New Kittens, part 2
We have big balloons that stand on their own that we stand on the endcaps (the bit of the each aisle). Right now we have R2D2, Ariel, and Spider-man. A mom brought in her two children and spent some time getting the car cart clean before lifting her kids inside. The three year old girl said, "Ariel!" Her five year old brother said, "I see Spider-man. And look, Mom, that's the droid from Lego Land."
Despite his mother's efforts, he couldn't be convinced that R2D2 had ever been anyone else.
New Kittens, part 2
Jay leaned back on the pillow. Jade laughed at the boys and read the requested book one more time. It was about a litter of kittens getting used to their baby siblings. VJ pointed at the tabby on the page. “I won’t be jealous.”
His brothers echoed him. They will love their babies and take such gentle care of them. They reminded their parents this each time it was read to them, so about six times a day and twice before bed.
Jay had nothing against more kittens.
The house they wanted was theirs, close enough to family and work, but as far from the heart of the university as they could get and still be on campus. They just needed to paint and to replace the ugly carpet in the front room and on the stairs with something more kitten friendly. Soon they’d have a yard and be only across the street for a large park.
With enough rooms for several more kittens.
Jay actually wanted more children. He did. He’d contribute his DNA, his time, his love to them. But he wasn’t ready to carry one. A small creature inside him making demands before it was even born? Nope. Not yet at any rate. Jade and Vido weren’t pressuring him, but they had mentioned several times how fun it would be to all be carrying kittens together. If not this time, maybe the litter after this one.
Jade closed the book. “That was the last story. Don’t pout.”
Jas took in a deep breath. “We won’t.”
But he looked like he was going to cry.
“We’re big and strong,” said VJ. “Look, I can clean myself.”
He turned kitten and showed off his stuff. His brothers did too. Vido and Jade exchanged glances. They were trying not to laugh.
Was Jay reluctance to carry a familiar kitten because of some deep-seeded prejudice? Did he believe, in his heart of hearts, that familiars weren’t really people? He’d always thought he was so progressive: falling in love with not one but two familiars. Except that while Jade and Vido acted like carrying young was so natural, it scared him silly.
And what would his parents think?
Whatever it was, they wouldn’t say it. Not after Leyla.
Originally, Pedar and Maman had kept Leyla with a diverse community thinking she would expand and see as normal what Pader and Maman found uncomfortable. Instead, she’d taken advantage of those around her and failed to see them as even people.
They’d sent her back to live with Pader’s brother. Last Jay had seen her, she was bound like a Djinn and made him promise not to tell her parents. So far he hadn’t.
Would one of his precious children end up like her? No. Not with parents like Jade and Vido.
With one more look between Vido and Jade, they pounced on the boys, licking the missed spots. Deev was the first to escape. He crawled up Jay’s chest. “Baba, I was clean. I really was.”
Jay ran his cheek against his son’s side then kissed his nose. “I know you were. But I think Daddy and Popsey like to give you the attention.”
VJ curled up against Jay’s neck. “This is why we need new babies.”
“I think they will still find the time.”
Jas rubbed his cheek against Jay’s chin and whispered, “Good.”
“Bedtime.”
Deev and VJ jumped to the carpet and raced out of the room, but Jas cuddled closer. “Carry me?”
Jay carried him.
Vido was already getting the boys settled in their room. The boys were much more independent with the hope of kittens in their future, but they still had little requests for attention. Tonight that was Vito’s job because his concert would keep him away for the rest of the week.
Once the boys were asleep Jay and Jade would show Vito just how much they’d miss him.