“That’s a great idea, we could go visit for a few days. They might have a lot more questions, they might have worries and concerns, we can drop off the luggage.”
“Aye, we will go as soon as James, Quentin, and Zach return from colonial times.”
I grinned. “Perfect. Man, I can’t wait to hear their stories.” I looped my finger in one of his long locks and twirled it around, becoming sleepier as our whispered conversation drew to a close.
He said, “Aye, the message in the… what was it called?”
“Poor Richard’s Almanack.”
“It said they were havin’ a verra good time.”
“Yeah, it was wild to see James’s handwriting there.” I yawned. Then asked, “Middle of the night, what are we going to do?”
“Ye seem tired, but I think I am up for good, I could go tae night-watch on the walls.”
I said, “You know what I would love to do? Watch tv like we used to, in bed.”
He said, “Sounds good tae me,” and began fluffing his pillow to lean on while I reached over to the nightstand, pulled the remote from the drawer, and powered it on.
“Let’s see… what should we watch?”
I turned on the Roku and began scrolling through the streaming channels, picking an episode ofFriends.
Magnus said, “There inna a talking yellow sponge in this one?”
“Nope, they’re a group of friends…” the television glow flickered on our bed in the darkness.
“Hence the name… ought I tae ask Chef Zach tae bring us some popcorn — och nae, he inna here.” His eyes went wide.
“Is this the first you’ve noticed?”
“He has been gone for so long, how much longer must I suffer?”
“I know, it’s been three days. It’s amazing how strong you’ve been.”
“...and selfless. I can withstand anything as long as he returns on the morrow.” He shifted down under the covers and put his head on my shoulder. “Friendswould be much friendlier with cookies though.”
“Want me to go get them?”
He chuckled. “Och it sounds like a great deal of work for either of us, we will hae tae suffer in silence.” He watched for a moment. “But the silly fellow has ordered a muffin, och nae, I must hae something.” He tossed the covers aside and lumbered from the bed. “Make sure ye tell Zach of it, so he kens what I had tae deal with.”
“Oh I will, he will be horrified. Get me some cookies while you’re down there, please, and a glass of milk.”
He padded from the room and I heard him go down the steps, have a whispered discussion with…? It was Beaty. That was good, she wouldn’t let him come upstairs with the full gallon of milk. Probably.
A few moments later Magnus returned. He had a half-full half-gallon carton of milk and a box of brownies. “Madame Beaty said ye canna hae the cookies as Sophie has a cravin’ for them and she canna eat the chocolate.”
“Perfect, brownies are my next most favorite. I don’t mind.”
He put the carton down and climbed into bed again. He curled up beside me and put a brownie on my stomach. I giggled. “You sir, are going to get crumbs in the bed.”
He chuckled, breaking off a piece and stuffing it in his mouth. “Tis too late, there are crumbs everywhere and I dinna bring napkins.”
I ate a brownie and we passed the milk carton back and forth and drank directly from it. “Zach would be furious.”
“Aye, we must keep it a secret or he will never go on vacation again.”
Our focus turned to the show. I said, “This one is about how none of the friends are ready on time for something… I can’t remember.”
