Behind The Church

LI

Audrey

While Tina and Kate are away, I, we, are looking after Ruth and Zoey. Khrystyna volunteered herself and I could not thank her more for that. Also, Quinn and Connie pop in now and again, just to make sure we're okay. Which we are.

"Auntie Audrey?" Ruth asks as she stands in front of me, placing her hands on my knees.

"Yes, Ruth?" I reply.

"I'm bored. Can we do something?"

"Well, your parents have uploaded a video of you want to watch it?"i suggest.

"Yeah!" she jumps up and down before leaping into the sofa next to me.

I turn on the TV and open YouTube, finding the video for my sweet little niece. As if Ruth had sent out a mental frequency, Zoey came clambering up the stairs and sat on my lap.

"Are we watching Mama and Mom's new video?" she asks.

"We are. Where's Auntie Khrystyna?" I question.

"I'm here." my girlfriend calls as she jogs up the stairs. She strolls over to the couch and sits beside Ruth, who cuddles into her.

I press play and the video starts with a time lapse of the plane flight. Some of the band's songs playing over the top. When that's over, the video cuts to Kate, vlogging and explaining what's happening.

"Christina and I have just landed in Finland."

"Well, you say, 'just landed,' we've been here long enough to get our stuff and head out of the airport." Christina corrects.

"Thank you for that, Christina." Kate said sarcastically, her Irish accent thickening with the sarcasm.

"You're welcome." Christina smiled.

"Anyway, we're in Finland for our honeymoon. We're going to head to our destination. I can't wait. How about you, Christina?"

"I'm so excited. I want to play in the snow." Christina bounced on her feet in happiness.

"It's your first time with snow, isn't it?"

"Yeah!"

Kate had already sent me the video of Cubby's first time in the snow. And it was the cutest thing I had ever seen. I cried of happiness but that's besides the point.

I was in the bedroom, just waking up next to Khrystyna when my phone went off. I huffed and rolled over, thinking it was work.

It wasn't. It was Kate.

I was worried. Kate never messaged me. Well, the only time she had was when Tina had tried to kill herself last year. But that was it. So naturally, I was worried when I saw it was Kate.

I slipped on my glasses since I didn't sleep with my contacts in, and opened my phone.

"Babe, what're you doing?" Khrystyna groaned.

"I got a message from Kate. She only texts when there's something wrong or an emergency." I explain.

"Oh shit." Khrystyna breathed and turned around. She peered over my shoulder as I opened the message. It was a video.

I pressed play and my little sister was there, smiling and giggling while playing in the snow.

"I love it!" she'd said.

I watched as she touched the snow for the first time. The pure happiness evident in her face. My sister was happy, and it made a tear roll down my face and onto the pillow.

"That's so adorable." Khrystyna said.

"It is." I sobbed.

"Hey, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" my girlfriend held me and I turned around to bury my face in her neck.

"Cubby's happy. She's so happy. And it makes me happy." I cried.

"Oh, Audrey. You're so sweet."

I almost start crying again when the clip of Cubby playing in the snow for the first time. It is just the most adorable thing I have ever watched.

"Wow! Mama is playing on the snow!" Ruth exclaimed.

"Yeah. And she's so happy, look at her!" Khrystyna says, pointing to my sister's massive smile.

"Mama deserves to be happy." Zoey mumbled, but I heard it.

"She does." I agree.