“Thanks!” Midnight says, quite pleased, plopping down in front of me with a glass of orange soda. Jesse lays on his side next to both of us, quite calm and casual. “Miss Ella has been very nice and gives me whatever I ask for, and also brings me stuff up too. She brings me lots of clothes.”“Mom lov
Midnight stares between Jesse and I with a frown. “What?” she asks. “What’s surprising about this?”“You’d really come and take care of Marigold?” I whisper, shocked and a little thrilled. I mean, I never even thought about hiring a nanny – but then again, I haven’t thought about much of anything at
I smile at her, charmed again. “I don’t know. Maybe I should have asked before I flipped out, hmm?”“Probably,” she says with a shrug, taking another long sip of her drink as she carefully considers me. “Do you want a puppy, Ariel? Because if it’s your mate’s puppy, it’s going to be around and stuff
When Jesse, Mark, and I arrive back in the living room, I give my father a steady nod of acknowledgement before I move immediately for Jacks.He reaches for me with one arm, the other stretched out next to Marigold, holding a handful of beads up for her and Seraphina as they sit on the couch, string
Jackson tenses, snarling too, tucking his daughter a bit behind him as Hank’s eyes go wide, staring at the little girl.“What’s going on here?” Jackson growls. “How do you –““What is going on?” a voice says. “Dad, let me through –“Maryam steps forward then, peering into the room with a frown, scow
“Oh…oh my god,” Maryam says, taking a step back, shock all over her face. She presses a hand to her heart, shaking her head. “She’s…gone? That’s…that’s so fucking awful…”“You knew her?” I ask, stepping close to Jackson’s side and glancing at Marigold, wondering if she should be listening to this.“
“Let me take this little rabbit,” Maryam says, quite gentle and friendly, reaching for Marigold. Jackson tilts the little girl towards her friend and Marigold laughs, going happily and easily to Maryam, who takes her over to the window to look outside.“I’m so sorry, Jackson,” Hank says, coming clos
“Has Ella looked her over?” Hank asks, his professional demeanor returning now as he studies Marigold from a few feet away. Maryam turns, hearing the shift in her father’s voice and bringing Marigold back over. “Is she healthy, besides being malnourished?”“Oh, she’s fine,” mom says, clearly overhea