Page 84 of Seal of Approval

Bailey and Rose were waist-deep in the water, holding the board Timmy was standing on. They walked alongside him as they moved the board through the water. He balanced himself perfectly over the little waves. When they turned the board around and gave it a push, he surfed all the way in. When it hit the sand, the little ball of orange wearing a makeshift life jacket jumped into the water and ran to us.

Rose clapped. “That’s the furthest he’s gone by himself.”

Ethan bent down to pick him up and winced. Regardless of the pain, he grabbed Timmy and lifted him, giving him ear rubs. Timmy nuzzled into him. Ethan breathed deeply and winced again. Damn. The doctor said it would take six weeks for his ribs to heal. By then his stay would be coming to an end. We would be coming to an end. My chest tightened.

* * *

Ethan and I were standing in the kitchen, making bacon and eggs for breakfast.

“I don’t know why you get the queen bed. I’m the one who needs to share a bed with Timmy,” Rose said from Bailey’s room. He’d moved back in there a week ago, and this was a constant argument. The house next door was finally finished but it didn’t matter. Ethan wouldn’t be moving there.

“Like he takes up so much space.”

The toast popped up and I buttered it.

“He does. He likes to stretch out.” She glared at Bailey.

“He shares the bed with me too and we don’t have any issues.”

“Because you have a queen bed,” Rose said. Her tone implied that Bailey was an idiot.

Ethan served out the bacon and eggs. “We could just move the other queen bed in from next door for Rose.”

“You indulge her too much.” I failed at hiding my smile.

It was a good idea, though. Especially if it meant we didn’t need to hear about fairness and equality and favouritism for another four weeks, or ever.

“I’ll call Jack after breakfast to see if he can help,” I said.

“I’m sure we can manage.”

It had been six weeks, but moving furniture still seemed excessive for someone recovering from fractured ribs.

“Why don’t we see how you feel after our swim today?”

He nodded. Swimming with sea lions could be intense with sudden and jerky movements if they wanted to play. He might not feel up to it after that.

“Breakfast,” I yelled out as I set the plates on the table.

Rose sat down at the table first. “I?—”

“I don’t want to hear it,” I said, holding up my hand.

She sank back into her chair and pouted.

“Ethan suggested we bring over the other queen bed from next door for you,” I said.

She sat up straight and looked at Ethan. “Can we, Ethan?”

Not can we Mum. Oh no, I didn’t count anymore.

Bailey rolled his eyes. “Now who’s the favourite?”

“Shut up. You were the favourite first.”

Ethan looked between them with tight lips. He’d mastered the stern dad look, alright. “If you’re not careful, both of you will have single beds.”

Bailey screwed his face up at his sister. She poked her tongue out. Ethan held in his laughter. I would miss this simple family time together. I’d miss Ethan more than I was willing to think about. We finished the meal in peace and then headed out to the boat. Ethan had tried swimming with the sea lions two weeks ago, but it had been too much for him. He was sure today was the day.

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