Ian chuckled at Tori.“Sweetheart.You don’t win at solving puzzles.”
“Uh-huh.I do.”
“I was wondering about that.”JP grinned.“Tori seems to believe you can win at everything in life.It’s not a bad attitude to have.”
“She is her father’s daughter.I’m going to make sandwiches.Do you want tomato soup?The kids won’t want any.”
“Only if you want some.”He wasn’t making extra work for Ian.
“I want soups too, Daddy.To dip my sandwich.”
Ian blinked at Peter.“Since when do you know about dipping sandwiches?”
“Aunt Allison.”
“So maybe the kids want some after all.”JP gave him a grin.“What about you, Tori, do you want to dip your sandwich, too?”
“Do you dippin’ yours?”
He nodded.“I do.”
“Then, yes.I do like my dad.”
Ian chuckled.“Fair enough.Grilled cheese and tomato soup for dipping.”
“Thanks, Chou.”He was smiling.He had to admit, it felt great, the kids wanting to do things because he did.
They worked on their puzzles, he could hear Ian whistling in the kitchen, and the rain kept coming down, making things cool and cozy.
He just sat there, smiling.Enjoying the day even though all he was doing was sitting, watching the kids.
“I’m done, Dad!”Tori called out.
“Me too,” Peter said.
“Lunch, guys.Come to the table.”
“Come on, Dad!It’s lunch time!”Tori grabbed one of his hands and once he stood up, Peter took the other.
“I still need my walker, guys.”
“Oh.I get it.Hold his hand, Petey.”Tori went to grab his walker and drag it over.
He squeezed Petey’s hand.“Thanks, buddy.”Then he grabbed the walker.“And thank you, Tori.Let’s go eat.”
“Sammiches!Sammiches!”Tori sang.
“Dunk it in da SOUP!”Petey added.
He cackled.“Latest on the billboard charts, Chou.The dunk your sammich song.”
“Right?It’s got a great beat, and you can dance to it.”
The table held two large and two small mugs of soup, two milks, two waters with lemon, and then a pile of grilled cheese sandwiches, cut into dipping sized pieces.
“Wow.It’s like we’re at a restaurant.”He grabbed hold of Ian’s hand and kissed the back of it.“Thank you, Chou.”
Ian blinked at him, then blushed dark.“You’re welcome, love.Come on and eat.”
