“You up for some kitten therapy?” Lake asked when we headed toward the house for a coffee break.
The weather was hot enough we were planning on iced coffees, something that Rey had decided should be our new drink of choice when we wanted caffeine. He’d come up with cold brewing and for the last couple of days we’d been treated like kings on the coffee front.
I raised a brow at Lake. “Kitten therapy?”
“Yeah, Rey and Seb decided it’s time to start having them play downstairs during the day.”
“Oh, that sounds great. I’m definitely up for that.” I couldn’t help but to grin. I was more of a dog person, but who could resist kittens?
We cleaned up, and by the time we came out of Lake’s bathroom, all flushed from getting frisky, Rey had the kittens downstairs in the living room.
“They’ve grown so fast,” I marveled. It wasn’t as if I’d never seen kittens before, we’d had plenty of them before because Ruth had loved fostering them, but I hadn’t been upstairs in a while and I felt like the fuzzballs had doubled in size.
“They eat like crazy,” Rey said proudly as he shook a few toys out of the carrier he’d used to bring the kittens downstairs.
“I can see that,” I murmured, sitting on the floor so I could lean on the couch.
“I’ll make the coffees.” Lake’s tone was fond, and he was smiling when I looked up.
“Okay. I’ll be right here.” I concentrated on the babies now crawling over my legs. I did some math and asked Rey, “They’ll be around for a few more weeks or so, right?”
“Yeah, something like that. We won’t be adopting them out until at least twelve weeks. They were five-ish when you brought them from your friend’s place, so three or four weeks more I think.” He sprawled on the floor nearby, and the calico kitten went to investigate, while the two black ones used me as a jungle gym.
I played with the kittens and chatted with Rey for a while. Then it struck me that Lake was still making coffee.
I turned my attention toward the kitchen. “Babe, what are you up to?”
“I’m making sandwiches to go with the coffee,” he murmured just loud enough for us to hear. “I thought you’d be hungry and I know Rey and I need a snack, too.”
It was afternoon, but I still felt surprisingly hungry even though I’d had some ramen for lunch only a few hours before.
“Oh, good call.” I wasn’t sure if anyone had ever cared for me like this. Sure, my mom had been loving and devoted to us kids once, but I only remembered the set meal times and if you missed one you’d be told off and then you’d go hungry. Growing up had been a struggle with a mother who hadn’t understood how much energy a growing teenage boy needed, but at least I’d had my odd job money I used for snacks I never brought home.
“Lake, are you my mom now?” Rey deadpanned from his pile of cat toys and kittens.
Lake guffawed and shook his head but said nothing. He carried the food and drinks to the table and told us to come eat.
I exchanged a glance with Rey which made us both laugh.
The kittens were confused about why we left, so they came after us, then started to explore the rest of the room while we sat down, mindful of tiny paws underneath the table and chairs.
As I said, I leaned over to kiss Lake. “Thank you, baby.”
“Of course.” He grinned wickedly. “You’ll need your energy tonight.”
“Oh eww,” Rey complained, looking disturbed, but also amused so that was a plus. “Nobody wants to hear about their parents doing it.”
I burst out laughing, briefly amazed at this new family I’d found after losing Ruth. When we lost her, it was as if everything in my life changed, like a rug had been pulled out from under me. Now, while I still missed her like crazy, I wouldn’t trade these guys for anything.
Ben wandered in and looked spooked by the kittens. Rey noticed, and since he’d scarfed down his sandwich, he went to show Ben the ropes.
“Here, sit with me,” he told Ben.
Obviously hesitant, Ben sat where I’d been sitting earlier and froze in terror when Rey plopped the calico kitten on his thigh.
“W-what’s it doing?” Ben breathed out nervously.
“She’s a kitten, so she wants to explore. You’re a new person, so you’re interesting.”
