Dinner had been its usual riotous affair. John had volunteered to feed Gordon, but the 8-month-old hadn't wanted any food. Or rather, he enjoyed throwing the mess at his brothers rather than putting it in his mouth.
Poor John, as the 'designated airplane' got the worst of it, so was currently (if she knew her second-born son well enough) luxuriating in a bath. Virgil had taken one look at the mountain of dishes and promptly disappeared, citing piano practice as his excuse. The almost five-year-old hating chores of any description.
Scott had rolled his eyes at the pair of them, given Gordon one of his brightly coloured fish toys which the baby was currently banging on the tray of his highchair and immediately began to clear the table. He didn't mind spending time doing chores with his Mom, sometimes it felt like it was the only time they got together without younger brothers. Gordon didn't count.
Lucy smiled fondly at her eldest. At eight years old Scott was beginning to branch out from his brothers, most evenings that summer being devoted to cycling with a couple of friends from school, but still he helped out around home where he could and often without prompting. He was such a good-natured boy.
While she wiped Gordon and the highchair down so he could continue his percussion session without making more mess Scott tuned the radio to Kansas FM. It was approaching their vintage hour and Lucy rather liked the tunes that her grandparents had grown up to.
They hummed together as the music softly played while the hot water filled the ancient butler sink, and they fell into an easy rhythm of Lucy washing and Scott drying.
And then the song started.
It was an instrumental introduction they both knew well. At the first three notes Scott turned up the sound and before the words had even started both were shaking their hips along to the beat.
Na na nana na na na.
Gordon stopped banging and giggled at them.
Scott bumped hips with his Mom and Lucy laughed.
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
Scott grabbed the washing up brush and leaning forwards as if he was singing into a mic sang the verse at the top of his voice while shimmying around the kitchen.
As he sang Lucy, arms raised above her head, began to dance around the kitchen table, stopping to give Gordon's locks a little ruffle. Gordon squealed. She made it back to Scott as he finished singing and took the 'mic' from him and sung the next verse.
As the instrumental part began again with the chorus Scott grabbed his Mom's hand and pulled her into a loose waltz. The beat wasn't quite right, however, and Lucy took the lead, letting go and twisting on the spot. They twisted and jived around each other until they were back with Gordon, and Lucy held the 'mic' out for him.
Gordon, delighted that they were involving him, made a grab for the brush but Lucy was holding it beyond his reach. In turn he banged his fish down and screamed at the top of his lungs. The piercing sound went right through them but Scott laughed and once more twirled his Mom around.
Lucy came up under her son's arm and straight into the arms of her husband. Jeff, who had been watching with increasing amusement and pride in his eldest, stepped in to a little bebop around the table. Scott, grinning his head off, picked Gordon up and held his hand as if they were going to waltz, jigging him up and down to increasing laughter.
Eventually the song stopped. Everyone was slightly breathless and laughing. Lucy plucked Gordon out of Scott's arms and the three of them collapsed on chairs around the table.
Jeff looked his family over. Lucy's eyes were sparkling and Scott's were too. Gordon now had hiccups. Getting up, he stood behind them and pulled them into a hug.
What a great thing to come home to.