Luke Henry is cursed to live for (aneternity) wrote in rooms,
The puppy was up and scrambling for the door as soon as the knock sounded, followed closely by Gus, who told Cygne to 'hush' because Lia was sleeping and if she 'woked up' she'd start crying. Finch, who was older and better trained, sat up but didn't move. Luke was halfway to the door when she second set of knocks came, and he nudged the puppy back to open the door.
The little girl who stood in the open doorway was a lot bigger than he remembered, and he marveled at how messed up time really was when the hotel was involved. Gus, who was clearly expecting someone smaller, stepped back behind his father, peering out from behind his leg. "We have two," Luke told the little girl, and he smiled when she mentioned that they were supposed to get one too.
"Maybe never seems to matter." He looked from the little girl up to Ella, who was still familiar despite the passing of time. "Hi. Come in." The house was warm and smelled of brewing coffee, and Luke stepped back to let them in, nudging Gus back in the process. The little boy eyed Elizabeth with a gaze older than his years, sharper than it should have been, trying to work things out for himself.
Luke figured he could give him a little nudge. "You remember Beth-- sorry, Elizabeth, right?" After a second Gus nodded, and offered a small smile. "I like your hat."