Page 32 of Doran

Oh yeah, because I wanted them to at least pretend they were happy for me after we had a strongly worded conversation.

Kaelor came down. “Did I miss something? You could cut the tension in here with a knife!”

“What’s going on?” Tarek asked, coming in behind him with Laura. He sat her in her chair and fastened a bib around her neck.

“Oh, nothing much,” I replied, ladling some batter into the waffle maker and sprinkling in chocolate chips Doran handed me from the replicator. “You know, just my mother losing her shit and taking off with my two youngest children.”

“What?” Varek asked, his tone sharp.

“Calm down, babe,” Darren said as Laura's lower lip trembled. “Laura thinks you’re mad at her.”

Tarek turned his attention back to the baby. “No, no, sweetheart. Pata was just surprised. You’re my wonderful girl! Does my princess want some milk?”

“Mook,” Laura agreed.

“Pata will get it.” He set about mixing up her drink in her sippy cup. “So, are they alright?” he asked me in a quieter tone.

“Oh, they’re fine. The Mylos located her and picked up the kids. She was just sitting in a convenience store parking lot, as if she was waiting for my dad or the police or somebody to come and meet her there or something. They picked up Emma, too, and Commander Gundar sent a long distance shuttle from the Bride Fleet to go pick them up. I’m not sure if my parents will be coming or not, and to be honest, I’m starting to wonder why I said they still could if they wanted to.”

“I’m glad the kits are okay.”

I blinked back tears, then took the now cooked waffle out and loaded in more batter and chips before closing the lid.

“Those look…interesting.”

“They’re waffles, and the iron makes them look like Snoopy. He’s a famous cartoon dog.”

“Snoopy rules. Just wait, babe. I’m sure Bob has all the old Peanuts specials and the movie. Probably the comic strips too. They came out in book form. I’ll have you saying, ‘Curse you, Red Baron!’ in no time at all.”

Despite my mood, I couldn’t help but laugh at the expression on Tarek’s face. He looked like he thought Darren had lost the plot, and poor Doran didn’t look much better with the bemused expression he wore.

It didn’t take me long to make enough waffles for everyone, and the boys were ecstatic when they saw I used the whipped cream to color Snoopy in, adding more chocolate chips to fill in where the black should be. Both of our Dragonii loved the waffles, and I decided then and there to make them more often. Maybe next time I’d add some nuts. The bacon was replicated, so it was ready as soon as we wanted it, and the chatter about the food and plans for the day soon helped lift the pall hanging over our mood. All too soon, Kaelor, Tarek, and Darren were headed out to work.

“Can we see if Bob has some Snoopy cartoons?” Matt asked, and I nodded.

“I can ask him,” Evan offered. “It’s not hard.”

It really wasn’t. So I agreed. “But brush your teeth and wash your faces first!” I called after them as they clattered away from the table.

“She’s so sticky, she even got syrup in her hair,” Doran said, dismayed.

“You deal with the dishes, and I’ll give her a bath,” I offered.

“You have a deal.”

The waffle iron you have to hand wipe out. You can’t put it in the dishwasher or sink.”

He nodded his understanding, and I carried Laura upstairs. By the time we’d only just got past the boys as they decided to watch one of the summer camp Peanuts specials, I was nearly as sticky as she was.

“Okay, we’re going to try taking a shower together. First, you go in your sling thing.”

Laura grinned. “Sing.” Annnd then she patted her hands in my hair too.

I laughed. “I probably should have expected that.”

20

DORAN