Will chuckled at the thundering of Ella's departing footsteps, a little surprised to find himself amused rather than stung by the glimmer of memory it evoked.
Patrick vanished into the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone once more, and Will allowed himself to be led into the living room, his hand comfortably laced with Clio's. But when she started her gentle fussing over him, he thought he could detect an edge of anxiety in her voice, and he stopped short of the sofa.
"Hey," he turned to face her, catching her other hand. "You don't have to do a thing just now, sweeting. Patrick's mashing the tea. And I have it on good authority that there are cookies in the offing," he added with a small crook of the mouth. "Sit with me?"