Ginny lifted her chin. “I’ve always been wise; you guys just insist on treating me like a baby all the time.”
“Because you areourbaby,” Emmeline teased, and Ginny glared. Emmeline held up her frosting-covered hands. “You’re right. I’ll be better, promise.”
Ginny smiled. “Good.” Then she grumbled, “And while you’re at it, tell Aiden, too.”
Emmeline raised her brows. “Hey, I’m not a miracle worker, okay? I don’t think Aiden is ever going to stop being protective of you. Especially since Danny—”
Ginny’s eyes shone, and she hastily blinked. She stabbed her cinnamon roll. “I’ll deal with him myself,” she said, ending that conversation.
“Good luck,” Emmeline replied. “To you and to him.”
After finishing off their treat, Emmeline hugged her little cousin goodbye, and they went their separate ways. She stood and watched as Ginny walked down the street, Fang flying beside her.
Emmeline still worried for Ginny, but Ginny was right: Emmeline had to let her make her own decisions, even if she didn’t agree or think it was best.
Calling Torch, Emmeline visited her parents’ place, where she had left Motu yesterday. Haris’s winter class was almost over, and while Samreen was back from Millie’s, so she could have watched Motu now, Emmeline found she missed the little guy. It was only another week, anyway, then Haris would be watching Motu himself.
At her parents’ place, Emmeline went to the kitchen, where Samreen was cooking a simple mutton curry for dinner.
“Hi, Ammi,” Emmeline said, kissing her mother’s cheek.
“Hello, jaani,” Samreen replied, stirring the pot. “Can you cut those tomatoes up for me?”
“Sure,” Emmeline said. Before she did, she went to kiss Motu hello; the baby dragon was playing with his toys in the living room.
She helped her mom cook dinner, the two of them chatting as they worked. It was nice. Emmeline asked her how it wasbeing back at work after being away, and Samreen told her all about it.
It was a good distraction from worrying about Luke and the meeting with Anh tomorrow.
When dinner was ready, they set the table, then called everyone to eat together. Motu came to eat with them, sitting calmly on the side.
“He’s so well behaved,” Charles said. “Look how he’s eating his food.”
“He still has his moments,” Emmeline said. Motu gave her an adorable look, and she shook her head at him. It was impossible to be angry with him, anyway.
“Well, Haris’s class is almost over, so then he’ll have to deal with him,” Naveed said, tearing a piece off his roti.
“But if he’s studying and needs a babysitter, then I’m sure Emmeline can still watch Motu,” Samreen added.
Irritation flashed through Emmeline. She wasn’t going to say anything, the way she never said anything, but then she thought of that day she had been overwhelmed, when Motu had made the smoothie explode all over her kitchen.
Being overwhelmed wasn’t anything new, but what Luke had said had struck her.You’re allowed to be tired.
And if she was allowed to be tired, she was also allowed to say no.
“I could, but I think Haris can look after Motu, now,” Emmeline said.
Samreen frowned. “But—” she started, when Haris cut in.
“Yeah, I can look after him,” he said. “He is my responsibility, after all.”
“But medical school is so difficult,” Samreen said.
“I know, and I appreciate Emmy helping me out these past few weeks, but I can do it,” Haris restated, voice firm.
“Well, if you need help, and Emmeline doesn’t want to,I’llhelp,” Samreen said, an edge in her voice. Guilt rang through Emmeline. She considered amending her refusal, when Haris let out a sigh.
“I can do it, Ammi,” Haris said. “If you let me.”
