Page 7 of Paternal Instincts
“I’m gonna be six on my birthday.”
“When’s your birthday?”
“At near wintertime. Movember.”
“Mine’s in November, too. We’re almost twins.”
Her pale blue eyes grew wide with disbelief, and more of her unease bled away. “Mommy said sparrows are winter birds like me. I’m a winter girl.”
In the staff lounge, I released her hand and found a folded fleece blanket on the couch, tossing it over my shoulder. Scrounging the fridge, I located a yogurt cup, a cheese string, and an orange. They belonged to colleagues, but I scribbled an explanatory note on a stray piece of paper and pinned it under a magnet.
“Come on. I want you to meet a friend of mine.”
Sparrow took my hand more willingly than the first time, and we headed toward homicide. I found Aslan, feet kicked up on his desk and scrolling on his phone. The surface was free of clutter and paperwork, evidence of our upcoming leave.
Torin’s half was stacked with folders and desk detritus. Like Jordyn, he was getting a temporary partner for the following six months while Aslan and I welcomed our baby into the family. We’d decided to split the allotted parental leave between us and take it simultaneously so we could both be at home during those crucial months of our child’s life.
Aslan glanced up from whatever ridiculous phone game he’d downloaded. His welcoming smile turned questioning as he eyed my company. “Well, hello. Who do we have here?”
“This is my new friend Sparrow, and she needs a place to eat a snack while Jordyn and I chat with her daddy.” I crouched and pointed at Aslan. “This is my friend. His name is Aslan, and he’s a police officer, too.”
Aslan produced his credentials and showed her. Sparrow held our cards side-by-side and studied them together.
“Aslan is also a great big goofball.” Sparrow snickered when Aslan made a goofball face. “See? I also know he keeps super-secret treats inhis desk that he doesn’t want me to know about, and I bet he might share them with a hungry bird.”
Sparrow’s eyes brightened as she glanced between us. “I’m a hungry bird.”
Aslan feigned shock. “No way. I don’t have secret snacks.” He moved his hand to cover the drawer where his stash lived. “They aren’t in here. Nope. No way. Never ever.”
“Go check.” I urged Sparrow forward, and she giggled as she easily peeled Aslan’s fingers off the drawer and peeked inside.
“Oreos! I love Oreos. They’re my favorite.”
Aslan exaggerated shock again, gasping and covering his mouth. “How did they get there?”
Removing the bag and hugging it to her chest, Sparrow asked, “Can I have one?”
“You sure can. In fact, you can have…” Aslan tapped his chin. “Hmm… five.”
“Az! That’s—”
“Three?” he conceded.
“Five!” Sparrow shouted with glee and jumped up and down.
I sighed, scowling at my husband. “Five is a lot of cookies. You don’t want a tummy ache.”
“I won’t have a tummy ache. I promise. I’m starving.”
“All right. You win. Do you want to hang out with Aslan and have some Oreos? You can eat these other snacks too. They’re healthier. Aslan can also take you to a vending machine for a drink if you get thirsty again. I’ll be down that hallway, chatting with your daddy, and we’ll come find you in a little bit. Is that okay?”
Sparrow seemed to consider, glancing between Aslan and me as though measuring her options. The Oreos won, and she clutched thebag tighter as though fearing someone might take them away. “I’ll stay here.”
“Psst,” Aslan said from behind his hand as though imparting a secret I couldn’t hear. “I have these too.” From another drawer, he produced a package of sour gummy bears he’d been snacking on. “Do you like gummies?”
Sparrow glowed with happiness and nodded. Any uncertainty about her decision vanished.
Aslan lifted her to sit on the edge of the desk and gave her the gummy bears while he helped open the cookies. While she was occupied, examining the colors or flavors on the inside of the package, he gave me a knowing look, asking without asking if everything was okay.
