"Mum...mum?" Rowan tugs on my sleeve as I make Kathryn's bottle. I look down at him.
"what?" I ask gently placing the lid on the bottle and handing it to Sebastian.
"I want to tell you something important." I wait a moment but he didn't continue.
"Alright, what do you want to tell me?"
"I love you." He answers with a smile, I smile back.
"I love you too Rowan."
"I need to tell you something else, I'm glad you let me be your baby, and being there to protect me lots."He wraps his arms around me.
"I'm glad you feel that way." I reply and lift Kathryn into my arms.
"Mum, can I see her, I love baby Kathryn." I sit down and Rowan climbs up beside me and looks at his sister grinning.
"Hello Kathryn, do you remember me, I'm Rowan, I'm your big brother." Kathryn gazed up at him as she drank. I love my children and I'm glad they're able to love each other.
"Can I please hug her mum?" He asks hopefully and I can't possibly refuse his request.
"gently, remember she's very little." My heart melts when my son rests his head on Kathryn's for a second or two before kissing the top of her head. Kathryn giggles and reaches out to him.
"Mum, she likes me, look she's happy to have hugs."
"I see that, I think she wants you to feed her." Rowan's crimson eyes light up instantly.
"Mum, could I please, I will be very careful with her and I will not be mean." I smile at him.
"I don't see why not, sit down the right way and I'll help you." Rowan nods and sits as I've asked. I reposition myself and instruct him on how to hold the baby.
"I'm going to put her head on your arm, hold her close to you, the rest of her can be on the chair but her head has to be on your arm, then you tilt the bottle and let her drink." I help him position her and watch him feed her.
"Mum, I'm doing it, I'm feeding baby Kathryn, look at me I'm helping!" He beams with pride. I also feel my heart fill with the same emotion. I find myself feeling grateful that the camera is on the stand . I can't resist taking a photograph of my children. As i take it, At the last possible second, Rowan grins widely and shows his teeth and Kathryn smiled up at him. I hope it turns out.
"I'm very excited Mum, I'm happy to have my sisters and brothers."
"I'm glad." It's not long before I hear Vincent shouting for me.
"Mommy!" He cries out sorrowfully.
"What's wrong Vincent?" I shout back.
"Puppy is trying to eat my toys!" I sigh and take Kathryn from Rowan who bows his head sadly.
"I'm sorry Rowan, but I have to go rescue those toys." I say putting Kathryn in her bed.
"Oh. Can I help?"
"Rowan, I don't know what you can do, I just-" tears filled his eyes.
"Alright, I'll get them away from Pluto and you take them to your room."
"Okay,I can do it!" He jumps into my arms and we begin the quest to save the toys.