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When the thermometer beeped, I nodded in satisfaction. “You seem better. I’ll pack you some juice boxes and we’ll keep you hydrated.”
Alex frowned. “Do I have to go to school?” He gave me a crestfallen look.
“No.” I gave him an indulgent smile. “But I need to go to the clinic. Want to come with me?”
Alex nodded eagerly. “I like spending time with you,” he stated as he scooped some macaroni and cheese on his fork.
I smiled at him placing a kiss on his head. “I like spending time with you too!”
“Did you know the most venomous jellyfish in the world is named the Irukandji and is smaller than your fingernail?” Micah asked as he came into the kitchen.
“He’s been fascinated by biology,” Tanya explained as she grabbed a plate and sat at the bar. “Thanks for lunch.”
“No, thank you for your help with Micah, he’s improved greatly already. I figured we needed something heavier today, since it’s chilly outside.” I smiled. “Alex and I are running out shortly. Noah should be home before you leave for the day.”
Micah frowned. “Can I go with you? I’ve taken all of my tests today.”
I looked over at Tanya and she smiled with a nod.
I nodded. “I don’t see why not. Maybe you can keep an eye on Alex while I help Gavin and Jace. Looks like you have the afternoon off,” I smiled at Tanya.
“Can we borrow Ella’s Wii U?” Micah asked hopefully.
“Sure,” I answered. We had agreed to restrict screen time during the week, so the kids hadn’t played on any game systems since Sunday night.
“Chip will let me borrow his,” Alex piped up.
I nodded. “That’s fine. We can do that.”
Remy came walking in the door not too long afterwards. He kissed me on my head and ran a suggestive hand on my butt.
I blinked up in surprise. He was affectionate when it came to embracing me, playing with my hair, or wanting me to sit on his lap, but he never initiated any intimate contact to that degree since I returned. I was left wondering if he was trying to tell me something. Was he tired of waiting for us to reconnect on a more intimate level?
He pretended like it hadn’t happened as he grabbed a plate and sat down next to Alex. He reached over and held the back of his hand to his forehead. “How do you feel?” he asked.
Alex, for some reason, showed apprehension around the big guys Terrance and Remy. I don’t know if it was because his father had been a big man, or that they were the size of mountains. “Good,” he responded before he took another bite of his food.
“Blake said we can go with you,” Micah said excitedly.
“Awesome, man,” Remy reached over and fist bumped Micah.
“I’m going to grab the game systems and maybe pack some snacks and drinks for the boys,” I jumped up and grabbed a lunch box out of one of the cabinets.
“I heard there were some boys with birthdays coming up, and so is Christmas,” Remy said with a sly grin. “Maybe sharing won’t be necessary soon.”
“Mine is in two weeks!” Micah said excitedly. His birthday was close to my original birthday.
“Mine is after Christmas, and Christmas is such a looooong time away,” Alex said dramatically. Willing to forget his fear of Remy in that moment.
To their credit, Remy and Terrance made it a mission to draw Alex to them. They gave him extra attention in hopes that he would be comfortable around them.
“Well maybe if your report card comes back with good grades…” Remy trailed off.
“You guys need to stop spoiling the children,” I said with mock sternness. I was torn about the whole situation, honestly. One part of me believed that they deserved to get spoiled, but the other part of me didn’t want them to become materialistic. I didn’t want them to take the trivial things for granted. I didn’t want them to believe everything should just be given to them and not earned.
“I’m really smart,” Alex said confidently.
“Well, smart boy, hurry up and finish eating so we can go,” I ruffled his dark curls and ran upstairs to get the game systems.
