“Mama.When Daddy told me you were here, I had to see you.”Kessie looked up at her and smiled.“You don’t mind.”
“No, baby.I don’t mind.”
“Can I visit you today?”
“Yes, your dad will have to bring you to the house because I have my fancy car, and I didn’t know you were here.Daddy didn’t mention it.”
Jienne was staring at them.“You have a daughter?”
“We have a daughter, but Sorooth was in a far better position to raise her.And this is why the male patrons go to the doctor.”
Jienne blinked and laughed.
Kessie looked at her.“Who is that?”
“That is Jienne.She’s an active who had a very bad night last night, so Ava brought her home, and I took her to the live range behind the scenes so she could see what other actives do during the day.”
“And she wanted to goad me into pushing her.”
Keska smiled.“And it did work.What did we learn?”
“I am lucky you don’t have Nelith’s adaptation.”
Keska chuckled.She looked at Sorooth.“Scoot over.Kessie, between us.”
Kessie grinned and squished between her parents.Sorooth grimaced, and Keska laughed.
She looked at Jienne.“Sorooth is an excellent mind instructor.He can tell how much you need to learn and help with a plan.”
Kessie whispered, “Can I see Nigel?”
“Yes, you can.I will send your aunts and Nigel a note that we are going to be popping by for a visit.”She tapped it out on her com.
Jienne looked at them and said, “Why don’t you live together?”
Kessie smiled.“When I was born, the stronghold made lady actives wear power restrictors all the time, and their job was to have more babies.Mom didn’t want that.Dad didn’t want that.So, I live with him and see my grandparents a lot, but now, he is being asked to teach psychic moral courses at the Aksallan university so I can see Mom more.”
Keska looked at Sorooth.“You have a professorship?”
He nodded.“It starts in a few weeks.Just time enough to get Kessie into school.”
Keska hugged and kissed the top of her daughter’s head.“Do you need anything for school?”
Sorooth smiled.“She’s about to hit puberty, so if you could take her and give her the briefing, that would be helpful.”
Kessie whispered, “They explained it in school, but I don’t object to a refresher.”
Keska laughed, and the tea was brought for them.A few of the dishes arrived, and Sorooth distributed the chopsticks.They took small bowls, and Jienne watched them as they got started.Keska passed Sorooth her bowl, and he put in rice and covered it with a sigh and a lot of chilli sauce.
Keska grinned.“Aw, you remembered.”
He laughed, and everyone had their bowl to start, so the picking out of the bamboo steamers commenced.
They were already halfway through when Salat, Khytten, and two other familiar figures arrived.Sorooth sighed.“I have to greet them.”
Keska stood up, and Kessie pressed against her, holding her around the waist.
Khytten was shocked, and Salat was stunned.“I didn’t know she was with you today.”
