Hey all, here's the next chapter, hope you all like it, don't forget to leave a review!
Much love…………
Having finally allowed her emotions to get the better of her, Paige had pushed her insecurities and worries to the back of her mind and was now determined that their trip would be an enjoyable one. However the kid's energetic enthusiasm about their first plane ride kept her busy for most of the morning.
It had taken her half an hour to convince Aiden that he didn't want to spend the day in his Spiderman pajamas, and so a lot of chasing and a few tears had ensued. Having finally managed to wrestle him into a pair of jeans, a sky blue t-shirt, a navy zip up jacket and his worn-in grey converse, she had settled him at the table with his toy cars.
Upon entering the kitchen, Paige was surprised to find that her youngest son was still sat at the table and had not gone looking for an 'adventure'. Warren, being the mommy's boy that he was, had taken it upon himself to entertain his baby brother and was now sat opposite him, rolling the toy cars across the table in an exuberant manner.
She let a grateful smile spread across her lips, before casting her eyes around the kitchen, looking for anything she might have missed. Pleased to see that everything was as it should be before they left, she turned to all out to her husband but before a word could pass her lips, Keira came racing in. She had insisted on dressing herself, resulting in a back to front t-shirt and a head of tousled curls. She came to a halt before her mother and began to jump up and down repeatedly.
"I is ready now mommy, can we go gets on the plane?"
"We have to wait for the cab to get here first sweetie"
Paige sat herself in an empty chair and gestured to her daughter.
"C'mere, while mommy fixes your hair"
As she always did, she approached her mother with the utmost enthusiasm, by skipping across the kitchen. Paige smirked at her daughter, before reaching down and righting her pink t-shirt. Taking out a brush from her near by handbag, she settled Keira between her legs, and began brushing her soft dark curls.
"Why is we going on a plane?"
"Because daddy needs to, for his work"
"Is daddy going to drive the plane?"
Paige's face broke into a grin.
"No sweetie, the pilot is"
"Why can't daddy?"
"Because your daddy doesn't know how to"
"Daddy doesn't know how to do what?"
At the sound of her husband's voice, Paige looked up to find him leaning against the doorframe, a small smile playing on his lips and one eyebrow raised in question. He was in his usual casual attire of low rise jeans and a white t-shirt that hugged his muscular chest. Happy that her mother had finished brushing her hair, Keira rushed forward into her father's arms.
"Mommy, says you can't drive the plane"
"Did she!"
He grinned at his wife, who only rolled her eyes in response.
"Yep"
"Well, you know what…"
Leaning forward he whispered into his daughters ear. Whatever he said, Keira obviously disagreed with, because before he could finished she had pulled away slightly, shaking her head with as much seriousness as the four year old could muster.
"No! Mommy doesn't lie, she's a good girl!"
Chuckling Kyle turned to his wife, only to find that she had not seen the interaction and instead had turned away, and was needlessly fiddling with the kitchen appliances dotted around the kitchen.
Placing his youngest daughter on the floor he nudged her in the direction of the stairs.
"Why don't you go get Sinead, hmm?"
"Okay!"
Her dark curls bouncing, Keira skipped off in search of her older sister. Kyle turned to his eldest son, and ruffled his mop of dark curls, causing them to sweep into his eyes.
"Warren, buddy why don't you and Aiden go feed the fish, before we leave"
The six year olds face broke out into a dimpled grin, identical to his father's at the suggestion. He nodded enthusiastically, sweeping his curls out of his deep chocolate orbs before reaching for his baby brother's hand. Pulling the two year old towards the living room, he babbled excitedly.
"C'mon Aiden, lets go feed Nemo and Dory"
Once both boys had left the kitchen, Kyle turned towards his wife. She had her back to him and was stood in front of the marble counter, her gaze focused on the back yard. He approached her slowly and wrapped his muscular arms around her waist, from behind. He held her tightly against him, her back pressing against his chest. Leaning down, he rested his chin on her delicate shoulder.
"You okay?"
She let a small smile pass across her lips, before answering.
"I've been better"
He nodded slightly and pressed a kiss against her soft cheek. He let out a small nervous cough and shifted slightly from one foot to the other. Curious to her husband's behavior, Paige turned in his arms so she was now leant against the counter, his hand resting on her hips. When he raised his eyes to meet hers, his expression was laced with seriousness and although it was barely there, she could hear the reluctance in his voice, when he spoke.
