Re: Dora and ZJ
Everything had been so incredibly painful, for everyone involved Zahara was fairly sure. She had known what was coming tonight, and there had been absolutely nothing she could do about it. Addi would have been hurt that Zahara had betrayed her trust, while Philip upset that Hyperion had betrayed his. The could had to watch as everything went south so quickly.
Zahara thought it luck that had Dora handing off fussy McKay, a reason to look away from the train wreck in front of her. She knew that while McKay did like her company, he much preferred mum as well as Uncle Hyperion. It was both their luck that Hyperion was seated next to her. He had helped her calm the fussing McKay, letting her cuddle the infant once he had calmed down.
By the time Dora came back into the room, little McKay was cuddled up with Zahara. His head was on her shoulder, though his eyes were only for the woman that had come back into the room. "Don't be sorry! I love getting to steal them for just a moment." Her smile was warm and genuine, though she was reluctantly handing over the little guy. She knew he would want mum, and it was a good distraction from the joke that was on the tip of her tongue. I'll consider this a reincheck for once Hyperion and I have children seemed like an inappropriate joke to make just then.
Asking outright if Dora was okay was a bad idea just then. Zahara knew she could likely ask when she was alone with Dora, but asking in a crowded room (even if it was family and friends) would make her uncomfortable. Hell, she rather thought it would make anyone uncomfortable. Instead however, she kept on the subject of McKay, "It seems that Uncle Hyperion has the special touch, he was able to help me get him to calm down some. I think he rather likes him."