Page 7 of A Play for Love

“So? What happened with Henry?” I asked.

“I removed the bullets and put in a couple of plates and several screws for his shattered femur.”

“Hold on. Do we need to call our brothers over?” I asked.

“Nah. I already told them before I came over here. When I got out of surgery, Grace and Simon were already there waiting. They told me what happened with Aunt Barb. That’s pretty fucked up.”

“Yeah. I know.” I brought the bottle to my lips as I shook my head. “So, what’s going to happen now? Did Simon or Grace say?”

“No. They didn’t. I’m sure we’ll hear all about it tomorrow. Listen, bro, I have to get home to my wife.” He grinned. “God, I love saying that.” He walked over to the sliding door. “By the way, why the fuck haven’t you and Sofia set a wedding date yet?”

I chuckled. “You sound like Ella. We’re going to the Beverly Hills Hotel tomorrow after we meet with Ella’s principal.”

“Awesome.” He smiled. “So, do you have a date in mind?”

“We don’t know yet. We’re seeing what they have available.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He walked out.

I locked up the house, turned off the lights, and headed upstairs. Carefully opening Ella’s door, I saw she was sound asleep. Walking to Nicholas’s room, I stepped in and stared at him as he slept peacefully in his crib. When I entered our bedroom, Sofia was in the bathroom taking her makeup off. Walking up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed the side of her head.

“Hello, there, Dr. Kind.” She smiled through the mirror. “What was that for?”

“Just letting you know that I love you.”

“I love you too.” She turned around and sat up on the counter while wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist. “It’s been quite a day.”

“I know. I’m exhausted.” I kissed her. “What did Charleigh say about tomorrow?”

“She said not to worry about Nicholas and go sex it up for as long as we want to.” A grin crossed her beautiful lips.

“Then we’re taking advantage of that.” I leaned my forehead against hers.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m happy you took the day off tomorrow. We can spend the whole day together, kid-free, until we have to pick up Ella.”

“Then we better head to bed and get some sleep.” I winked with a smile as I lifted her from the counter and carried her to our bed.

* * *

“Thank you for coming. Please have a seat,” Ella’s principal spoke as she sat behind her desk.

“What is this about?” I asked.

“Ella is a very gifted child, Dr. Kind.”

“Yes. We know that already.”

“She’s one of the most gifted students I’ve ever come across in my life. Her mind can’t absorb all the information it wants and needs fast enough at the level of education we can provide her. I’ve spoken to the headmaster at Oak Crest Academy, and he would happily accept Ella into their high school program.”

“High school? She’s only seven.” My voice raised. “I just can’t throw my seven-year-old daughter into a new school with older kids. Teenage kids at that.”

“Then how about college, Dr. Kind? Because honestly, that’s where Ella belongs. The high school students at Oak Crest have brilliant minds and are well-behaved.”

“They’re teenagers, and just because they have brilliant minds doesn’t mean they’re exempt from all the teenage stuff normal teens do and go through.”

Sofia reached over and placed her hand on my arm.

“The fact is, Dr. Kind, that Ella will most likely graduate high school by the time she’s ten, if not sooner. She will attend college very young, whether you like it or not. I’m surprised she hasn’t mentioned college courses to you already.”

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