Well guys, we're baaaaaaaaaaaack!! This goes into the beginning of Brighton! Lots of stuff will be happening soon so make sure you stick around!
Josh sighed as he dug into the dresser where they kept Casey's swim costume and summer clothes. His wife was supposed to have packed the kids' bags last night, but as usual, she hadn't come home until half past three that morning, and was gone again five hours later.
Lizzy had been working overtime constantly as of late, and Josh felt like he'd hardly seen his wife in ages.
"Da," Casey cooed from the floor where she was playing with her blocks. "Hi, hi!"
"Hi baby," Josh smiled at his daughter. "What are you building down there?"
"Cas-el," Casey replied.
"A castle?" Josh asked, setting the little garments on the bed. "How about Daddy helps you?"
Casey nodded eagerly. "Da hep."
"Daddy would love to help," Josh squatted down. "But that's only if your brothers stay asleep."
Casey put her little finger to her lips. "Shhhh...."
Josh grinned at her. "That's my smart girl, Case."
Josh helped Casey build a pyramid and she looked in awe as her father built a tower around it.
"Big," Casey said, clapping her little hands together.
"Very big," Josh agreed. "When we go to Brighton, we'll build a sand castle."
"Oooh," Casey's eyes grew big. "Beach?"
Josh nodded and tweaked her nose. "With Emma and Hannah and Caroline. Would you like that?"
Casey nodded. "Go now!"
Josh smiled at her. "We'll go right after Mummy gets home."
"Kay," Casey said, knocking over the tower.
Josh laughed. "That's my girl."
Casey giggled as her father stood up and began putting her clothes into one of the bags on the dresser.
"No-ah!" Casey squealed when her brother peered at her from the crib. "Da! No-ah!"
"Ahhhh, so monster number two is up..." Josh grinned as Noah used the bars on his crib to pull himself up.
Noah yawned as Josh picked him up.
"You still sleepy little guy?" Josh asked.
Noah nodded and buried his face in Josh's shoulder.
"You can go back to sleep," Josh patted his back. "Like Aidan."
"No!" Casey said tugging on her father's leg. "Beach!"
Josh shook his head. "We go to the beach when Mummy comes home."
"No-ah help Casey," Casey said motioning toward the blocks.
"How about you help your sister make a castle?" Josh asked Noah.
Noah nodded and Josh set him down. "You two be good. Daddy will be right back."
"Bye Daddy," Casey waved.
Josh gave them one last look before heading down the corridor toward his office.
He grabbed some of his papers he wanted to take with and put them in his case. He had been thinking about writing a follow up to his book and Brighton would be the perfect time to sit back and look over his notes.
"Josh?" Lizzy called out. "Where are you?"
He was surprised to hear her home so early. "In my office," he replied.
Lizzy came into the room and smiled at him. "Hiya, stranger."
"Hey," Josh said. "I'm just getting the kids packed."
The smile fell from Lizzy's face. "Um, Josh...about that..."
Josh stared at his wife. "Don't even tell me you're not coming."
Lizzy looked down at the floor. "We're already short a few healers and when Pansy asked if I could work this weekend, I---"
"Liz," Josh said in dismay. "This is our only holiday time we have all year."
"I'm not going to miss the whole holiday," Lizzy tried to reassure him. "Just the first few days. If you're worried that you'll be overwhelmed with the kids by yourself, you'll have your folks there to help..."
"They're not coming this year," Josh reminded her. "You know that."
"Oh," Lizzy said sheepishly. "Um, well Allie and Jon would help and Nick and Jules..."
"But I want you there," Josh said quietly. "You're my wife and I've hardly seen you in a month."
"That's not true," Lizzy argued. "We've seen each other, Josh."
"When we say goodnight and good morning," Josh pointed out.
Lizzy sighed. "That's not true. Look, you know how demanding my job is. You took this extended leave of absence from yours to write your book and to stay with the children. I'm not going to have you make me feel guilty for that."
"I'm not trying to make you feel guilty," Josh said angrily. "But lately it seems your job is more important to you than we are!"
Lizzy looked at him as if he'd slapped her. "Oh yes, comments like that aren't designed to make me feel guilty! You know how much you and the kids mean to me."
Josh shook his head. "Look, do what you want then."
Casey and Noah had toddled down the hall when they heard their mother's voice. "Mama," Casey said softly.
Lizzy spun around. "Look at you two," she said, a smile on her face.
Casey held her arms up. "Mama home!"
Lizzy lifted Casey up first then hugged Noah to her. "I missed my babies," she said, turning her back to her husband.
"Don't you think you should tell them?" Josh asked bitterly.
