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KHALL
Khall rode the elevator up to the penthouse shortly before Bo’s bedtime, feeling tired but excited to be home.
Though the company would have paid for a night in an upscale hotel for him since he was on the late return run, he was eager to get back. He’d over tipped the droid driver to take the high route at ultra-speed to get home before bedtime.
The elevator chimed.
“Daddy,” Bo’s little voice rang out before the doors could slide open.
A moment later she was in his arms, her little body plastered to him.
He bent to kiss the top of her head, the sweet scent of her bubble gum shampoo letting him know that she had taken her bath earlier.
“How was your day?” he asked, lifting her up in his arms as he straightened.
April and Minerva were sitting on the sofa. Three sets of count cards floated in the air over the coffee table. It looked like Minerva was winning.
The whole place smelled like a home cooked meal.
This is what coming home feels like.
For once he couldn’t bring himself to silence the little voice in his head. Returning to the kids with a nanny normally meant finding everyone glued to a screen. The kids would be grumpy and frantic for his attention since the caregiver would have spent her time on her comms, interacting minimally with Bo and not at all with Minerva.
Coming back to content kids who had spent the time since he last saw them doing wholesome things with someone who seemed to care about them was completely different.
He felt cared for himself, ready to sit down and relax and enjoy his family.
“We’re playing count cards, but Minerva always wins,” Bo wailed, then laughed her head off.
Khall laughed too.
“She’s brilliant at math, that’s all,” April said. “How was your trip?”
“Uneventful,” he said with satisfaction.
“I guess that’s as good as it gets,” April said thoughtfully.
“Yeah, if I have an interesting day, it’s not good,” he laughed. “What did you guys do while I was away?”
“We went to the store,” Bo answered immediately. “I chose more jam and bread. And we got ingredients for pot pie. And we made pot pie. And I ate it.”
“It’s vegetables baked into a pie,” April explained, smiling. “An old Terran thing. Bo and I thought everyone might like to try it.”
“Sounds amazing,” Khall said.
“We saved you some,” Bo yelled. “Do you want it right now?”
“Sure,” he said.
“Why don’t I heat it up,” April said. “Bo you and Minerva can keep telling your dad about your weekend.”
He watched her flow off the sofa and into the kitchen with the grace of a gazelle.
“April taught us a dance,” Bo said. “And we’re really good at it.”
“Minerva, you were dancing too?” Khall asked, stunned.
Minerva grinned at him, her face darkening happily as she nodded.
