Finding Them

Everyone made their way into the dining room with the twins holding hands and the slippers squeaking on the floor. Daniel looked around realising that the place was not set up for children at all. "Ok, Darcy and Dakota you are going to have to sit on someone's lap because we don't have high chairs. Whose lap do you want to sit on?" Daniel asked the twins. "Kota big Kota, Cc Addy" Darcy whispered earning glares from the other brothers. They wanted to bond with the twins too but it would take time for the twins to warm up to them. "Ok princess, ready?" Daniel asked in warning, Mitchell asked Dakota if he was ready too. Darcy and Dakota both nodded their heads no longer getting stiff when being lifted by Mitchell and their dad.

Daniel and Mitchell sat next to each other so the twins could hold hands. Hunter sat the other side of Daniel so he was near Darcy and Jamie sat next to Mitchell close to Dakota. Eddie sat opposite and made funny faces at the twins earning a smile from Darcy. Dakota was studying Eddie watching his every move, he thought he was silly but didn't smile he was curious how he made those faces. Daniel asked Jamie to have some food ready for the twins which was on the table and included sandwiches, cheese, fruit, crackers and some veggies so they could choose what they liked. Food in America and Australia is very different. There were also some yoghurts in the fridge that they could offer the twins if they didn't find anything they liked.

Hunter handed the plate to Darcy who again hid behind Ellie. "Here sweetheart" Hunter gently spoke to Darcy before placing the plate in front of her. She looked at the plate and then at Hunter before turning to her dad and looking at him. Daniel smiled and nodded. Jamie placed some food in front of Dakota so he could eat "There you go mate" Jamie stated but Dakota was still studying Eddie and the funny faces he was making. Darcy picked up a peanut butter sandwich and took a small bite of the bread. She was watching Hunter who was smiling at her. "Want me to hold the elephant sweetheart while you eat?" Hunter asked. "Ellie mine" Darcy replied. "Ellie is a pretty name, she is yours but I can hold her if you like" Hunter coaxed earning a shake of Darcy's head. She didn't want to let go of the elephant in case she never got it back. "I will give it back when you have finished," Hunter told her. Darcy was unsure and continued to take small bites of her sandwich. She turned to Kota going to ask him just in time to see him pull a face at Eddie earning a little giggle from her and a loud laugh from Eddie.

Dakota had managed to copy Eddie and his funny faces after studying him for a few minutes and then started returning the faces to Eddie. Darcy forgot all about Hunter asking for Ellie and just watched Kota and his funny faces. She looked at her sandwich and quickly tapped Dakota on the shoulder. Darcy had eaten half the sandwich and wanted Dakota to eat too so she handed him the sandwich. "Hey, that one is your sandwich Dakota has his own" Hunter stated. "Kota some" Darcy whispered. "The twins share everything and always have done. It will take them time to realise they can eat as much as they want" Daniel told Hunter who was concerned by how small both twins were but more so Darcy. The twins were the same age but Darcy was almost a head smaller than her twin brother and a lot thinner as well. Dakota nibbled on the peanut butter sandwich, he wasn't a fan of it so he handed it back to Darcy. "Kota no like" Dakota told her so Darcy put it down picking up a Vegemite sandwich and nibbling on that. She turned her nose up, she didn't like that sandwich so she immediately handed it to Dakota. Jamie was watching and laughed, Darcy clearly didn't like Vegemite at all. Dakota took a bite and he liked that one so he ate that happily.

Once the twins had finished eating they wanted to go play. They had enough of sitting still especially after they had just learned about playing. Mitchell unpacked the few toys they had which included a few blocks, trains, cars and stacking cups. Eddie sat on the ground with the twins while the others sat on the couches watching. Eddie zoomed the cars around the floor while Darcy stacked the cups. Dakota was watching again, he was studying everyone making sure no one was a threat. Mitchell sat behind him "Hey bud, you play. I will make sure you both are safe" Mitchell told Dakota. Dakota nodded his head and picked up a car copying what Eddie was doing. Eddie smashed his car into Dakota's car and said boom rather loudly causing Darcy to cover her ears and silently start to cry. Dakota noticed and quickly rushed to his sister pulling her into his chest and covering her head. Dakota was glaring at Eddie "Too loud" Dakota told Eddie who apologised quickly.

Mitchell reached out for Darcy and pulled her towards his chest. Darcy's ears were still sensitive and were starting to hurt again. Darcy hated loud noises as that always led to her or Kota getting hurt. Darcy found Mitchell's heartbeat and sighed loudly, she was in pain and tired from all the crying. Dakota noticed his sister "Cc wee wee" Dakota sternly said to Mitchell. "Ok bud, I'll take her to the toilet" Mitchell told Dakota and stood up. Dakota reached for Mitchell's hand and they both took Darcy to the toilet. Once both twins had done a wee Mitchell returned to the lounge room where everyone was waiting for them. "Addy" Darcy whispered. "You want daddy?" Mitchell asked earning a little nod from Darcy. Daniel reached for his daughter putting her on his chest which she snuggled into. Dakota climbed up wrapping his arms around his sister and snuggled next to her while scanning the room. Darcy soon fell asleep, "we will make sure you are both safe" Daniel told his younger son kissing both Darcy and Dakota on the heads just as Dakota closed his eyes letting sleep take over him.