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 Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 1:26 pm
Zoe gave a little smile to Claire and Lorin. She was still grappling with the reality of what had happened on their trip, probably even more so than her dad. She had adjusted to it pretty well, but there were parts she didn't like to think about. And their words made her feel better, too. Lorin's especially.
"I hope a sister." She said, groaning. Zoe knew she'd be happy either way, but she did deeply want a sister. She kept her thoughts to herself on the matter, so as not to hurt Lorin's feelings; she didn't have anything against boys, but there was something about having another girl to do things with that really appealed to her.
"And have to raise two girls?" Phoenix feigned horror, but he was all smiles and sparkling eyes. He turned to Aaron, deadpanning. "If it's a girl can I come over when they team up on me?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 3:12 pm
All three members of the Holmes clan laughed at Phoenix's mock complaints, and Aaron extended his own hand to pat him on the arm from across the table. "Hey man, no sweat. Any time. We can have some dude time. Y'know.." He gave Claire and Zoe a playfully airy look. "Manly things, for men." Claire's eyebrows steadily rose and she laughed softly.
"That reminds me though, what makes you so sure it'll be a girl, honey?" She turned to the tiny Frei seated next to her, who was eating his remaining lemon wedge with gusto.
"'Cause then she 'n Zoe can dress up all pretty and have lotsa hair 'n stuff and do things with it," he said matter of factly, as though there were no room for debate, and both Aaron and Claire burst out laughing.
"Y'know, boys and girls can do that, buddy - y'know that, right?" Aaron asked, leaning on his elbow to peer over at his son. Lorin's eyes went wide and the lemon wedge toppled out of his hands on the plate.
"Really.. ?? You can?!" He gasped and looked up at his mother, as though seeking confirmation, but he did not wait for it as he immediately looked over at Zoe, excitement blossoming in his eyes. He had always loved what his Mama did with her hair but his was short and unmanageable. "Can we all look real pretty and nice? Can y'teach me how to do the thing with your hair when your Raevan gets here too? Maybe I can look pretty like Mama does." Claire's laughter grew and her cheeks flushed with her son's compliment. "And I can bring my stuffies over too and you can show me about lizards!"
"Slow down, sweetie," Claire said laughingly, and she playfully pinched her husband. "Look what you've started now, he'll be buzzing about your future Raevan as much as you guys are." Her tone implied this was in no way a bad thing.
"Hey, if he wants to be pretty then he'll be the prettiest," Aaron said with a dramatic sniff before a slow smile grew on his face. "The heat is on. May the odds be ever in your favor."
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Friendly Conversationalist
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Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2016 3:41 pm
Phoenix took the opportunity to beat on his chest and turn his lips downward in a dramatically serious expression. "We'll make steaks and talk about football and punching things." He had no doubt he'd spend some time with Aaron, the way things were going, but the only thing he'd listed that would actually happen would be the steaks, honestly. Manly things were his brother's forte, not his.
Zoe groaned and turned away from the men. She was grateful for the topic of hair. "I don't know how to make it curl, but you can use my clips! I think I have some with frogs," she offered with a big smile. She turned to Claire. "You can use some too. But Lorin's right, you're already pretty."
The little girl was simply thrilled at the idea of having a friend to spend time with. Lorin was nice, unlike the kids at school. He liked interesting things, too. She was really looking forward to seeing the Holmes family again.
Phoenix could see their server coming their way with trays of food. "Hey, hey," he said seriously as he moved to clear some space for their plates. "We all know that if we're going to compete, I'm always going to be the prettiest of them all."
Zoe groaned again and turned back to Lorin. "I think I might have to go see you if he keeps this up." Her statement was met with laughter from her dad. Zoe's eagerness to hang out with Lorin made him happier than he would ever be able to express. Fin.
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