tight.
Mallory looked unsure for the briefest of moments, but then she smiledâactually smiledâand hugged Fiona back.
âHow is her face not cracking?â Edward asked in a low whisper.
Caitlin stifled a laugh.
âThank you very much for letting me stay with you,â Fiona said as she stepped back from the hug.
âWhat is all the commotion out here?â Daniel said in mock anger as he came up to the door.
âSorry, Taid,â Fiona said. âNana and I were just saying hello.â
There was a very brief moment of silence among the adults. Edwardâs father gave him a questioning look, but Edward just shook his head.
âWell,â Daniel said, his surprise gone, âI suppose the ruckus is understandable, then.â
Fiona turned to Mallory. âNana, weâre going to have to keep it down around Taid.â
âOr we can just send him to his study while we have our fun,â Mallory said conspiratorially.
âYeah,â Fiona agreed.
âWell, letâs get you unpacked,â Mallory said and held her hand out to Fiona, who took it. She led Fiona down the hall. âYouâll be staying in your daddyâs old room. Then weâre going to the park.â
Edward looked on, dumbfounded.
âBye, Mommy,â Fiona said as she ran back and gave Caitlin a big hug and kiss. âI love you.â
âI love you too, peanut,â Caitlin said. âBe good.â
âI love you too, Daddy,â Fiona said.
Edward bent down and hugged Fiona. âI love you.â
Then she ran back to Mallory and disappeared down a hallway.
Edward just stared after them.
Daniel patted his shoulder but looked at Caitlin. âThank you for asking us to do this,â he said.
Caitlin smiled. âMy pleasure.â She handed him a sheet of paper, which he took. âYouâve got our cell numbers, but just in case, hereâs the number for the hotel, as well as Henry and Hannahâs cell numbers. If you need anything, call anytime.â
âOf course,â Daniel said. âThe same goes for you. Call anytime you want to talk to her.â
âIâm going to hold you to that promise,â Caitlin said. âFrom the looks of it, Iâm going to miss her more than sheâs going to miss me.â
âIâm sure thatâs not true,â Daniel said. âBut weâll do our best to keep her occupied and spoil her rotten before we give her back to you.â
Caitlin laughed and hugged him. She was surprised, pleasantly so, when he hugged her back. âThank you, Daniel.â
âGo on, you two,â he said, breaking the hug. âGet out of here so I can enjoy some time with my granddaughter. Have a good time.â
âWe will,â Caitlin said.
Daniel closed the door, leaving Edward still bewildered.
âI think I better drive,â Caitlin said through a laugh, taking the keys from Edward.
âThere must be some mistake,â Edward said, still staring at the house as he walked to the passenger side of the car.
âWhat are you talking about?â Caitlin asked as she got in and buckled up.
âThose were not my parents,â Edward said and shut his door. âThey mustâve been replaced by aliens or something.â
Caitlin started the car and headed to the airport. âA wizard has nothing on the power of a little girl,â she said. âBesides, donât be too hard on them. Either because of them or in spite of them, that childhood is the reason you are who you are. And I love that person very much.â
Edward took her hand and kissed it, then smiled. âYou are so getting a foot rub tonight.â
âJust tonight?â Caitlin asked. âOh, no. There will be weeks of foot rubs.â
âW e made it safe,â Caitlin said into her cell phone. âNo, Mallory, Edward is driving.â
Edward chuckled a little as he navigated I-10, occasionally
Learning to Kill: Stories