Page 80 of Loving Kai

They sat down and started in on their meal. Maggie looked at Abe across the table. “Are you anxious about spending your first night back at your house?”

“No. I think my mom is more nervous about it.”

“Do you have the stuff you need there?”

“Yeah. She and Dad moved a bunch of it to my house today, and I bought a crib the other day.”

“So you’re ready.”

“I believe I am.” He took a bite of taco and nodded. “Mmm. Delicious.”

Kai didn’t wake up until they moved him from the stroller to the car seat. He was grumpy all the way home, even though Maggie tried to distract him. Once they got home and Abe set him loose in the living room, Kai’s mood lifted, and he spent some time exploring his new territory.

Maggie looked around. “You guys did good getting it ready for him.”

“It was all Lucia. I just followed her around and did what she told me to do.”

Abe watched Kai for a few moments. “I guess I should get some food in him, then a bath and bed.”

“Would you like some help with that?”

Abe sighed. “I should say no and tackle this first night alone with him by myself.”

“But…?”

“But, I’d love some help. Or at least company. Maybe someone watching over my shoulder to make sure I don’t screw something up.”

“I can be all three of those things. Food first?”

“Yeah. Can we leave him in here unsupervised?”

“We’ll keep an eye on him if he doesn’t follow us to the kitchen.”

They went to the kitchen and prepared a bowl for Kai with bite-sized pieces of green beans, some Rice-a-Roni, and some bites of sliced turkey.

“It’s not street tacos, but I think he’ll like it.” Kai had followed them into the room and was under the table playing with a ball. “Come on out of there, kid. Time for dinner.”

Kai climbed out, then held up his arms. Abe picked him up and put him in the highchair.

Kai held his arms out again. “Papa?”

“Yeah, kid?”

“Hug.”

Abe knelt in front of the highchair. “You want a hug from me?”

“Papa hug.”

Abe hugged him, then stood. “Okay. Time to eat.” He took the bowl from Maggie and set it on the tray, then looked at her. “What?”

She held out her arms. “Abe hug.”

He smiled. “I didn’t realize that worked for women, too.” He hugged her, and she held him tight for a moment.

“I’m so proud of you.”

He pulled back and looked at her. “Why?”