"If you want, I can send Adams instead, it's about time he had to sit through one of those dull meetings"
Their eyes still locked intensely, Paige considered his offer. She was very tempted by the suggestion, and longed for the relief that she knew would come if she accepted. She also knew, that her relief would be short lived, because one way or another, she would have to face the reality. Whether it would be in a few months, or a few years her past would come back to her, whether she wanted it to or not. And what confused her even more, was the part of her that did want it to come back. She wanted to see her sisters again. This one desire had been the most terrifying of all.
"No…"
She was surprised at how steady her voice was, and encouraged she carried on.
"I think a little vacation would be good"
Kyle's face broke out into a dimpled grin and he placed a chaste kiss to her lips.
"Anyway, San Francisco is a big place, what are the chances of bumping into them?"
She spoke more to herself to than him, and it was more for reassurance than anything. When she looked up from their entwined hands, she saw something flash across his face, but as quickly as it had come, it had gone again.
"You sure?"
Slowly she nodded her head and offered him a small smile.
"Yeah, I'm sure"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Keira's enthusiasm for her first plane ride disappeared completely as soon as it took off. She had clutched at her fathers arm and desperately tried to climb into his lap for the comfort she knew he would give. However, her safety belt was restraining her and, she had to settle with burying her face into his arm. Once the pilot had deemed it safe for the passengers to unbuckle their belts, she had scrambled into his arms and remained there for the majority of the journey.
However, her baby brother had thoroughly enjoyed the experience and spent the whole journey excitedly babbling away. Much to the chagrin of the people sat in front, he had refused to sit still and they had asked on several occasions that Paige do something about it. To Kyle's' amusement, all the grumpy woman had received was a icy glare and a sarcastic remark, courtesy of his wife.
Sooner than she expected Paige had found herself sat in the cab, a sleeping Keira on her lap, her face nestled into the crook of her neck. It was only 1 o'clock but the four year olds tears and distress had tired her out.
Paige's dark eyes gazed out the window, just a sheet of glass separating her from a place she recognized from her vivid memories. Eight years had felt like no time at all, but as her eyes roamed over the scenery that passed by, she realized that it was enough for everything to change. And it had. She felt Kyle rest a hand on her shoulder, and offered him a weak smile in response.
In less than 30 minutes they had pulled up outside their hotel for the week, and in another 15 were exploring the rooms given to them, courtesy of the L.A police department. After settling Keira into her bed, and the remaining three kids with a few toys, Kyle turned to his wife an apology on the verge of leaving his mouth. Rolling her eyes, Paige stopped him before he could say a word.
"Let me guess, you have some paperwork to collect?"
"You don't mind?"
"No, just make sure your back by five, so we can go for dinner"
"Promise"
He pulled her towards him, and pressed a sweet lingering kiss to her lips, ignoring the chorus of 'ewww' coming from the children. Pulling back he pressed another soft kiss to forehead and then the tip of her nose.
"Love you"
"I love you too"
He gave her a broad grin, before turning to the kids and pressing kisses to their heads. Giving her a brief hug, he waved goodbye to an animated Aiden and left.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Pulling up beside the large manor, Kyle turned the engine of the rental car off. He gave the impressive house a quick glance before pulling a scrap piece of paper off the seat beside him. Swiftly, his bright blue eyes scanned over the writing and pleased that he had found the desired location, let out a sigh. He pushed the piece of paper roughly into his pocket and with only a brief hesitation, climbed out the car.
Not giving himself the chance to stall, he went straight up the steps and before he knew it, he was knocking firmly on the door accompanied with a short ring of the bell. Within a matter of minutes, he heard the patter of light footsteps and the door was swung open.
The young girl that stood in the doorway, could have been no older than Keira. Her long chocolate hair was hung loosely in pigtails, either side of her innocent face. Her eyes, were a deep brown and, strangely Kyle felt as though he had seen them before.
"Hi, I'm Prue"
Chuckling lightly, Kyle kneeled down in front of the child, so they were at the same level.
"Hey, sweetheart, is your mommy home?"
"Yup"
Laughing lightly, Kyle watched as she ran off down the hall, calling out to her mother as she did so. A moment later, a middle aged woman came back down the corridor, the little girl resting on her hip. There was no doubt that she was the child's mother, the resemblance was uncanny. Her long chocolate hair cascaded down her back, framing her pretty features. Although her eyes were curious to the stranger's presence at her door, her smile was friendly.
"Mrs. Halliwell?"
The woman nodded slightly in response. Taking a deep breath, he continued.
"I'm Kyle Brody………Paige's husband"