She wiped her face, did what she needed to do in the bathroom, and then shuffled to the kids’ room next door. Life went on, even if she felt half dead.
She was stunned to see the two preschoolers already dressed. Miller and Simon were both in there, and while she guessed that Miller was the one that actually got them into clean clothes, she was still astounded by the progress that Simon had made, from the time he had backed away from the kids in the Childcare Center.
He didn’t look at all like he was in a pen with snarling Dobermans. In fact, he looked almost….comfortable. He had changed so much since Lily had met him. But then, they all had.
“Katie! Katie!” The twins swarmed about her, and she allowed herself to sink into their lighthearted giggles and affection. She made sure that she spent equal time greeting Clover as she did Brady. Maybe later she’d get around to telling them to call her Lily.
“We figured that after what you’ve been through, you might need a day off,” Simon said, and Miller nodded in agreement. As usual, he was already on top of things.
“I’ll take them in, get things squared with TraceyAnn and Rika, and pick the kids up after. I’ve already transferred their car seats into the Range Rover so they can ride with the boys going in. I’ll find out from Tybalt who’s on patrol at the Faire today.”
Lily was touched by their thoughtfulness. But she really couldn’t spend a whole day in the house by herself. She knew already that if she weren’t sleeping, she’d be watching for Col. She couldn’t go through that again so soon. She needed to stay busy, distract herself. After a century of sleep.
She yawned. “That is so incredibly thoughtful of you both. How about just the morning off? Honestly, after I get a few more hours of sleep, nothing would relax me more than being around kids.”
Simon nodded with approval. “Okay, we can compromise on that.”
“Look at what I’m wearing!” Clover tugged at Lily’s arm. “Miller let me choosed it all by myself.”
“You don’t need the d, honey.” Lily smiled at her. “I like what youchose. That’s a pretty pink t-shirt, what’s it a picture of?”
Clover stuck out her belly while she looked at the image.”It’s a pft-pft-Terry Dackle!”
“Close enough,” Lily laughed. “And what about you, Brady? Did you choose what you’re wearing as well?”
Brady grinned widely while pulling the ends of his green t-shirt. “Yah!!” He shouted. “Mine’s a T-Rex! RAWR!”
He pretended to chomp at Clover, who promptly shrieked and threw a stuffed octopus at him. Miller stopped the hijinks from getting out of hand by swooping both up with a promise of dinosaur shaped pancakes for breakfast.
They left for the kitchen in a flurry of shrieks and giggles.
“He’s so good with kids,” Lily observed. She felt better about taking the morning off. While the kids had been enjoying their stay here at the mansion, it seemed that the guys here really relished their presence too.
Even Simon.
He answered in a quiet voice. “Yes, he is. Miller was the one that raised me, after all.”
Lily’s brow furrowed. Simon had never shared anything so private with her before. Miller had only hinted at it.
“Well, he did a great job from what I see.” She smiled at him warmly. She was just going to let him share more if he wanted to, but she wasn’t going to pry. After last night, she was just grateful that he gave her the chance to finally come clean about everything. And he was still as generous and welcoming as ever. As were Miller, and Tybalt. Although she still couldn’t allow herself to take it for granted.
She still had to see the others, and speak with them directly. For the first time, she was starting to believe that she had formed true friendships here. No more secrets.
Even if she had lost the one relationship that had changed her forever.
“Well, I’ve got to get some work done,” Simon pushed his glasses up. “So remember, you’re taking the morning off! And if I can convince you to also take the afternoon off, just remember two words.”
“Oh?” Lily raised her eyebrows. Two words? Get out? Fuck off? Her mind raced with the possibilities. All of them bad.
Simon smiled and ended the torture.
“Chocolate. Chip.”
Lily burst out with relieved laughter, and just like that, the tension between them was gone.
“Use the house phone if you need anything,” Simon added. “We’re setting you up today with your own mobile, and I’ll leave it for you by the kitchen phone when it’s ready.”
Lily was overwhelmed, so she merely nodded. And a few minutes later, as soon as her head hit the pillow, she was fast asleep.
