Des booked a long weekend to Brighton for Sheelagh and himself then went home as it was the end of his shift. When he let himself in he heard talking in the sitting room and made his way there. He found all three of the kids there. They looked up when he entered.
"Good. I'm glad you're all here. Can I ask you all something?"
"Go ahead." Fintan said.
"Do you think your mum will go on a long weekend with me?" Des was uncertain.
"You really love her, don't you?" Siobhan replied.
Des nodded mutely.
"I don't see why she wouldn't." Fintan said thoughtfully.
"Us." Siobhan answered shortly.
"Oh, yeah. Are we staying with Dad, Des?" Declan asked.
"I spoke to your dad earlier and I don't actually remember him answering me ."
"Why? What happened?"
"We, uhhh, were arguing over your mum." Des looked down at his shoes.
"Who was arguing over me?" Sheelagh asked as she entered.
"Me and Patrick." Des muttered.
"Why were you and Patrick talking?"
"I'm gonna go and ring dad." Declan got up.
"I'll help you remember the number." Siobhan followed him.
"And I'll help in case you both forget." Fintan followed his younger siblings out of the room. Sheelagh stared at their backs as if they'd gone mad.
"I was talking to Patrick because," Sheelagh turned her attention back to Des, they were now both sitting on the sofa, "I wanted to know if the kids could stay with him while I took you for a long weekend to Brighton."
"You're taking me for a long weekend to Brighton?" Sheelagh smiled.
"Yeah, if you want, I mean, I, uh, thought it might give us some time on our own."
"Des, that's so thoughtful." Sheelagh took his head in her hands and kissed him gently. Des smiled when she pulled away and kissed her back.