It was still quiet at Lee's flat. Abbey was still sleeping. He had known that the child was accustomed to getting up by 6, so he had been braced for it. But it was near six, and she was still sleeping soundly.
It had taken her a long time to get to sleep the night before. She had fallen in love with the pink flannel nightgown that Lee had given her and the fuzzy pink slippers.
Lee had had no trouble getting her into a tub of bubbles. He'd had more trouble in getting her out. She had gone all animagus on him, and he found the wet puppy happily splashing water all over his bathroom. It had made him laugh.
He didn't have trouble changing her back, of course, and once she was dressed for bed, he had fixed the dinner she had requested. Fish, fried potatoes, and a salad with not only vegetables but plenty of fresh fruit.
They had read storybooks through the evening, and he had given her a cookie with pink sugars. She hadn't wanted to settle. He had gotten her a little bowl of berries, and they'd settled into his big recliner, with her new pink blanket, and he had simply talked with her, pointing out the pretty lights of London after dark.
She'd fallen asleep, laying on his chest, and he had simply stayed there with her. He had fallen asleep himself, and she was still there curled tight to him, when he woke. He had thoroughly enjoyed the time he'd spent with her. She was a wonderful child, and he was fascinated by how bright she was.
He closed his eyes, enjoying the quiet and in not needing to rush this morning. He had slipped back into a light doze again, when her little hand softly patted his cheek.
"Unca Lee," she called. "Unca Lee. Wakie, Wakie." He woke, laughing.
"Is that how you wake your daddy at home?" he asked.
"No," she shook her head. "Papa. I wakes up Papa."
"I bet he likes that," Lee laughed, trying to imagine how Robert took his sleep being intruded upon.
"He look like you," she grinned. Robert laughed too when she woke him up at home.
"I bet you're hungry," Lee said. She nodded. "Eggs?"
"Noooo," she said, as if he had offered her something foul. "Berries!"
"More berries?" Lee frowned. "Don't you get tired of berries?"
"Noooo," she said. "I likes berries."
"So I see," he said. "You know I have to take you home today."
"No...Papa work here. I go see Papa."
"Well, he does work in this city," Lee said. "Have you ever gone to see Papa at work?"
"Lots," Abbey nodded. "He gots candy in his room."
"I bet he does," Lee laughed, figuring Robert was just the sort of man to utterly spoil his grandkids. "In his desk?"
She nodded. "He say it mine."
"And I'm sure it is."
"You no drink coffee?"
"I do. Why?"
"Daddy always drink coffee. Why you no gots some?"
"I didn't want to wake you." She bounced out of the chair.
"I'm up. Get up," she ordered him. He could barely contain his laughter.
"Yes, Ma'am," he saluted her. She saluted him right back, using the wrong hand, and simply putting the palm of her hand on her forehead. Lee couldn't keep from laughing. "Its too bad I can't just keep you."
"I come back. I gots stuff here now," Abbey nodded. "I can come back, right?"
"Of course you can," He said. He headed for the kitchen, hearing the patter of her little feet right behind him.
"Brian," Khaat asked, think a bit further, "did James hurt her?"
"No," he said. "Absolutely not. If I know Lee, he's kept her simply because he's having a good time."
"Okay," she said. Marcus came back with pitchers fo tea and coffee.
"Its about time," Brian said. "I think Khaat would like some, and then we can all get what we want."
"Coming right up," Marcus said, pouring th coffee and handing it to Brian.
"Give it here," she told Brian, more than ready for some coffee.
"I think I'll help you with it for a bit, if you don't mind," Brian said.