Tommy's hair flopped over his forehead when he rapidly nodded his head.
I handed the kitten back. "Then I guess he can stay, but you're going to have to name him."
Tommy's eyes grew round like saucers. "But what do I name him?"
I chuckled at the befuddled expression on his face. Kids were so great. They didn't put on false pretenses. Everything they felt was right there on their faces.
"You can name him anything you want," I replied, "but remember, he's going to have this name for the rest of his life. Make it a good one."
"Apex."
My eyebrows shot up. "Apex?"
How did a three-year-old even know that word?
"I heard Daddy say it. Apex predadeder. He said that means big and bad. I want my kitty to be big and bad 'cause he's so small."
Made perfect sense to me. "Okay, Apex it is."
Bob was going to laugh himself silly.
"Now, who's up for breakfast?"
"I can make us something," Jojo said.
"Don't worry about it, mate. Henry puts on a buffet three times a day. The rest of the time, there are always snacks and such we can get from the kitchen."
"I like to cook."
"Yeah?" I grinned. "Maybe when we combine the two suites, we can put in a real kitchen. As much as I like meeting up with everyone over dinnertime, I think I'd enjoy family dinners just as much. Although, I have to warn you, I'm not much of a cook."
Jojo chuckled. "I love to cook. Granted, not on Henry's level, but I know my way around a kitchen."
"Nice." I gave Jojo a quick peck on the lips before standing. "I need to get dressed, and then we can go downstairs to eat."
"What about Apex?" Tommy asked.
"He has to stay here. There's a no pet policy for the dining room." One too many times of Mustachio jumping up on the table and Sinclair had put his foot down. Not pets in the dining room. Did Bob give you a harness and leash?"
Tommy shook his head.
Huh.
"Oh, what's your favorite color?"
"Green."
"You need to tell Bob that. He'll get Apex a harness and leash, and then you can take Apex to the park with everyone else. Bob, Henry, and Sinclair walk their cats in the park almost every day."
Tommy's eyes rounded again. "To the park?"
I nodded.
"And I can go, too?"
"Well, you have to have someone with you, and you have to ask your dad first, but yeah."
"Can we, Daddy?" Tommy's face became animated. "Can we go to the park?"
