Chapter 95

"Come on, baby girl," Taren said as he lifted her into his arms. "I think it's time to go in before you freeze to death."
"I- I- I'm- n- not- c-c-cold." Abby curled her hands under her and laid her head down on her father's shoulder.
"Here." Kiki reached for the sled. "I'll take it and you carry her inside."
Taren shook his head. "You can leave it and I'll come back."
Kiki smiled. "No, I have it. Let's get her out of the cold."
His daughter was too cold for him to disagree. "Come on, baby. Let's get you inside where it's warm."
Taren knew she was cold and tired when she didn't put up a fight. He scooped her into his arms and rushed inside. "I'm so sorry, baby. I should have brought you in sooner."
"N- n- no-"
When she didn't say more, he knew she would probably be asleep as soon as they walked into the house.
"Well! It's about time you came in," Evelyn said, opening the door. "Lunch has been ready for a bit." She took one look at Abby and said, "Heaven's sake! She's chilled to the bone! Let's get you warmed up."
Abby nodded against her father's shoulder.
Taren carried her into the dining area and sat down, holding her on his lap and started rubbing and blowing across her hands. "She was having so much fun that I didn't notice that she was getting so cold."
"Well," Evelyn said, rubbing Abby's legs to create friction in an effort to warm her. "No matter. She's inside now. I'll get her some hot chocolate." She looked into Abby's eyes. "We'll get you warm in a jiffy. Okay, sugar? Be right back." She rose to her feet and hurried into the kitchen.
"I'm so sorry," Kiki said, giving him an afghan that Taren recognized was from the living room, and wrapped it around her. "I didn't notice she was getting so cold, either."
Taren shook his head. "No, it's not your fault at all. I should have--"
"Well, what's done is done," Evelyn cut him off, carrying a mug of hot cocoa when she came back in. "Let's just get her warmed up." Then she held out a mug to Abby. "Be careful, honey. This is hot."
Abby held out her shaking hands and held onto the cup, letting it warm her hands. A moment later, she took a sip. Before long, her hands had stopped shaking. "Thanks, Grammy."
"Now, that's better," Evelyn breathed, relaxing as she sat down on the chair across from Taren and Abby at the dining table. Kiki was on the other side, her eyebrows pulling together in concern.
Kiki reached over and held Abby's hand, a crease forming between her eyes. "Are you okay?"
Abby nodded, smiling. "Wanna play a game of Chess?"
Everyone laughed.
"If you like," Kiki replied. "But aren't you hungry?"
Abby shook her head.
"I have to be going soon, so I'm not sure we'll have time for a game. Your father has to go to work in the morning." Kiki tilted her head and smiled. "But would you like me to read to you instead?"
Abby shook her head. "No, but I can read to you."
Kiki smiled. "Sounds good to me."
"There's a rocking chair in the living room," Evelyn interjected.
Taren let her daughter down. "Why don't we all go?"
Much to Taren's surprise, Abby took Kiki's hand. She had never taken up with anyone so quickly before. In the living room, Kiki sat on the rocking chair and then Abby climbed up onto her lap without asking, but he noticed that Kiki didn't mind.
Taren sat on the couch and his mother came in, carrying a plate of sandwiches. She held it out to Abby and she took one absentmindedly and started eating. Kiki shook her head. Then his mother gave one to Taren and then sat in her usual chair on the far side of the room and started eating as she watched.
Abby began to read between bites as the rocking chair creaked against the hardwood floor as they all listened to Abby read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. When Abby started yawning, Kiki picked up reading and Abby leaned against her and finished eating her sandwich. By the time Kiki was finished with the chapter, Abby had already fallen asleep.
When he was sure his daughter was asleep, he crossed the room and scooped her into his arms. "Come here, little girl," he whispered. She went to him, laying her head on his shoulder, and he carried her down the hallway to her room.
Once she was safely tucked into her bed and was asleep again, he kissed her forehead and closed her door, leaving her to her childhood dreams. In his daughter's case, probably dreams of chess games with unicorns or maybe the Cheshire Cat. He smiled as he gently pulled her door closed, but left it ajar. Yes, he was a very lucky man to have such a wonderful daughter. And his mother was truly a godsend. If it hadn't been for them, he would have lost his sanity years ago. Yes, he was a very lucky man.
When he entered the living room, Kiki and his mother were talking over a cup of coffee.
"Well-." Kiki rose to her feet and turned to Evelyn. "Thanks for everything. I really enjoyed getting to celebrate Christmas with you." She walked past Taren down the hallway. "I'll just get my things."
His mother opened her eyes wide at him and nodded toward Kiki, silently telling him to ask her to stay for dinner.
Taren rolled his eyes. Smiling, he headed down the hallway and stood in the doorway of what he was already thinking of as her room. "You don't have to leave yet. Would you like to stay for dinner?" he asked, leaning against the door facing.
She shook her head, already packing her things. "Thank you, but you've done enough." She closed her bag. "I think it's time to go."
"Hey-." He walked into her room. "Are you okay?"
She turned to him and smiled. "I'm fine." She slipped into her coat and slid the bag onto her shoulder. "I just don't want to overstay my welcome."
"Come here." He wrapped his arms around her waist, forcing her to look into his eyes and slid the bag off her shoulder. "I meant what I said. You're welcome here anytime."
She nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "Thank you, but it's time to go."
He nodded, understanding. "Have everything?"
She pulled away and crossed the room to the chest of drawers, picked up the closed necklace box setting on it, and held it out to him. "You know, you really didn't have to do that."
His heart sank. "No. Those are for you." He sighed. "Listen, I don't want to insult you or anything, but I'd like to pay for your dress for the Christmas Cove Fireman's Ball, if you don't mind."
She shook her head and smiled as she slid it into her purse. "No. You've done more than enough."
"You want to go, right?" Taren asked, almost afraid of the answer.
"Yes, of course I do." She sighed and he wondered why she had suddenly become so serious. "May I ask you something?"
His lips curled into a smile. "Always."
Lifting her head, her eyes met his. "Why did you ask me to go?" She motioned around her. "And to come over here? You don't feel sorry for me, do you? Because of what happened?"
Taren took a step toward her, but she held up her hand. "Kiki-."
"I'm sorry, Taren. But I have to know." Her eyes searched his, looking for the truth.
He let out a deep breath. "Kiki, I asked you to the ball and over here today because I like you and I want to spend time with you." He closed the distance between them and took her into his arms. "We're going to have to get past this- the fire and me rescuing you."
She nodded, lowering her eyes, but he placed a finger under her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. "Kiki, if I ask you to a go with me somewhere, it's because I want to spend time with you. Nothing else." He let out a deep breath, hating himself for what he was about to say. "But you didn't go because--"
"Stop right there." She pressed a finger gently to his lips. "And if I go anywhere with you, it's because I like you and want to spend time with you, too."
He smiled and she lifted her lips to his. He deepened the kiss, enjoying the feel of her in his arms a bit too much. He was already getting in too deep, but he couldn't help himself. He just hoped that she didn't break his--or his daughter's--heart.