"Let's go see if Aidan's up," Lizzy said to her children.
"Kay," Noah said happily.
Casey shook her head. "Go beach."
"You're going to go in just a bit," Lizzy promised. "But I'm not going to come until later, baby."
"Go now," Casey said stubbornly.
"In just a minute, sweetheart," Lizzy said patting her back. "We need to make sure you're packed."
"They are," Josh said quietly. "I did it."
"Mama go too," Casey said as Lizzy set her and Noah down.
"Sweetheart," Lizzy said sitting down with them. "Mummy has to work, but I promise I'll come in a couple of days."
"No," Casey pouted.
"Case," Lizzy said softly. "You know I'd rather be with you, but Mummy has to help make sure no one gets sick or hurt."
Josh wanted to say he knew how his daughter felt but stayed silent.
Noah rested his head on his mother's shoulder. "Love, Mama."
"I love you too," Lizzy kissed the top of his head. "I'll miss you three so much."
Aidan started to stir and Josh stepped past them to get his other son. "Hey, little guy."
"Da," Aidan blinked and rubbed his eyes.
"Did you pack their toys, too?" Lizzy asked.
"Yes," Josh said testily. "I'm capable of packing everything."
Lizzy ignored his tone. "I didn't say you weren't."
"Fine," Josh said tersely.
"Fine," Lizzy echoed. "Hey, Casey, Noah. Do you want to carry anything special with you that Daddy might have forgotten?"
"Bear," Noah pointed to his crib.
Lizzy grinned. It was one of the teddy bears that Lizzy's parents had given to each of the triplets. "We can't forget your bear."
"My bear too!" Casey said.
"Yours, too," Lizzy said standing up and retrieving the bears. "Where's Aidan's?"
"Downstairs I think," Josh replied, shrinking the bags down and putting them in his pocket.
"We'll get it on the way out," Lizzy said picking up Casey.
Josh feigned a bit of shock. "You mean you'll help drop them off?"
Lizzy glared at him. "Come on, then."
Josh held Aidan and Noah while Lizzy carried Casey to the fireplace. "Ready guys?" he asked his sons.
Noah nodded. "Beach!"
"That's my smart boy," Lizzy grinned at her son.
Aidan put his arms around Josh's neck. "Em."
"You want to go see Em?" Josh asked. "She'll be there tonight too! I bet she'll play blocks with you lot."
Casey grinned. "Em!"
Josh managed to toss a pinch of Floo powder into the fireplace and held on tightly to his sons as they headed for the Brighton house.
Casey held on tightly to Lizzy and didn't let go. Once they arrived at the beach house, she looked up at her mother. "No like."
"Come on baby," Lizzy coaxed. "It's a nice house!"
"She doesn't like travelling by Floo," Josh said quietly.
"Oh," Lizzy looked down at her daughter. "I'm sorry baby."
"Hello, Josh," Hermione said coming out of the kitchen. "Lizzy! And look at you three!"
"Hi Aunt Hermione," Josh smiled at her. "Thanks for inviting us again this year."
Hermione took Aidan and placed a kiss on his cheek. "We couldn't have a holiday without these three," Hermione said grinning at the toddler. "Julie and Nick and the girls arrived a few minutes ago."
Lizzy noticed how Josh's eyes lit up at the mention of Julie and she rolled her eyes.
"Great," he said. "We can't wait to hit the beach in a little while."
Noah held out his hand to Hermione. "Em?"
Hermione laughed. "They're not here yet, sweetheart."
"I want Em," Casey said as Lizzy set her down.
"I should get back," she said quietly.
"You're not staying?" Hermione asked.
Lizzy shook her head. "I have to work, but I'll be back in a couple of days."
"Such a shame," Josh said sarcastically.
"It's two days Josh," Lizzy argued, trying to remain calm.
"Fine," Josh replied coolly. "Have fun."
"I'm just going to check and see if Julie needs any help unpacking," Hermione said putting Aidan down.
"Come on you three," Josh said. "Let Daddy show you your room."
"Mama," Casey said tugging at Lizzy's leg. "Mama stay."
"I'm sorry sweetheart," Lizzy crouched down and kissed her daughter's forehead. "But you'll have so much fun on the beach with Daddy and Noah and Aidan tomorrow!"
"Come on, Case," Josh said. "Mummy will be back...hopefully."
"Josh!" Lizzy stood up and glared at him. "That is completely uncalled for!"
Josh knew he'd gone too far, but he couldn't help it. He was angry at Lizzy. She'd known about this holiday for weeks, yet she still volunteered to work. But, he shouldn't have said anything derogatory in front of their children.
