Chapter 26 - Here we are again

"Honey, hold my hand." Ava let her mother take her small hand into her own as they walked into the huge hotel. Seth, with a sleeping Casey in his arms, walked ahead. There were a lot of people in the entrance and reception; much more than when Summer had been there the last time.

"Summer, do you want to sit with the kids while I check us in?" Seth pointed at an elegant group of furniture not far from where they were. It was a very typical hotel for them; everything big, expensive and not very much fun for the kids. Though they always tried to find a good hotel for them but hotels weren't built for kids.

"Sure. Ava, we'll sit over there." Summer let go of her daughter's hand to take Casey into her arms. Seth carefully lifted him over to his wife and then went for the long line in the reception.

"Mommy; I hate to wait though I like hotels." Ava said as she tried to sit comfortable on the sofa, which didn't work out too well. A six year old could never sit still, not this one anyway. Summer sat in the corner of the sofa Ava crawled all over, not able to decide where she wanted to sit. Casey was still asleep in Summer's lap and she stoke his hair as she tried to get Ava more quiet.

"I want to go over to daddy."

"You can't Ava; the queue is very long. Why don't you try to sleep you too? The flight was pretty long, don't you think?" Ava sat up and crept close to Summer so that her head was resting on Summer's waist as her arm went round Ava.

"You're cosy mommy. I'm not tired, but can you tell me a story, please?" Ava knew how to work on her mother and she also knew that she wouldn't say no.

"Sure sweetie, what do you wanna hear?"

"About you and daddy. Please?" Summer wasn't exactly a fan of those stories; she liked Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty more. Seth was the one to tell her these stories, but then again she couldn't say no. Her daughter was just too cute.

"Okay then. You wanna hear about when he took me sailing?" Ava quickly nodded. "It was the last summer before college…"

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"Casey, just eat one more bite; it's your favourite food." Seth tried as the whole family sat in the hotel restaurant. They had just stayed at the hotel because to take two kids, who had travelled the same day, out to town was not a good idea.

"I'm not hungry." Casey decisively kept his mouth shut. Seth sighed and put the spoon down and looked over at his girls. They had both finished their food. Neither of them had eaten everything at their plates but he could tell that they were finished. Ava wasn't a big eater; she was a kid, and Summer just never ate it all.

"I guess everyone's ready to head upstairs then." Summer smiled at him, not because of what he'd said but just because she was so happy that he was there.

"Yeah, let's go. We can read a bedtime story for you guys." Summer suggested and stood up, helping Seth with Casey. He always loved for them to carry him and she figured that she could do it for once. So Summer took Casey in her arms while Seth grabbed Ava's hand.

They made their way up to their room, or what you couldn't call it. It wasn't exactly a room, there were several rooms. Seth and Summer helped the kids get ready for bed and then they all lay down in the bed where Casey and Ava were supposed to sleep.

"Since I already told a story today, maybe daddy can do it now?" Summer looked pleadingly at Seth and smiled. He sighed but mumbled an okay as they made themselves comfortable. Seth and Summer lay on each side of their kids; Casey next to Summer and Ava next to Seth.

"Once upon a time..." Seth started and watched his family as they listened carefully. "...there was a boy. He was a pretty lucky boy, you would think; he was rich and had a great family. But there was one thing he was missing; friends. And it wasn't because he was weird or smelled bad or anything like that. He just weren't the typical type that everyone wanted to be friends with.

But one day, when he was sixteen years old, he got a friend; his first friend ever. The boy was a lucky guy; his new friend was the greatest of friends and he helped him in so many ways. Not to mention to get his dream girl; the princess. Even though the boy wasn't a prince charming for the princess, she still liked him. And after that, the boy was the happiest boy ever because he knew that he never would be alone again." Seth stopped talking and it seemed like Casey was sleeping at least; Ava almost. Summer turned around so that she lay on her side with her face towards Seth.

"Why is that that we always tell our kids autobiographical stories?"

"I don't know; it's the easiest way. Who can remember stories in their heads?"

"Yeah, but I think you made a mistake in your story."

"Really?"

"Yes, the boy was the girl's prince charming." She smiled as a smile crept upon his face. He placed his arm carefully over their kids to caress her cheek with his hand.

"Well, the girl surely was a princess and still is."

"What happened with the queen?" Summer said, playing offended.

"Right, the girl is now a queen since she's married and has got an own princess now."

"That's what I thought." Summer gently pulled some hair out of her daughter's face and she looked like she was sleeping.

"She's asleep?"

"Yeah." Summer carefully got up from the bed and pulled the covers over the children. Seth got up too and they both kissed their kids goodnight.

"Come." Seth took Summer's hand and led her out of the room. She willingly fallowed, loving the feeling of holding his hand. To hold a persons hand could be so wonderful. And when it was Seth it felt even better. Them holding hands showed that they were together and even if it was so simple it meant so much in the heart.

"How are you doing?" He asked as they were in the 'living room'. He placed both his hands on either side of her shoulders and looked her straight in her eyes.

"I'm okay. I'm glad that you're here with me this time."

"Me too. You tired?"

"Yeah." They slowly made their way into their bedroom next to the kids.

To be continued…

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