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“Yeah. But I don’t think I like olives.”
“That’s okay.” Taylee shoved the jar aside on the counter.
“Or tomatoes.”
“That’s fine.”
“Or pickles.”
Tay laughed softly, smothering the bigger sound that wanted to come out so she didn’t wake up Onyx. Misty was just so darned cute, especially sitting next to Kier in her pink pajamas with the green alien cats all over them. “Just cheese it is.”
“Can I actually just have cheese sliced up?’
Kier raised a brow. “No bread?”
“No, if that’s okay?”
“Absolutely,” Tay responded, already reaching for the cheese.
“And melted?”
This time, she and Kier laughed at the same time. “In the microwave?” Tay asked.
Misty hesitated. “No, in the pan.”
“Oh goodness. Fried, burned tasting cheese is the best, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“No problem. Fried, melty, gooey cheese coming right up.”
She slipped Kier’s sandwich out of the pan, put some olives and extra pickles on the side of the plate, and set it in front of him before she attempted to try to cook just cheese.
It turned out it was easier than she thought. She just scooped up the mess onto a plate and gave Misty a fork. Watching her go to town on it, shoveling it in and fighting the strings as it dribbled from her fork, blowing on it to cool it down and trying to get it into her mouth, brought Tay so much joy.
“Can Onyx sleep in my room? ” Misty said while Taylee was throwing her sandwich into the pan to toast.
She turned slowly. “Oh, honey, she wakes up in the night.”
“I don’t care. At the homes I was in, I never really slept that much.” A string of cheese dribbled off the fork and stuck to Misty’s chin. She picked it off with two fingers and put it in her mouth. “There were other babies. I didn’t mind being woken up by them. Sometimes I’d hold them. I liked it. Or other kids would be crying. Sometimes I’d cry. The little ones would get in bed with me. Before, there was a girl a few years older than me. She’d sometimes hug me if I was too loud and woke her up. I liked being hugged. I know babies get hungry at night or need their diaper changed. I can help. I promise.”
“Sure, if you want to. I feel bad, but if you want Onyx in your room beside your bed in her bassinet, that’s more than alright.” She appreciated Misty’s enthusiasm and kindness towards Onyx so much, but her heart just about broke into pieces hearing the little girl talk about the children’s homes.
“I like my room a lot,” Misty whispered, then hesitated. “But I’m kind of lonely.”
Kier put his hand on her shoulder. “I love that you love Onyx and want to help out with her. I didn’t realize you were lonely. I should have thought about that.”
“It’s okay. I’m really happy that you’re going to be here more.” She looked at Taylee. “With Onyx. That’s so exciting. I can’t wait until she’s a bit bigger and I can teach her things, I always wanted a brother or sister to play with. She’s so fun now, but she’ll be even more fun soon.”
“That’s right.” Kier took a huge bite of his sandwich and stuffed half a pickle into his mouth.
“If Onyx sleeps in my room, then we have enough rooms for everyone. You can sleep in the bed together.”
“Oh!” Taylee nearly flopped her sandwich off the flipper and right onto the floor. “The couch is okay, honey. I don’t mind.”
“But people only sleep on the couch when they’re mad at each other.”
Kier smothered a laugh and Taylee shot him a look from under lowered lashes. “We’re not mad at each other. I promise.”
