Page 120 of Johnathan

“That’s right. Honey showed us a picture of boots today in class, didn’t she?” Abby asked as she stirred the spaghetti sauce.

“Yes! She’s so cute! A baby cat!”

“Katy, do you remember what a baby cat is called?”

“Abby.” Katy rolled her eyes and giggled as she picked up the purple crayon that was next to John’s hand. “It’s a kitten!”

“Good job.”

“Well, I want a kitten. I ask Santa for one.”

“We haven’t even had Thanksgiving yet and you already want to bug Santa about presents?” John laughed.

Katy frowned. “Santa listens all the time. He knows what I want. I has to tell him so he has time to get it.”

“Yeah, well I’m pretty sure there’s a rule at the North Pole that no animals can ride in the sleigh as presents.”

“Fine. I ask Santa for something even better!”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“A baby brudder!”

The wooden spoon she was holding slipped out from her hand and clattered against the counter. John’s laugh filled the kitchen but Abby stayed frozen, waiting to hear what he said.

“A baby brother, or sister, is something a daddy and a mommy have to work on together, okay?”

“Oh. I see. When Abby bees my mommy, then I gets a baby brudder?”

“Something like that.”

“Well, I think Abby is a really good mommy already. So I gets a baby soon.”

Thirty-Six

“Hey, girls, we’re home!” John’s voice carried from the garage into the kitchen.

“Hey, Sam.” Abby walked towards her brother and pulled him into a hug.

“Don’t squeeze too hard. Didn’t I just see you two days ago? You can’t be missing me already.”

“Sorry. I think I just didn’t realize how emotional I’d be seeing you out and about again. At Thanksgiving, I could pretend like nothing happened. It was just you, me, and Mom like it’s been for years.”

“Yeah, well, John promised there was a recliner with my name branded on it. I’m here to hold it down for him until the rowdy crowd gets here.”

John laughed. “It’s been a while since you’ve been over, but the living room hasn’t changed. Go on and sit. Jackson just messaged me that he and Grace are on their way over.”

John placed his hand on Abby’s back and curled her into his chest.

“It’s going to be a great day. Our friends, all here to celebrate what we’re all most thankful for.” He cupped her face and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“I’m still not used to seeing that.” Sam’s voice carried in from the living room, making Abby and John both laugh.

“I’m going to head back into the kitchen. I don’t want the potatoes to boil over.”

“What do you need me to do?”

“Nothing right now. But maybe you and the guys can be in charge of the grill for me? Oh, and we need to set up the chairs for the kids. Grace told me she’d be bringing a little booster seat with a tray for Jack, but it clips onto a regular dining chair so he can sit at the table.”

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