Georgia - Wednesday
Steaks and a good night's sleep had worked wonders and so Charlie had taken Nia to the zoo and D had had a bit of time to himself before joining them to drive them out to Cleveland for dinner with old friends Katie and Ben Fuller.
"Is she a little girl or a BIG little girl?" Nia demanded as they drove up to the house. She was desperate for someone new to play with and had been talking about Jessica all day.
"Well she's bigger than you," Deacon said, "but she's still a little girl. I think you'll like her."
They pulled up to the house and Deacon shut off the camper. He smiled as the front door of the house opened and Katie stepped out, Jessica darting from behind her and hurrying down the steps.
"Big girl," Nia said, staring and Charlie stared too then opened the door and got out of the camper and reached in to get Nia out of her seat.
"Yes, it's - two years since we saw her," Charlie said. "Doesn't time fly!"
"Looks just like her mom," Deacon said a little wistfully and climbed out of the car.
"Well look at you two," Katie said with a smile - which grew wider when she saw Nia. "Oh and look at her!"
"Heya, Katie," Deacon said, a very proud smile on his face as he glanced at Nia - who was clinging to Charlie as she stared at Jessica but he could tell her desire to play was quickly overshadowing her nervousness.
"Katie," Charlie said. "Oh and Jessica. What a nice frock. We got something for you at the zoo. Nia chose it."
Nia nodded then grinned and said, "S'a's'prise." She took the bag Charlie offered her and held it out. Inside was the biggest furriest most brightly coloured parrot either of them had ever seen and Nia had ifallen in love with it, and had nsisted they get two.
"Oh!" Jessica said and smiled brightly, taking the parrot out and showing her mom. "Thank you!" She held her hand out to Nia. "Let's go play."
Nia looked at Charlie and Deacon, who both nodded, then took Jessica's hand and they dashed off.
Katie laughed softly and then held her arms out to Deacon - who went to her and gave her a big hug.
"Fatherhood suits you," she whispered and Deacon looked a bit sheepish but happy. Jessica let him go then held her arms out to Charlie. "And you as well."
Charlie chuckled and gave her the hug then stepped back and looked her over. "Uhuh," he said, his eyes a little unfocussed. "So - a little brother or sister for Jessica? I recognise that glow."
Katie blinked and her hand went automatically to her belly and Deacon looked between them for a minute. "Well damn. Congratulations, darlin'."
"Thanks," Katie said. "But - how did you know?"
"Eh Charlie can just spot that kinda thing," Deacon said with a smile.
"I come from a long line of Welsh wizards," Charlie explained and was pleased to see her smile and put him down as a lucky guesser. "Is Ben home yet?"
"Hewas changing," Katie said and slipped an arm through each of theirs and drew them towards the house, "But by now I bet he's in the kitchen hunting up beers. You are staying here tonight, aren't you? There's plenty of room for the camper and Jessica has a bunk bed so she's been dying to have someone sleep over. Nia would be very welcome to stay with us."
"Oh that's a lovely idea. Let's see how Nia is closer to bed time," Charlie said with a smile. "Sometimes she gets a bit clingy off her own patch, but," he nodded to the sound of giggling from the side of the building, "it sounds to me as though she'd like the idea enormously."
As if in response the giggling grew louder and a little pine cone bounced off Charlie's chest, then another off Deacon's head.
"Excuse me a moment," he said. "I just need to - chasethemunchkins!"
With delighted shrieks the girls fled and Deacon ran after them, slowly, stating his intent to tickle them senseless. Katie and Charlie laughed and took the steps arm in arm up to the house where Ben, beers in hand, was waiting.