Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story
Archibald walked downstairs while Collin and Mary were discussing who should be it with the game of HIDE AND SEEK they were about to play.
"Tell you what," he said, "I'm it"
"Really," Mary asked delighted.
Archibald loved his son and his niece/adopted daughter but it was rare that he would play with them.
"Of course," Archibald said, "but we can only stay in one area because it's safer that way… since it's such a huge house."
Collin and Mary looked at each other and exchanged a grin.
"What about the garden," Mary said
"I'm thinking that too," Collin said.
Archibald cleared his throat.
"Okay," he said, "but I don't want you going near the water and I don't want you going by the swing either"
The water was two dangerous. The kids were only 7 and his oldest child drowned when she was only 2 ½. The dizzy swing wasn't safe either. It was what killed Lily. There was no way he was willing to lose the last two people he loved.
The kids promised to stay away from the water and from the dizzy swing. There were plenty of great places to hide in the garden. Being in the garden was weird to Archie. After Lily died he NEVER came out there.
"Okay you kids go hide. I'll count to 100"
Collin hid in one of the mazes. Mary hid in the shed.
"Ready or not I'll find you," Archibald said
Collin laughed when he said that. It was fairly easy to find him. He just followed the sound of his laughter. Mary on the other hand was a bit harder to find. It took him and Collin a half an hour of looking before they could find her.
"This was fun," Mary said
"You should play with us more often,"
"I'd be delighted to," Archibald said, "How about every Friday from 10 to 12 we play some kind of game?"
"Will you play with us even if it isn't Friday if you're not busy," Mary asked.
Archibald ruffled her hair.
"Of course," he said
"10 AM right," Collin asked
Archibald laughed.
"Considering you're only 7 I think 10 PM is a little late"
And so began a new family tradition