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“You’re my hero, Molly,” James told her and presented her with a cookie. Molly slowly warmed up to James as he passed her all the food so she could help set the table.
‘You’re good with kids,’ I mind-linked him.
‘Kids are easier than adults,’ he replied, his eyes flickering to Zi.
‘It will take longer with the adult for sure. Are you sure you’re up for it?’ I asked.
He was silent for a moment as he put away some of the now empty containers we wouldn’t need for lunch. I thought he wouldn’t answer before he finally did.
‘Yes. I can be patient.’
‘Good. I think you’ll be good for them,’ I told him honestly. He flashed me a quick smile before he passed Molly and Zi a couple of sandwiches with fruit.
‘Thank you for trusting me with them,’ he replied.
“So, Molly, have you made any friends at daycare?” James asked and off they went. New friends and new toys were Molly’s favorite subjects right now. James was paying careful attention to everything Molly said as if he was expecting to be given a quiz at the end. He asked her questions about who was who and what toys she liked best, pointing out which of those he’d picked out himself.
‘He hasn’t even talked to me. Do you think he’s mad?’ Zi suddenly asked. I smiled and shook my head slightly.
‘I think he’s genuinely interested in learning about Molly. I mean, he’s practically her age group at heart.’ Zi snorted at my words and then choked on her grape, making Molly and James look at her.
“Are you okay?” he asked her.
“Yes. Just a grape that went down the wrong pipe,” she coughed, blushing furiously, though maybe that was just the lack of air.
“That happens. Molly, can you share your water with your mom?” James asked and after Molly did as requested, they went back to talking to each other. By the end of the lunch, Molly helped James put away the leftover food, and they held hands while we walked Molly back to daycare. He continued to walk us back to the office in silence.
“She took to you quickly,” Zi commented.
“I like kids. They are easy to talk to. Molly’s very bright for her age.”
“Thank you. She’s a very curious child. Sometimes it gets her in a little bit of trouble, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Zi replied proudly.
“I am glad she’s adjusting well. The school is right in the pack, so she will be able to grow up with her friends. It’s one of the things I loved the most about growing up here even though I was a year lower than Evie and Cory. We always saw each other at recess and lunch,” James explained.
“So you have always been pretty close, then?” Zi asked.
“We’re family. Doesn’t matter how much time passes or how far away we go from each other. The seat at the table will always be there.” He looked at me meaningfully as we reached the back doors of the offices. “Well, this is where I leave you, beautiful ladies. I have to get back. The next set of employees is arriving soon, and Cory needs me.” He bowed dramatically before walking towards the gate.
“He’s a little dramatic,” Zi said, still looking in his direction with a small smile on her face.
“Just a tad. Adorably so, I think,” I conceded. “Not that I’ll ever tell him that.”
“No. It will go right to his head.” She laughed.
“Oh, before I forget, Luna Celeste wants us to have dinner with them. I told her I’d ask.”
“I thought Cory didn’t have a Luna?” Zi answered with a frown.
“Luna Celeste is his mother. I think she will always be called Luna by the pack. Everyone loves her,” I answered. It was true, even I could never call her Aunt Celeste like I did with the rest of them. She was always Luna to me.
“Oh. Why?”
“She wanted to catch up, and she wanted to meet you.”
“Do you think she’ll like me?”
“I think she’ll have a lot more information about how they help women with issues than Cory could. Or at least, it will be more comfortable to discuss it with her than with Cory.”
