64

As I said before, anyone that can put up with my son and not end up killing him, he chuckled heartily. Well, that makes you part of the family.
Thank you, I whispered, my stomach fluttering with what could have only been happiness on an unadulterated scale.
So, you ready to meet JJ ? Noah said, his voice filled with excitement.
Sure, I nodded eagerly. Are we going to go down ?
Don’t expect too much okay, Lily ? Julie said beside me, a hint of sadness in her voice. He’s very shy with strangers. You can try, but he probably won’t be able to speak to you.
It’s okay, I smiled, to reassure her that I didn’t mind. I’m just happy that he gets to see his big brother.
Well then, Noah smiled, stepping past and walking down the garden a few steps, leaving me, Julie and Pierce standing at the top by the fire that was still burning in to the night. I watched as Noah turned around briefly and winked at me, before cupping his hands around his mouth and shouting in to the distance.
HEY JJ ! he yelled, What’s a guy got to do to get a hug around here ?
The young boy swivelled around and jumped up from the dock. I watched as JJ ran full speed towards Noah, his blonde hair bouncing as he ran. Noah laughed and ran down the garden, scooping up his brother as JJ launched himself in to his open arms.
Noah ! He cried happily, wrapping his small arms around Noah’s neck with his eyes squeezed shut. You came.
Of course I came buddy, Noah smiled, resting his chin on the top of JJ’s head. Can’t go too long without seeing my favourite little man !
Me ? JJ asked, leaning back and looking up at him as he wrapped his legs around Noah’s waist.
Of course you, Noah laughed, ruffling his hair. Dude, when did you get so big ? What’s mum been feeding you ?
I get lots of sweets, JJ said. And mum bakes me cookies.
I laughed to myself as Noah shook his head in mock disapproval. That’s no good for a growing boy like you, he smiled. You need things like broccoli and
Eww ! JJ cried, scrunching up his nose. That stuff’s gross !
Well you’re right there, Noah agreed. Come on buddy, there’s someone I want you to meet.
Glancing at Julie and Pierce beside me, I smiled nervously. They both nodded at me encouragingly, making me feel slightly less nervous. As Noah made his way up the garden with JJ still sitting on his hip, I smoothed down my shorts and took a deep breath, taking a few steps forward. When they got closer and Noah stopped in front of me, I noticed JJ hiding his face against Noah’s side.
Hey there, I said quietly, looking at Noah who just shrugged at me dejectedly. Well you must be JJ. You know, your brother talks about you all the time and how great you are.
My smile grew as JJ peeked out from the shirt, looking at me out of one eye. I waved at him with one hand and carried on. I see you’re wearing a Spider man t-shirt, he’s great isn’t he ? I said. But my favourite has to be Batman. He has a really cool car, don’t you think ?
Noah gaped at me as JJ lifted his head and nodded. It was barely noticeable but it was there. Yeah, the bat mobile, I carried on, seeing an opening. And he gets to wear a cool suit as well. I like Superman too, he’s the strongest. Nothing can beat him.
Spiderman can, JJ whispered, cocking his head at me.
I heard Julie gasp behind me, but I ignored her, keeping my focus on JJ. Really ? I asked. What powers does he have ?
I already knew the answer but I wanted JJ to tell me. Nodding encouragingly, I waited as he wriggled out of Noah’s grasp and hopped to the floor. Noah was rooted to the spot, watching with shock as JJ walked over to me hesitantly.
He can fly over buildings, JJ whispered, throwing his arms in the air. And he makes webs from his hands. It’s the coolest ever.
Wow ! I exclaimed, feigning surprise. That does sound great. But does he have a cool car like Batman does ?
No, JJ said, shaking his head. But he gets a cool mask with a spider on it.
Well, I laughed, shrugging my shoulders at him. Nothing beats that. I guess I’ll have to take your word for it. I’m trusting you here, JJ.
I can prove it, he whispered, taking another step forward, so he was standing right in front of me. I have comics in my room and I can show you why Spiderman’s the coolest.
I’d love to see your comics, I smiled, holding out my hand.
JJ took a step back, staring at my hand with unease. I mentally slapped myself, wondering if I had gone to far. But to my surprise, after a brief moment of hesitancy, he took hold of my hand and smiled up at me nervously.
Relief washed over me as Noah stepped past and stood next to his parents. Glancing in their direction, I couldn’t help but laugh as they all stood there looking shell shocked, their mouths wide open in amazement. As I caught Noah’s eye, he smiled at me and I smiled back, knowing how much seeing JJ talk to someone new meant to them.
Thank you, he mouthed, the orange hue of the fire casting shadows over his face.
I just smiled, squeezing JJ’s hand as he tried to pull me back towards the house. Laughing softly, I glanced towards Julie and Pierce. Is it alright if he shows me his comics ? I asked.
They both nodded, seemingly unable to find any words. Yay. I’ve got all the spider man ones, JJ said happily as he pulled my hand and guided me towards the house. And I’ve got spider man pyjamas.
As I followed him and Sammy through the house, who wouldn’t leave JJ’s side, I couldn’t help but think how lucky Noah was to have such a wonderful family. It was obvious that his parents loved him unconditionally, and his little brother idolised him. And as I smiled to myself, I remembered Julie’s words to me. Words that I would never forget.
‘Something tells me you’re already part of this family.’
…………………………………
Noah POV :
Walking slowly up the stairs to JJ’s bedroom, my mind drifted to Lily as it always did. The way she had talked and listened to JJ was something that nobody but the family ever did. I hadn’t thought it possible that my love for her could have grown, but it had. As I walked through the upstairs hallway, I smiled as my eyes fell on the walls. The white paint underneath was barely visible, hidden beneath hundreds of drawings that JJ had done. Most of them were just scribbles, but my parents had hung up every single one.
Reaching the bedroom, I knocked and opened it, walking in to find JJ sitting in between Lily’s outstretched legs as they both read a Spiderman comic. Their heads snapped up at the same time, wondering who was entering their private sanctuary. On seeing that it was me, JJ waved and then went straight back to his comic, but Lily met my eyes and smiled.
A thought hit me suddenly, watching Lily sitting there with my brother who had shied away from countless others. She would make a great mother some day. Where the hell did that thought come from ? I wondered. Shaking the thought away, I stepped in to the room and bent down in front of JJ.
Come on punk, I grinned, snatching the comic away as he frowned at me. Barbeque’s ready, you hungry ?
He nodded and reached out his arms. Can you carry me ? He asked, wriggling his fingers.
You lost the use of your legs have you ? I laughed, ruffling his hair. Boy, you’ve gotten lazy since I’ve been gone.
Have not, he mumbled, still pleading at me with his big blue eyes.
Go on Noah, Lily smiled beside him. You have to carry him.
And why’s that ? I asked, cocking an eyebrow at her as she sat forward and wrapped her arms around JJ’s stomach.
Because if you don’t, she chuckled. JJ will have to stay here and I don’t think I’ll be able to resist tickling him.
Noooo ! JJ laughed, as Lily moved her hands up and under his still outstretched arms.
I sat back and watched amusedly as JJ fought to wriggle away. But his face was red from laughing so much, and he couldn’t quite manage to get away from Lily’s grasp. He leant back in to Lily’s chest and looked up at her, tears of laughter rolling down his cheeks. Grinning, I lunged forward and tickled the bottoms of his bare feet, dodging a kick as he tried to roll away.