"Yeah, I'm not complaining, Dad. I get it. I understand it." He met his dad's gaze. "I respect it. I do."
"Good. I'm glad to hear it. Now, do you want to explain why you looked so forlorn over dinner? I'll admit that it caught me a little off guard. After seeing you and Alara disappear into the vines this afternoon, I was hoping that the two of you might have returned a little closer."
"It wasn't like that, Dad. And to tell you the truth, I think we did return a little closer from that walk than we were when we set out, but only because…" He glanced back over his shoulder at the door, feeling almost disloyal that he was about to tell his dad. But it wasn't really an issue. Charles would know where she was going in the morning anyway. "She told me that she's booked her appointment for tomorrow."
"The doctor's appointment? Really?"
"Yep. Finally."
"Well, that is good news. Unless… does she know more about her health situation than she's shared with us?"
"No, she doesn't. It's nothing like that. But she's scared of what she might discover."
"That's understandable." His dad glanced at the door before he continued. "I'm a little apprehensive myself."
"It'll all be okay," said Reaves. "Whatever it turns out to be, we’ll handle it."
"And you're determined to stand by her through whatever is required."
"I am."
"I thought as much. And I hope you know that while you stand beside her, I'll be standing behind you both. If there's anything at all I can do, I want to do it."
Reaves grinned at him. "It's funny you should mention that."
His dad chuckled. "Let me guess. While you accompany Alara to her appointment, I'm going to be glitterified?"
"Yeah, if you don't mind."
"I think you know just how much I don't mind. I adore that child."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean that we should impose upon you."
His dad frowned.
"What?"
"I don't see it as an imposition. In fact… if anything, I'm a little hurt to be left on the outside of thatwe. I understand that you see yourself and Alara becoming awe. But in my mind, there are four of us in this. Zia and I count, too."
"Yeah, of course you do. And I love that you see it that way. I just didn't want to—"
His dad raised a hand. "I know. I simply wanted to make my position clear, so that there's no room for misunderstanding."
"Thanks, Dad."
"You're most welcome. But now I think it's time for you to be on your way. If I know your schedule, and I believe I do, you'll have some phone calls to make once you get home."
Reaves gave him a rueful smile. "Yeah. Ollie won't mind. And Elliott won't mind covering for me."
"I'm sure they won't. They’re good friends to you. And in case that didn't come out right, what I mean is that you have good friends because you deserve them. Anyway…" His dad reached for the TV remote. "I'd like a little peace now. I think I'll catch up on the news."
Reaves rested a hand on his shoulder on the way out. "Yeah, you enjoy your news, Dad. I'll see you in the morning."
He gripped Reaves's hand tightly as he said, "Goodnight, son."
~ ~ ~
"And the princess finally lay her head down on the pillow, closed her eyes, and went to sleep to dream sweet dreams." Alara closed the book and ran her hand over Zia's head. "Just like you should do, Z. Goodnight."
