Page 88 of Sherry and Sunflowers
"Because it means I'll be working with Grandpa Grape. And with Ollie."
She raised her little eyebrows. "What will Mom do after she's made all the pretty pictures for you?"
Her big green eyes watched him anxiously. He had no idea what to tell her. He didn't know what the answer was, and for the first time, he felt like he had some insight into how Alara must feel. She'd lived the last several years going from one job to the next. When the work was done, she moved on. He could understand why she couldn't see beyond that. She felt like she needed to earn everything that was given to her. And if she had no work to do…
"Prince Daddy?"
"Sorry, Z." He held her tight when her eyes filled with tears.
"I don't want to leave the Land of Sunflowers and Raisins."
He kissed her cheek. "I don't want you to leave either."
"But if Mom doesn't have work to do here…" She clung to him and buried her face against his neck, her little cheek hot against his skin.
"She doesn't need to work here."
Zia lifted her head. "She does. That's how she buys all the things. She works to make the money. That's why she has to."
He squeezed his eyes shut. "Maybe she'll want to help me run the business side of things here. We'll find something for her to do." It didn't seem right to tell her that they wouldn't need to worry about money anymore, even if Alara didn't work.
Zia rubbed her fists over her eyes. "Mom works with flowers and paints and pictures. She's a maker. She doesn't do business."
"I know. But we'll find something she can do here. Something she wants to do. Okay?"
Zia didn't look convinced, but she nodded. "I don't want to leave."
"I know, Z. And I'm going to do everything I can so you won't have to." The look on her face broke his heart. "Tell you what—should we go see if Mrs. Faye has any snacks for us?"
She nodded sadly, and he carried her inside to the kitchen.
"Everything okay?" Faye greeted him with a worried look when she saw Zia’s face.
"Yeah. Zia's sad because she doesn't want to leave."
Faye put her hands on her hips. "Who said anything about leaving?"
"I did," said Zia. "It's what we do when Mom's work is finished. And she’s made the pretty pictures for Grandpa Grape's wine now, so soon…" She heaved a big sigh.
"Oh no! That's not happening."
Zia leaned her head to the side. Reaves wanted to do the same.
"You two belong here," Faye told her. "Making those pictures wasn't the end of it—it's the beginning of it. It's the two of you putting down the roots that your mom wrote right there on the label. Rooted—that means you grow in a place, and the place feeds you." She smiled at Zia. "You can't say I haven't been feeding you, can you?"
Zia gave her a small smile and shook her head.
"And stillness—well, that can mean a lot of things. But mostly it means staying put. That's what you and your mom are doing. Staying put, right here."
Zia wriggled to get down, and when Reaves set her on her feet she ran to Faye and wrapped her arms around her waist. Faye glared at Reaves for a moment before dabbing at her eyes and scooping Zia up.
"I love you, Mrs. Faye."
"I love you too, cupcake. I might not let you bring your glitter into my kitchen, but…"
"You don't need glitter. You have your own magic sparkles." Zia leaned back to look at her. "Are you a fairy godmother?"
Faye let out a short laugh and caught Reaves's gaze as he nodded emphatically.
