Finding Them

Five days went really quickly. In that time Daniel got closer to the twins as did Mitchell. Darcy and Dakota allowed them to bath them and even would go to them for comfort when they were upset or tired. They had a few toys that they had got from Target as well as some shoes that Darcy found funny on her feet and wouldn't walk with them on. Dakota flat-out refused to put shoes on, he didn't like them on his feet at all and ripped them off his feet throwing them at Mitchell who had put them on. Both Dakota and Darcy liked walking in the teddy slippers that squeaked and happily wore them all over the place.

Daniel also brought a double stroller for the twins who tired easily when out walking. Darcy and Dakota would sit side by side holding hands watching the world mesmerised by everything. Daniel had FaceTimed his other sons several times so they could see the twins which resulted in the twins getting worried and hiding the first few times. The third time the twins went looking for the people walking behind the phone but couldn't find them. The boys thought it was the funniest thing earning a glare from Dakota for making too much noise and scaring Darcy. Darcy had hidden in Mitchell's chest covering her ears as she hated loud noises.

Daniel and Mitchell had taken the twins to the embassy to get their emergency passports and to sort out the paperwork. The children got to play in the park and feel the grass between their toes. Darcy carried Ellie around everywhere she went and Dakota held onto Woody and his sister when he slept. Mitchell and Daniel worked out quickly that the twins liked to hear a heartbeat to sleep especially Darcy. She would often sleep on top of Dakota with her head on his chest and he would hold her protectively. They would not sleep alone at all and Dakota would always wait until Darcy was asleep before he would doze off.

It was time to head to the airport and make the long journey home to Australia. When they got to the airport, Daniel, Mitchell, Darcy and Dakota were assisted through the airport as Daniel had called the airline earlier to explain about flying with the twins. The woman on the phone had suggested not to fly first class but to fly premium economy so the twins could be seated next to each other. She organised it all so Daniel and the twins would be in the middle three seats and Mitchell would be on the aisle. She even organised an escort through security right to the plane so the twins were the first on the plane and Daniel could settle them. They were flying at night hoping the twins would sleep most of the night. Mitchell broke off from the group so he could grab some snacks and drinks for the twins including Dunkin Donuts in the hopes they would settle.

Once on the plane, Mitchell took his seat seeing that Dakota and Darcy were griping each other for dear life with Daniel in front of them talking calmly to the children. He had given them blankets and a pillow each but the pillows were thrown on the floor. Darcy held Ellie in front of her face to stop people from looking at her while Dakota glared at everyone who looked their way.

Mitchell crouched in front of the twins attempting to draw their attention away from everyone with the food he had brought the twins including lollipops so they could suck them during take-off and landing. "Hey look I brought lollies" Mitchell stated. "What dat?" Darcy whispered but Dakota was still glaring at the flight attendant who was making faces at him. "You suck on it and it's watermelon flavour so your ears don't pop when the plane starts taking off" Mitchell told his sister who hummed in response not knowing what they meant.

As the plane was ready to take off, Mitchell took his seat and reached his hand across to Dakota so he could hold it. As the plane started to move Darcy gasped and held onto Dakota's hand tightly. "Not like Kota" she sobbed out. She didn't like the feel of the plane at all. "Hey you are ok princess, I'm right here and so is Kota and Mitty. You are safe" Daniel spoke calmly to Darcy trying to reassure her everything was ok. As the plane began to ascend in the air Dakota grabbed onto Mitchell's hand tightly, he didn't like it either. Mitchell handed Dakota a lollipop telling him to put it in his mouth. Daniel attempted to hand the lolly to Darcy but she was crying and got it to her lips "Try this princess" he whispered to her. She licked the lollipop but shook her head no grabbing her ear. Darcy was in pain and no lolly would fix that.

As the plane levelled out the flight attendant came over to Daniel and told him that he could pick Darcy up and offered some water for her which she refused. They had given her some paracetamol just before take-off and hoped it would kick in soon. Dakota had tears in his eyes but he made no sound at all. Mitchell quickly moved to Dakota's seat placing the boy in his lap. Dakota cuddled into Mitchell and held him tightly. He had Woody in his hands and still had a hold of Darcy's hand. The lollipop was in his mouth but he didn't like the feeling of being on a plane.

For three hours Darcy sobbed loudly and people on the plane were getting annoyed. Daniel walked up and down the aisle, he took her to the bathroom and offered her a toy, food and drink, but nothing worked. The flight attendant had offered drawing and watching the tablet but she was so distraught. Eventually when Daniel held both twins so Mitchell could use the bathroom they both fell asleep on his chest holding each other. The flight attendant draped a blanket over them all and told Daniel to get some rest. Mitchell took his seat so Daniel could leave his feet up across the three seats and smiled at his father snapping a photo of them all. Daniel was content at this moment with his children in his arms sleeping and smiled at Mitchell. "Get some sleep mate, it's going to be a long flight," Daniel told his son. Mitchell turned off his light and tried to get some much-needed sleep.