Page 152 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“Twins,” said Biddie, holding them out to Ash, one on eachsmall palm.
“Once upon a time, Amaranthine nearly always came into theworld two-by-two.” His brows lifted a little. “Cyril has a twin. So does Rook,for that matter.”
Tami liked this part of stories. With each retelling, freshnuances came to light.
Ash said, “Tyrone is my pheasant brother, and his gift isanother avian tradition. He’s saying he wants me and Tami to multiply. Kind oflike saying, ‘Hurry up and make me an uncle.’”
Tyrone’s gift was quite practical, by avian standards,because he’d provided for the potential future of two nephews, who might oneday wish to begin their own courtships. Tami had been startled to learn that Tyronewas not only bonded, but already three times a father. He had two sons of hisown.
“It’s for a tooth.” Ash showed Biddie how to unscrew thetop. “An egg tooth, for those born in truest form. But they’d work just as wellfor baby teeth.”
Biddie selected other gifts, and Ash seemed pleased by herinterest. If Tami had ever entertained doubts over her plans to publicize theirrelationship, he banished them that evening. Ash’s gifts were no more secretthan his feelings for her. How many times—and in how many ways—had he said itplainly?I love you.
Sitting up, Ash asked, “Would you like to see what I broughttonight?”
From the pocket of his jeans, he brought out something witha length of glittering chain. Uncurling his fingers, he showed Biddie an eggthat had been carved from dark green crystal. Its entire surface was etchedwith intricate sigilcraft.
“I’m courting Tamiko, so this is from me to her. But it’salso partly from Jiminy, who has a way with crystal. And it’s also mostly foryou, Chick-a-biddie.” Ash undid the clasp. “Even though it means my presentwon’t help to fill up you sister’s bag, I would be happiest if you’ll wearthis.”
“For me?”
“Yes. Do you understand why I’ve been bringing so many giftsfor Tamiko?”
The girl kept her eyes on the necklace as he fastened itaround her neck. “Ash loves my Tami.”
“That’s right. And sometimes, I want to keep her all tomyself.” He lifted her chin. “But I also know how much your Tami loves you. Iwould never try to take her away. And I would never try to keep you apart.”
She traced the sigils, quiet once more.
“We’ll share a home, Biddie. My wings are wide enough toshelter you both within our nest.” He wafted his wings demonstrably.
Biddie said, “A promise for me?”
“I promise to be your brother.” He lightly touched the threecourting gifts from Faisal, Giuseppe, and Tyrone. “You’ll have three of us, youknow. A crow brother, a squirrel brother, and a twin brother.”
Small fingers closed around her very own treasure.“Brother,” she said, as if conferring a title.
Tami’s heart swelled, and because she wasn’t sure if she’dever said it plainly enough, she touched Ash’s shoulder and said, “I love you.”
Days passed with a veneer of normalcy. Argent regularlysent Tami books to read, links to follow, and checklists to complete. Cyrilmade a present of Faisal, whose energy and efficiency were nothing short ofmiraculous, and Lord Mettlebright—for lack of a better word—retaliated byassigning both his son Gingko and a pleasant young diplomat named Isla toTami’s team.
Cooperation. Coordination. Everything was humming along,right on schedule. Almost.
As December neared, one item had been sitting at the top ofArgent’s checklist for two weeks—inform next of kin. Tami was almostsure this was evidence of the fox’s dark sense of humor. Either that, or he wasteasing her. Because she kept finding ways to put off the conversation, eventhough she was sure it would go well.
Her parents were far from dense, but Tami got the impressionthat they thought all the secrets were on the Reaverson side.
Quite literally in passing—since they were in the upstairshall—Tami confided in Melissa.
She should have realized that a battler was more aboutstrategies than sympathies.
“Tonight. I’ll create an opening. You take it.” Melissaclapped her shoulder. “Lock and load.”
It wasn’t as detailed as the schedules Isla drew up, butTami had a feeling it would get the job done.
That evening, Tami realized that Melissa must have involvedJoe in her plans. All he did was raise his hand, but by the time he lowered itagain, Melissa was out the kitchen door. And when she returned, she hustled twojanitors into the house ahead of her.
“I’d like to call a family meeting,” she announced. “Now.”
