He winced.“Oh, man.I’m sorry.I did mean fall.I was exaggerating, you know?I’m sorry.”
“Zagering?What’s zagering?”Tori asked.
“That’s like when you say you’re starving when you’re just hungry, sweetie.”Ian smiled for her.
“We’re all good,” JP promised.“And soon there will be a chair to help me get safely up and down the stairs.”
“Us too?”Petey asked, and Ian shook his head.
“No, sir.It is not a toy.We do not play with it.It is Dad’s.”
“Sorry, buddy, but we’re only getting it because I’m hurt.And when I’m better we’ll pack it away again.”Until they were old and decrepit.
“It’ll be great, because they’re going to create a closet here under the stairs where we can move the seat and lock the door.Then it’s here when we need it.”Ian smiled at him, obviously pleased.“Kids, did you finish your breakfast?I have to run get Dad’s tray and then have a quick bite.”
“You haven’t eaten yet?”JP growled a little.“You’re too busy helping everyone else that you aren’t taking care of yourself, Chou.”
“No, I haven’t had time, yet.Let me grab your walker.”
“And then you’re going to eat.”
“Mmhmm.”Ian headed upstairs, and he smiled at the kids, who were watching him closely.
“Was your breakfast good?”he asked, feeling like he was being judged.
“Uh-huh.”Petey nodded and smiled.“Was yous?”
“It was delicious.Daddy makes good food.”
Tori nodded.“I love Daddy food.”
He smiled at Ian as the man came back down with his tray.“Were your ears burning, Chou?”
Tori twisted her lips.“You want to go to the park with us?”
“He is coming with us.Let’s get you sat down so you can rest a second.”Ian hurried to put the tray in the kitchen.
He shook his head.Ian had too much on his plate.
And all this was with the house cleaner.
Still, it made him feel so loved.
Ian came back with his walker.“Thanks, Chou.Now it’s time for you to get yourself breakfast.”
“Yeah.Have a seat.”Ian kissed his cheek and wandered off to the kitchen table, the sound of dishes clinking clear.
He followed slowly but surely, and sat at the table, the kids coming along and climbing up into their chairs.“So you guys like the park, eh?”
“Uh-huh.”Tori smiled at him and nodded.“I like to run so fast!”
“I like to swing.”Petey waved his arms in the air.“Whee!”
So Peter did like something active and thrilling.He’d been wondering.
“Does it have a slide?That was always my favorite.”
“A bumpy slide!”Tori stared at him, so intense.“It bounces your butt.”