"I'm sorry," he apologised. "Casey, Mummy will be here in two days. And then she'll go on the beach with us and we'll have lots of fun. Right, guys?"
"Mummy stay," Casey poked her lower lip out.
Lizzy felt tears welling up in her eyes. "Baby, I really want to, but I can't."
"Come on," Josh said quietly. "Let's get them settled in."
Lizzy carried Casey upstairs. "I think you're sharing a room with Emma and Hannah, Casey."
"With Em?" Casey brightened a bit.
Lizzy nodded. "With Em."
"And you boys get your own room." Josh said.
"No Case," Aidan said waving at his sister over Josh's shoulder.
"Bye, bye," Casey giggled as she waved to her brothers.
Lizzy carried her daughter into the room where she'd be staying with Emma and Hannah. There was a crib and two small twin beds set up in the small room.
"Isn't this nice, sweetheart?" she asked.
Casey nodded. "Yes!"
Lizzy heard someone bounding up the stairs and she turned to see Emma coming toward them.
"Em here Casey!" Emma squealed.
"Em!" Casey reached for her cousin. "Em here!"
Lizzy set her daughter down and Emma gave her a big hug. "Em missed Casey soooo much!"
Allison came into the room and grinned at her best friend. "Hey, Lizzy. Emma couldn't wait to get here. She barely slept last night."
"Josh told me Casey's been excited all day," Lizzy replied.
Allison looked quizzically at her friend while their two girls played. "Liz, is everything okay?"
"Not really," Lizzy sighed. "But unfortunately, I don't have time to explain."
Allison frowned when she noticed her friend was still dressed in her healer robes. "You've got to work?"
Lizzy nodded. "I'll be here in a few days."
"We'll miss you, but we'll all give Josh a hand," Allison promised.
"Thanks," Lizzy said. She knelt down next to her daughter. "I love you baby. I'll see you in two days okay?"
"Kay," Casey replied more interested in playing with Emma at the moment.
"Give Mummy a kiss," Lizzy said.
Casey turned her head and pecked her mother on the cheek.
"Em take good care of Casey," Emma promised.
"Thank you Emma," Lizzy smiled at her niece. She followed Allison out of the room so she could say goodbye to her sons.
Josh was showing his sons the ocean view when Allison and Lizzy came into the room.
"Mummy has to go," Lizzy said, not looking at her husband. "Come say goodbye."
Aidan and Noah toddled over to their mother and she enveloped them both in a big hug. "You be good for Daddy and everyone, okay?"
"Love Mama," Noah said.
"Mama," Aidan nodded, patting her cheek. "Love."
Lizzy smiled at them both. "I love you, too, my boys."
Allison smiled. "They're so sweet Liz."
"They're my boys," Lizzy said softly.
She looked up at her husband but he had already turned back to the window. "I'll see you in a few days," she said quietly to Josh.
"Yeah," Josh said shrugging his shoulders.
Lizzy sighed and left the room, Allison on her heels. "What was that all about?"
Lizzy shook her head. "I don't know. Apparently, I'm a bad mother and a terrible wife."
"That isn't true," Allison replied.
"Tell Josh that," Lizzy said wiping at her eyes. "I have to work. If I could get out of it, I would. But we're short-handed as it is."
"He understands," Allison gave her friend a hug. "You know Josh. He's always been a bit moody. He loves you and the kids more than anything."
"Thanks, Allie," Lizzy said hugging her back.
"Go on," Allison said. "The sooner you get to work, the sooner you can finish and get back here for your holiday!"
Lizzy nodded. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"I'll talk to Josh," Allison promised.
Lizzy didn't know what good it would do, but she gave her friend one last hug before going back over to the fireplace.
Meanwhile, Hannah, Frankie and Will were driving to the Brighton beach house. Even though she was tired, she didn't dare go to sleep because she didn't want to miss one moment of this experience.
Frankie was bored. "Remind me again why we're driving instead of Flooing?"
"Part of the family trip experience is the road trip," Will explained. "And look at Hannah."
Frankie had to smile as she peeked back at her daughter, who was enthralled by the passing scenery. "Are you having fun back there baby?"
"Hmmm?" Hannah asked.
Frankie laughed. "We'll be there pretty soon. Are you excited?"
Hannah nodded. "This is my first holiday, Mummy!"
"And I'm sure you're going to have the best time ever," Frankie replied.
"We're going to do so much that you'll go to bed knackered every single night," Will promised.
Hannah giggled. "I already can't wait, Daddy!"
Will turned the car onto the street that led to the beach house. "Hannah, if you look to your left, you'll see the ocean."
