The Patter of Tiny Feet

Tori was busy packing boxes when she felt the air change as the door opened. Turning with a smile on her face she saw Tom come in. He’d been on night shift and looked worn out.

"Hello, darling," she said, walking over and giving him a hug and a kiss. "Busy night?"

"No, Luv. We didn’t get a shout all night. Boy did it drag. Stevo went to sleep in the ambo, lucky bugger."

"Can you eat?"

"I’ll just take a quick kip and then I’ll be right," Tom replied, kissing Tori as she walked with him to the bedroom. "You’ve been busy, Luv."

"Well, luckily we don’t have too much to pack. I’ll be finished before you and Stevo get the decorating done I should think. I’ll just leave the essentials out until moving day."

She eased him down onto the bed and took his shoes off for him. He was so tired he didn’t even bother to get undressed, and he was asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow. Tori gently brushed the hair from his forehead and kissed him, closing the blinds and shutting the door quietly on her way out.

Four hours later, Tom was wide-awake again. He got up from the bed and opened the blinds. It was another beautiful day; He was looking forward to moving out of Coffs. He never thought that would be the case as he was a city boy at heart, but having spent time at The Glen, he realised it was the ideal place to settle with Tori. There was only one thing that would make their family complete.

Tori was in the kitchen, preparing his brekkie. He never ceased to wonder how she knew just when he would wake up. He walked up behind her and slid his arms around her waist.

"Morning, Tom. Sleep well?"

He turned her to face him and smiled. "Morning, Luv. Yeah, I was out like a light. I hate quiet shifts."

Going to the fridge, Tom took out a jug of orange juice and placed it on the kitchen table, along with milk, butter and marmalade. They were soon enjoying bacon and egg with lashes of toast.

"What are your plans for today, Tom?"

"Oh, we’re going round Stevo’s later, if that’s okay with you."

"Man, don’t you two get enough of each other at work?" Tori laughed.

"His mum’s visiting from the top end, he thought you might like to meet her."

"Oh, I’d be thrilled. I love hearing him talk about her."

Tom grinned. Tori always spoke as if she wasn’t deaf. She enjoyed ‘listening’ to music, when in fact she felt the vibration. She said it didn’t matter that she could no longer hear the tunes, she could remember what music sounded like before she lost her hearing, and that was good enough. She had only ever admitted missing one thing. She would have given the world to hear him speak. She was sure she would have loved his voice.

Tom did the washing up for Tori while she went to take a shower and get dressed. He decided not to follow her into the shower, as he didn’t want to be late getting to Stevo’s. Not only did he want Tori to meet Stevo’s mum, there was also something special they both wanted her to see.

They had a brilliant day with Stevo and his mum. She was a wonderful lady, and she took to Tori right away. After lunch, she took Tori out to the back yard and showed her all the art supplies on the picnic bench. It wasn’t long before she was showing Tori how to paint traditional Aboriginal pictures. Tom and Stevo watched them both from the back door and smiled.

"Is it time yet?" Stevo asked.

"I reckon. I can’t wait to see her expression."

"Right-o. I’ll go get it while you keep her occupied."

Tom walked over to the two women and admired the work they’d done. "We’ll have to frame them and put them in the new house," he smiled, kissing his wife and Stevo’s mum.

Winking at ‘mum’ he turned Tori to look at him. "Stevo and mum have got us a house warming gift, Luv. Would you like to see it?"

"Ooh, yes please," Tori said excitedly.

Just then, Stevo came out from the kitchen with something in his hands. Tori gasped and looked at everyone in surprise, then at the squirming little bundle.

"Oh my lord. He’s gorgeous," she cried. "What’s his name?"

"That’s your choice, mate," Stevo replied.

"That will take some thought. I think we should wait until we’ve had him, it is a boy isn’t it, a while to see his temperament."

"That’s a sensible idea," mum replied.

"He’s so small. Is he ready to leave his mum yet?"

"Not yet, Tori. He’s just six weeks old. He’ll be ready to join you when you move into the new place though. He’ll grow up to be a good house guard, and if he’s as loving as his parents, he’ll be wonderful company for you when Tom’s working."

"Oh, guys…mum…this is the best house warming gift ever," Tori said, crying with joy and cuddling her little bundle of fur.