Keska blinked.“I never said that.I own quarters on the Makarro block.The ones with the balconies overlooking the gardens.”
Aluhara stared and blinked.“Why would you buy property there if you don’t intend to live there?”
“So that Kessie can have more family wealth at her disposal if she needs it.”Keska frowned.
“Oh.My.That is a very expensive set of apartments.”
The server came in and put the tea down.Keska asked, “Is it?”
Sorooth chuckled and looked at Hedoreth.“Yes.She has that kind of funds.”
“I can’t help it if folks like to buy the things I make.”She started fiddling with the metal in her purse.She worked it and calmed down.Kessie put her hand on her arm and stroked her shoulder.
Aluhara frowned.“What are you doing?”
“Um.Making something?I think I grabbed a handful of platinum.”
Kessie said, “Mom makes things when she’s nervous.”
“Ah.Well, how did you meet Sorooth?”
He smiled, and Keska’s hands worked faster.
“Um, I was the prototype escort for the BDC, and Sorooth was a patron.Kessie knows the story, but we were working on the masks and coming up with the protocols for escorts and patrons so everyone could be safe.Mostly.”
Kessie grinned.“And then I came along.”
“And we realized that having just one party on birth control was insufficient.”She put her arm around Kessie and kissed the top of her head.
Aluhara paused, looked from Sorooth to Keska, and she and her husband started laughing.
When they slowly halted their laughter, they sighed, and the meals arrived.
Aluhara paused.“So, that was fortuitous.”
“We think so, but that policy was created because Kessie was on board.Funnily enough, Sorooth wasn’t upset.”
Kessie grinned.“There are pictures every month, and then every three months when Dad took me with him.”
Aluhara frowned.“You didn’t take care of her?”
“I did, and then Sorooth took care of her.It was our agreement.He came to see me with her every three months, and the stronghold was demanding that he return to residence.Though that could have just been Lia.”
Aluhara made a disappointed sound.Keska slumped, and her fingers moved madly as she crafted something that she had in a portion of her mind.
Aluhara touched her arm.“I am sorry.I just dreamed of being a mother for so long that I could never imagine parting from my child.”
“So, all of your children are with you at the stronghold?”
“No.”
“But they are all living together, heavily guarded, and comfortable.”
“No.Oh.I see your point.”
“I let Kessie go because she needed to not be with me.It wasn’t safe.She was safe with her father, and that is where she went, and she has had wonderful adventures.”
Kessie leaned on her.“It’s okay, Mom.What did you make?”