Hannah yelped excitedly and pressed her face to the window. "I see it!"
Frankie giggled and shared a look with Will.
"It's so big!" Hannah said excitedly. "And I see waves!"
"Wait until we get you out on the boat," Frankie told her.
Hannah sat back, a happy smile on her face. "Will we go really, really fast?"
"If you want," Will replied.
Hannah nodded. "And I want to go on the beach with Em!"
"Allie told me Caroline helped Emma make a list of all that she wanted to do with you," Frankie said with a grin.
Hannah giggled. "Emma's so funny."
Will pulled the car into the drive and Hannah waved excitedly at Caroline and Katie who were on the front porch.
Frankie helped her daughter out of the car. "Let's go in and unpack before we do anything else, okay? We don't want any of our clothes to be wrinkled."
"Okay, Mummy," Hannah said.
"Hey Hannah!" Caroline called out. "Hi Aunt Frankie! Uncle Will!"
"Hi Caroline!" Hannah said excitedly.
"We're waiting to go on the beach," Katie explained. "What difference does it make if we're settled in?"
Will laughed. "It's an adult thing," he joked.
"Must be," Katie said looking longingly at the ocean.
"Come on you two," Frankie said. "The sooner you unpack, the sooner you can get out there!"
"Where's Em?" Hannah asked.
"Upstairs with Casey," Caroline replied. "I can show you your room if you'd like."
"Okay," Hannah agreed eagerly.
"I'll be up in a few minutes with your bag," Frankie promised.
"Thanks Mummy," Hannah said, running inside with Caroline and Katie.
"Wait until you see Casey," Caroline told her cousin. "She has on the cutest little red and white shirt and shorts."
Hannah grinned at her. "I didn't even really sleep last night cause I was so excited about today."
"Em, too," Caroline said leading the way down the hall. "Em! Hannah's here!"
"Han!" Emma shrieked excitedly. "Han come see our room!"
Hannah giggled as she came into the room. "Oh! My bed is purple just like at home!"
"This is Casey's bed," Emma pointed to the crib.
"Han!" Casey said waving at her.
"Hi Casey," Hannah smiled at her as Frankie brought her little purple suitcase into the bedroom.
"Frack," Emma said giving her aunt a hug.
"Hey Em," Frankie kissed her niece on the cheek. "And hello there Miss Casey!"
"I love it here already, Mummy," Hannah announced.
"I'm glad sweetheart," Frankie said. "Do you want me to help you unpack?"
Hannah nodded. "Please."
"Em wants to go swimming," Emma announced. "Han, hurry!"
"I-I don't know how to swim," Hannah admitted shyly.
"Daddy and I will help you," Frankie assured her.
"Okay," Hannah said smiling at her mother.
Caroline, Emma, Casey and Katie walked out of the room to find Allison so they could get ready for the beach.
Hannah helped her mother take her clothes out of her bag.
"And now you get to show off your pretty new swim costume," Frankie told her.
"I've never had one of those before," Hannah said sitting down on the edge of her bed.
"Purple is your colour, dahling," Frankie teased, holding it up.
Hannah giggled. "Mummy!"
Frankie helped her change and Hannah stood impatiently while Frankie plaited her hair.
"You remind me so much of me when I was little," Frankie said. "I couldn't wait to do everything."
"I do?" Hannah asked. "Really, Mummy?"
"You do," Frankie said smiling at her.
"I'm glad," Hannah said as Frankie helped her put on the matching cover up. "Cause I think you're the bestest."
"I think you're the bestest too," Frankie said giving her daughter a hug. "You're the most important person in the world to me, baby."
"I love you a whole lot," Hannah said, hugging her tightly.
"I love you too," Frankie said. "And I should go and get changed too so we can get you out to the beach for the very first time."
"Okay!" Hannah clapped her hands excitedly. "Can I help you pick out a swim costume?"
"Of course," Frankie said. "Let's go pick one out."
"I love to pick out clothes," Hannah said as they went into Frankie and Will's bedroom.
Will groaned. "You've got her trained already?"
Frankie laughed. "It's good to get them started young, William."
"I don't think my money pouch can take it," Will teased. "And look at you- all ready for the beach!"
"Mummy said you would teach me how to swim," Hannah told him.
"I sure will," he promised.
Frankie opened her suitcase and retrieved the four suits she'd brought with her. "Okay, Hannah. What do you think?"
"Um..." Hannah looked deep in thought. "I like the red one."
"My favourite too," Will said winking at his wife.
Frankie laughed. "I'll change and be right out."
