Thank you guys for reading and reviewing! :D Dedicated to Clarkeyfangirl for her help, and also my daaaarling Cookie ;) xx

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"Hello boys! Busy, are we?" Tanya called through the open front door.

Syed threw a warning look at Christian before calling back, "Hey Tan, we're just doing some painting. Careful, we've just finished the doorframe!"

They watched as Tanya gingerly stepped through the newly painted doorway in her wedges, smartly dressed as usual, and wrestling with a modest bouquet of oriental lilies in a plum-coloured vase.

"I just wanted to pop in before I went back to the salon to see how you're getting on in your new place! And here's just a little housewarming present from me and Greg; just off Jean's stall so they're nice and fresh..." she paused for breath, quickly glancing round the room.

"Er, don't suppose there's anywhere..."

Syed ran forward and took the vase out of Tanya's hands.

"They're beautiful, thank you. I'm sure we'll find a place to put them!" he smiled, stepping over the paint tins and blobs of fallen paint on the floor to carefully place the flowers beside the sink.

"Alright Tan? Ignore the mess; it's a work in progress!" Christian moved forward with his arms open, but Tanya put her hand up.

"You know I'd love to hug you both, but I have to be back at the salon in ten minutes and I don't think the clients would take me seriously if I was covered in paint!" she laughed, opting for a friendly pat on the shoulder. She then stepped around him and tip-toed around the room, taking it in.

"It's lovely, isn't it? Well, it will be, when you've finished. Love the colour you've chosen! Oh, can't wait to see it when it's finished. You'll have to have me round once you do, for a proper tour!" Syed wondered how close she was to actually bouncing up and down with excitement. It was infectious, though, and he grinned back fondly.

"I don't suppose you've set a date for the wedding yet? I haven't heard anything about it since the engagement! You're going to invite everyone you know, right? I can just see it now...a huge ceremony, both of you in your gorgeous ivory tuxedos...oh, and you'll have to have a memorable reception as well. The Vic's a bit boring, isn't it? I'm sure we'll think of something...sorry, getting a bit carried away, I'm just excited about it all...ignore me!"

Christian and Syed shared another look, Christian amused; Syed bewildered.

"Well, Tan, nothing's really been discussed yet...I mean, we can't really set a date until I'm divorced, and we haven't even told my parents yet..."

"Of course, of course. Well, you know, if you're stuck for ideas, you can always call on your unofficial wedding planner!"

Syed wondered when they had agreed to have Tanya as a wedding planner, but decided to indulge her.

"Of course we will. And you'll be the first to know when we've set a date, naturally."

"Excellent. Whoops, need to head off now, Jodie will be wondering where I've got to. See you in the morning, Sy!" And as quickly as she'd arrived, she left, tottering back through the doorframe.

They waited to hear the door close, but no such sound came. Instead, they heard Tanya murmur a greeting to someone just outside the flat, and moments later, Tamwar appeared where Tanya had just been, shuffling awkwardly through the door with a bag around his shoulder, and none other than little Kamil beside him, gripping tightly onto his hand.

"Er, sorry if this is a bad time, but..."

"No, no, come in! Excuse the mess, we've been painting all morning. Careful, doorframe's still wet. Alright, Kamil?" Syed crouched down to his level and held out his palm for Kamil to touch it with his own.

"High-five, yay!"

Kamil looked at him, bemused, before smiling shyly. Hearing Christian chuckle behind him, Syed turned and beamed at him, before grabbing Tamwar's arm and pulling him in. Kamil released himself from Tamwar's grip and promptly sat down next to a closed paint tin, picking up a paintbrush and proceeding to hit at the tin.

"Syed, there's a reason I came round actually..." Tamwar started tentatively, before feeling Syed grab his shoulders and hold him in place, in the centre of the room.

"What do you think? It'll obviously look better when the walls are done and the plastic cover's off...but it's a start, right? I mean, you can imagine what it'll be like when it's finished, no?"

Tamwar shrugged him off, checking his shoulders for paint. "Yeah, it's, er, very nice...Syed, I need to ask you something..."

Syed turned to look at him, a questioning look in his eyes.

"What is it, Tam?"

"Er, I have a shift at the Argee Bargee in about 20 minutes, mum is having a lie down and dad's gone AWOL. I wondered if you could, well..." he gestured at the bag he was carrying.

"Would you look after Kamil for just a few hours? I'll give him back to mum once she's had a rest, it's this headache she has, she'll be better once she has a bit of a nap..."

Syed frowned.

"Tam, look at the state of the place. I can't look after Kamil in here...everything's covered in either plastic or paint! There's not even anything he can play with, aside from the paint tins," he protested, raising his voice slightly as Kamil became more enthusiastic in his drumming.

"No, it's okay; there are toys in the bag, along with food and anything else you might need. It's only for two hours, tops. Please, Syed."

Syed looked at his brother and felt his resolve crumble.

"Alright then..."

Tamwar thanked them both profusely before rushing back out the door. Both Syed and Christian looked over at Kamil, who had somehow managed to make it over to another tin of paint which was open, and dip the paintbrush in it. He looked at Syed questioningly, holding out the paintbrush momentarily, before turning it to his other hand and painting it white.

"Don't worry," Christian said, sensing Syed's despondency. He walked towards him and took both his hands in his own. "We'll find something for him to do. He could have a nap maybe. Or even help us paint! You'd like that wouldn't you, Kamil?" he added, turning to look at the small toddler, who had now turned his attentions to the wall, drawing lines of white over the yellow. Syed resisted the urge to sigh, squeezing Christian's hands instead before turning his attention to his little brother, who was making quick work of his masterpiece. It looked to them like the redecorating would take longer than they thought.