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“Mummy, can we get some ice cream at the zoo?” Sophie asked. “Is Dr. Trey going to come with us?”
As if on cue, Trey appeared out of nowhere. I felt my eyes widened. Thank goodness I hadn’t yet taken a sip from my water bottle.
Sophie ran to Trey and wrapped her arms around his thighs. “Hi, Dr. Trey. I just asked Mummy if you were coming with us. How did you know to come right when I asked?”
Trey chuckled. “I don’t know, maybe it was magic.”
“I never tire of the crazy things kids say,” Trey said as he walked by me. “Alright, let’s get in the zoo because you have to see the polar bear. He floats in the water on his back and plays with a big red ball.”
Sophie skipped a few feet ahead of them.
“Glad you could join us. She’s very happy you’re here,” I said.
“Glad I did too. Your text message left me curious,” Trey said. “I can’t wait to see what you have planned.”
I felt a rush of excitement when he casually threw his arm over my shoulder. “Well, you have to wait. And it wasn’t my plan. It’s actually Sophie’s,” I said.
The zoo did not disappoint, especially the polar bear, but Sophie was mesmerized by the seals. She was perfectly content to sit with teddy and bunny and watch them play.
“Sophie, baby, it’s time to get going. I told Dr. Trey we would meet him over by the exit,” I said, reaching to help her pack up teddy and bunny. I knew I needed to distract her before she had a fit about leaving.
“Where did Dr. Trey go?” Sophie asked, still sitting. “Did he have to go back to the hospital?”
“Nope, he went over there by the building. I think he had a phone call,” Mia answered, returning from the store. “Look what I got you.”
“You got me some popcorn? Mummy, can I have some?” Sophie reached for the bag.
Although Trey’s expression remained unchanged when we approached and his tone was less than casual, something about the way he was acting, not to mention the way he kept his hands behind his back, told me he was up to something.
“Hey there, I was wondering what was taking you two so long to meet me,” Trey said. “Sophie, I was wondering if you had any more room in your backpack.”
“I don’t ‘cause bunny and teddy are in there,” Sophie said around a mouthful of popcorn.
“Hmm, well, I guess I’ll have to tell this cute seal he has to go back to the store, then.”
“Dr. Trey, you surprised me, didn’t you? That was a good surprise,” Sophie said, hugging the seal to her chest. “I can hold seal, don’t worry. I have bunny and teddy in my backpack,” Sophie said to Mia. “And now I have a seal.”
“You will have to decide on a name for your seal?” Mia told her.
“I’ll just call him seal for now,” Sophie said, walking beside me.
Sophie was so enamored with her new stuffed seal she nearly walked into a garbage can on the way to the exit.
“Sophie, this way to shoot through.” I touched her on the shoulder and steered her the correct way out.
“Chloe, my limo is here. Are you sure you don’t mind me going overnight?” Mia frowned.
“Go knock your man’s socks tonight,” I said, hugging her on the sidewalk while her driver put her suitcase in the trunk. “Just so you know, Sophie and I are going swimming in your big tub after the zoo.”
“Love you both. See you tomorrow afternoon,” Mia said out the window. “You have my driver’s number. Message him when you’re ready to go anywhere.”
“I’ll take good care of them. Go make my brother have fun,” Trey said from the sidewalk.
“Mummy, can we walk in the park?” Sophie asked.
“I have time for a walk,” Trey smiled.
We strolled through the park, keeping on the winding walkways until we came upon a pond with a mummy duck and her babies. Naturally, Sophie wanted to get a closer look, and then she decided they were hungry. Trey, being the softie I’d learned he was, went off to buy some hot dog buns from a street vendor so she could feed the ducks. When he came back, we stood side by side watching my daughter with the ducks.