"Did you pack the sun block?" Will asked her.
"Yes," Frankie called from the loo. "It's in my green bag."
"Sweetheart, you stay here," Will told his daughter. "I'm going to get us some bottles of water and some towels."
"Okay Daddy," Hannah sat down on the edge of the bed.
Hannah couldn't help but think of her mother. They'd always talked about the places they wanted to go. Her mother always talked about going to the ocean.
As much as Hannah loved being with Will and Frankie, a big part of her still missed her mother and wished she were here too.
"Hannah Emily," she could still hear her mother say. "One day I'll take you to the beach and we'll get our feet in the sand and we'll get ice cream and play all day."
"Ice cream sounds good," Hannah said softly.
"What's that baby?" Frankie asked coming back into the bedroom.
Hannah shook her head wordlessly.
"Are you ready to go?" Frankie asked her. "Hey---what is it?"
Hannah opened her mouth but no words came out. Her eyes filled with tears and she shook her head again.
Frankie pulled Hannah into her arms. "Sweetheart, why are you so sad?"
"My mummy told me we would go to the beach one day," Hannah whispered.
Frankie patted Hannah's back. "Oh, baby. You wish she was here with you."
"I'm sorry," Hannah buried her face in Frankie's shoulder.
"It's okay," Frankie said softly. "You don't have to apologise."
"But I want to be here with you too," Hannah said. "I want to be with you and my real mummy."
Frankie squeezed her daughter's hand. "I know you do. And in some ways you are. Your mother is right here in your heart. And you can talk to her whenever you want to. Your Grandma Cho lost her parents when she was a little older than you are right now. And you know what she used to do when she missed her mum and dad? She used to just go outside in the backyard in our garden and just talk to them. I didn't really understand then, but now I do."
Hannah let out a shuddery sigh. "Sometimes I think my mummy can hear me when I talk to her."
"She can," Frankie said looking up to see Will in the doorway. "And you know you can talk to her whenever you want to, baby."
Hannah nodded, still holding onto Frankie.
"You ready to go out on the beach for the very first time?" Frankie asked softly.
"I think so," Hannah nodded, wiping her eyes.
"Good," Frankie said picking her up.
Will smiled at them. "We're all set."
Hannah managed a tremulous smile at her parents. "Are we going to go right in the water?"
"We can do whatever you want to do first," Will replied.
"Can we see what Em is doing first?" Hannah ventured.
Will grinned. "She was eating a bag of crisps on the front porch waiting for you."
Hannah smiled again, but it was less trembly this time. "I bet it was a big bag."
"Nearly as big as her," Will laughed, leading the way out of the bedroom. Sure enough the little redhead was sitting on the front step with Jon, sharing a bag of crisps. Max was sitting at her feet, waiting for her to drop one.
"No, Maxi," Emma said gleefully.
Max's tail wagged and he let out a short bark.
"Oh come on Em," Jon teased his daughter. "Let poor Maxi have a crisp."
"Mmm kay," Emma said dropping a couple of crisps on the ground. "Cause Em loves Maxi."
Hannah smiled as Max gobbled them up. "Thanks for waiting for me Em."
Emma looked over at her cousin. "Han sad?"
Hannah shook her head. "Not anymore. I like your swimming costume!"
Emma was dressed in a little green two piece. "Han looks pretty too!"
"Let's put some sunscreen on you before we go out," Frankie said.
"Em you need some too," Jon told his daughter.
"Where's Allie?" Frankie asked Jon.
"She went ahead with Caroline and Katie," Jon said. "Emma decided to wait for Hannah."
"And Frack," Emma added.
Frankie grinned at her niece. "Thanks Emma. You are going to have to help us tell Hannah all the fun stuff we can do."
"We can swim," Emma said. "And build castles in the sand!"
Hannah grinned. "I can't wait!"
"There's my favourite Hannah smile," Frankie said to her daughter.
Hannah grinned. "Let's go, Mummy."
The five of them, along with Max, headed down the beach to where everyone was set up.
Hannah's eyes grew large as she saw the waves crashing to the shore. It was even prettier than she imagined.
"We go swim in there," Emma pointed. "It's fun!"
"Did you put sunscreen on Em?" Allison asked Jon, from her spot under the big umbrella where she was sitting with Adam.
"Yeah," Jon dropped the bag next to her. "She's covered."
Emma walked over to check on Adam. "Adam kay?"
"Adam's fine, baby." Allison replied. "You go on and have fun with your sister and cousins."
Emma pecked Adam on the cheek. "Love you. Be back really soooooon!"
Adam gurgled and waved his arms at his sister as she ran off.