Staas giggled and bowed to the more appreciative members of their audience. Not fully, of course, since Theo was up there. But he inclined his head and did a small dip, carefully holding onto his son as he did so. His grin was enough to light the sidewalk in the dusk.
He had to laugh at Ira's ninja comment, giggling his customary giggle. "I'll have to take my chances. Besides, I figure if you do ever have to get the kids for me, it'll be way easier to take them home than to your place. They'll have their toys or videos or even their food if I'm, uh, really late." Or lying in a ditch somewhere. "Just, you know. In case."
He wasn't anticipating any such disaster, of course. Not like now he'd found Ira he was suddenly going to run off and get high or let himself be mugged and wander the streets with amnesia or anything. But part of being a dad was being prepared, and he could maybe sleep a little easier knowing there was someone there for the kids in case Staas . . . Well. In case.
"Besides. I have my fierce bodyguards in case of ninja attack. Right?"
"Right!" Theo called happily and Alida made some very uncoordinated moves with her arms. "I ninja chop you!" she cried to the invisible attackers.