"Yeah."
"Then don't worry, I've talked to Callie too."
"Awesome.Or is it?"
"I wouldn't go as far as awesome, but I'm hopeful.Put it that way.What did Alara say?"
"That yeah, she and Zia would love to come and stay at Dad's place.And that she's happy for me to drive them down here.She's still not up to it.And I don't want to be a pain or anything, but have you done anything about...?"
"Yeah, I talked to Rosa.She does all the payroll for the staff on the estate.I figured that was easier than making Alara an employee of the business.So anytime Alara wants to swing by — anytime you want to bring her — she can get all the paperwork signed and be good to go.You know me, I don't know much about the details when it comes to the health insurance.There may be a waiting period or something, I don't know.But Reaves, no matter how that works out, take her to a doctor as soon as you can, okay?I don't want her to have to wait.I'll pay."
"Thanks, bud.I'm not even going to say anything about no or you shouldn't have to.This is one of those situations where it just needs to happen.And I'm just grateful that you can make it happen."
"I am too.I still have my issues with him, but it’s times like this that I truly appreciate my dad and all the money he gave me."
"And that takes me back to — if you really appreciate him, maybe you should try giving him a chance."
Ollie sighed."I'll think about it, okay?If it'll make you feel any better.Have you and Alara decided when you're going up there?"
Reaves chuckled."No, that's what I'm calling you to decide.I wanted to make sure that it's going to be okay for you and Callie.But it sounds like it is."
"I'm hoping so.And as far as I'm concerned, the sooner the better."
~ ~ ~
When she arrived at the airport, Callie parked the truck and cut the engine.She stared out at the runway for a moment, smiling as she remembered the last time she'd been here with Ollie.Well, their goodbye hadn't been all that great, but the last time she'd flown in here with him — that had been awesome.
"Are you okay?"
She turned to smile at Alara."Yeah, I'm fine, thanks.Don't worry.I'm looking forward to seeing him."
"Me too," Zia piped up from her seat in the back."I can't wait to see Prince Daddy.You're not mad at Secret King anymore, are you, Lady Sunshine?"
Callie looked over her shoulder to smile at her."No, I'm not.It was just a bit of a misunderstanding, that's all."
Zia nodded sagely."Sometimes people keep secrets for good reasons, you know.Isn't that right, Mommy?"
Alara smiled through pursed lips."It is, Z.But even when they're for the right reason, secrets sometimes hurt people.It's always best to be honest when you can."
"I know.Can we get out and go and look for the airplane?"Zia asked."I finally get to see them flying."
Callie chuckled."You know they fly inside the plane, right?They don't just fly themselves."
She panicked for a moment when Zia's little eyebrows drew together.She hoped that she hadn't just destroyed one of the kid's illusions.She relaxed when Zia smiled and said, "They have to fly in an airplane so they can take people with them.But I know they have wings.They just hide them well."She met Callie's gaze."That's one of his secrets, you know.Secret King."
They got out, and Alara unbuckled Zia from her seat.Callie hadn't been sure whether they'd all be able to fit in the truck on the way back, but Zia had been so desperate to come to meet the guys when they landed.Alara had wanted to come, too.And if she were honest, Callie was grateful not to be left alone with Reaves and Ollie.It was going to be difficult enough later when it was just Ollie.They still had so much to say to each other.
Zia caught Alara's hand and then took Callie's as well."I'm going to miss the Land of Fog and Clouds, you know."She looked up."But you will come visit us, won't you?When we live at the castle with Grandpa Grape?"
Callie smiled."Don't you worry.You know I'll see you again."
"I wish you could come and live in Grape Land, too."
Callie was grateful to Alara when she pointed to the row of small aircraft standing in front of the hangars."Have you seen the planes, Z?"
Zia studied them closely."They're very small.I thought airplanes were bigger.The ones that came to the Kingdom of Cornflowers were much bigger, weren't they?"
"They were," Alara agreed."Oh, but look — do you think this might be them?"
