Chuckling, I slid my hands through his silky coat to scratch his ruff.
"Cove," I said, "I'm sorry I don't have an animal spirit for you to bond with. There's just me in here."
It is okay, mate! I will make you happy!
"You can call me Angelo or Gelo."
Yes, mate!
Sorry,Emerson cut in,but he'll probably continue to call you mate.Like I said, he's unsophisticated and immature.
"He's precious," I corrected.
Cove's tail waved like a windshield wiper on high, and his upper half sank to the grass with his front legs stretched out in front of him.
"What is he doing,orsacchiotto(teddy bear)?" I asked Emerson.
Inviting you to play with him. You don't have to. He'll be satisfied if you just watch him run around for a bit.
"No, no. I'm not missing this opportunity. You want to play, Cove?"
Yes, mate! Chase fireflies?
"Oh, my darling, I'd love to!"
21: Decisions, Decisions
Posy
"Pass the butter,orsacchiotto," Angelo murmured to Emerson.
We were all eating breakfast around the dining room table when Angelo's quiet request sent the four witches into a fit of giggles.
"That's adorable!" Beatrix squealed.
"Aw, what a cute nickname!" Ariel laughed.
"Orsacchiotto?"Sara raised her eyebrows. "Really, Gelo?"
"Well, he's as big as a bear!" Maria giggled and bounced on Matthew's lap. With a groan, he grabbed her hips and held her still, and a pretty pink blush dusted her cheeks.
I know what that's about, I thought, smug in my new knowledge.
"You called him a bear?" Cole asked as he looked from Emerson to Angelo.
"Ateddybear," Ariel and Beatrix corrected him in unison.
Emerson turned bright red, and Angelo chuckled as he half-stood and kissed Emerson's forehead. Emerson growled, looped his arm around his mate's waist, and dragged him onto his lap. Then he buried his face in Angelo's back.
The queen and I joined the witches as they cooed and giggled at the couple.
I'd declined sitting on any of my boys' laps, even though they'd all offered, because I didn't want it to look like I was favoring one of them over the others. Seeing their sad faces when I shook my head, I decided I'd work out a rota later. For now, I sat between Cole and Mason and across from the others.
Speaking of, I looked over at the three musketeers and grinned. Both Wyatt and Ash's eyes were currently riveted on my plate, and it was obvious they were only waiting until I was done before trying to beat each other to my leftovers.
Mischief stirring in me, I stood and scraped my eggs on Wyatt's plate and my bacon on Ash's. Their jaws dropped, and I giggled as I plopped back into my chair.
"Posy!" Wyatt pouted.