Miller had similarly provided for the twins, possibly with Karen’s help.
After dinner, Col walked with her to a separate wing from where the boys were staying, where the room that the twins were to occupy was located.
All four of them walked into a huge room that resembled a showroom for kids furniture and toys. It was even larger than the room that she had been staying in on the Fairegrounds, and stocked with books and even a screen set into the wall, with a library of kids movies.
“It’s so pretty,” Clover said, and Brady immediately started running to make a flying leap onto one of the twin beds.
“Can we sleep in this one?” Brady asked.
Clover tugged at Lily’s hand. “And you can sleep in that one” she said, pointing to the other bed.
“I have the room next door, sweetheart.” Lily said, and she glanced at Col.
He had a grin on his face, and she couldn’t tell if it was at her words, or with the two kids who were now bouncing up and down on the bed that Brady had picked.
“You mean we each get a bed?” Clover was incredulous with her good luck.
Lily’s heart melted. Rosa had mentioned that after they had outgrown their used cribs, it had been tough for her to find two used kid-sized beds that wouldn’t be too dissimilar, and then arrange for transport. With the help of Gabe, she got the mattresses that some Ops had purchased and used only once, and set that up for the twins until she could get new beds for them. They shared a bed last night at the motel, but this was probably the first time they had actual “grown-up” beds to themselves in their short lives.
“Yes, sweetheart—” Before Lily finished, Clover was already launching herself at her bed with a loud squeal. Not to be outdone, Brady followed suit, and the twins started a game of bouncing off of each bed.
“Children,” Col’s voice cut through, and the two kids miraculously stopped, looking up at him expectantly. Lily marveled at how they responded to well to his authority.
“You can only have those beds if you use them for sleep.” He looked at Lily, and she nodded encouragingly. “I believe that there are garments for you to wear for sleep, and some nighttime rituals to you must needs attend to.”
Lily hid a little smile. For some reason, the children were charmed with Col’s quaint way of speaking. Who was she kidding, she wasn’t exactly immune to it either. “Col is right. Let’s see what pajamas you got.”
“We have new pajamas too?” Clover looked as if she couldn’t believe she could get her own bed and new pajamas.
Brady was already fishing in one of the colorful dressers shaped like small rocket ships.
“Can I wear this one?” He had pulled out a t-shirt jersey with constellations printed on them in glow-in-the dark ink.
“Absolutely,” Lily said, if you wash up and then brush your teeth for a full two minutes.”
Clover shrieked and ran over to the other dresser, pulling out a t-shirt that had a circus theme on it, with matching leggings. “This is awesome!”
“Same deal,” Lily couldn’t help smiling at their glee. “Bathroom’s that-a-way.”
She pointed into the room, where Miller had thoughtfully provided two plastic step stools for the sink, and colorful toothbrushes and glittery toothpaste. The twins exuberantly raced in.
“Perhaps I should leave,” Col said, but he made no move to go. Lily looked at him, but before she could answer, Clover came running back out. She tugged at Col’s hand.
“Will you read us a bedtime story after?”
Lily couldn’t tell who was more surprised, she or Col. He was the first to recover. “I shall stay and tell you a story.”
“But only if you both wash up, and brush for a full two minutes, not a second less, ok?” Lily added, and then she looked at Col awkwardly, tilting her head in the direction of the bathroom. “I better go help them.”
“I shall assist you.” Col said, and followed her into the room, where the kids engrossed themselves in showing Col how well they could make the toothpaste foam up.
In short order, the twins were in their new pajamas, and in between the covers of their new beds. Lily had dimmed the light, so the only illumination was from the soft glow of the bedside lamp that the twins shared. Col had pulled up one of the ottomans in the space between the beds, and his broad form was seated on it, with Lily standing against the wall near Clover’s bed.
Both kids were propped up against their fluffy pillows, their arms wrapped around a stuffed animal each had picked out of the large selection in the room. Brady’s was a stuffed monkey, and Clover had picked out a cute penguin with huge eyes. It made Lily think of Mr. Calabash.
Lily suddenly felt an icy stab of worry. WherewasMr. Calabash? She didn’t remember seeing the stuffed bison in the trailer, but then again, she had been preoccupied with grabbing enough clothes for the twins and finding a motel at the time. Did she even bring Mr. Calabash to the trailer?
Yes, she was certain she did. She had a vague recollection of tossing Mr. Calabash into her overnight duffel. She couldn’t bear to think of losing him, but she forced herself to slow her breaths. Calm herself down. Listen to the soothing sounds of Col’s voice sweep over her. Who would have thought that large hunk of hotness would be so good with kids?
