Root Beer Float (Kaito x Meiko)

Nine

Conveniently, Luka was very open to the idea of Kaito babysitting, so we decided to try it out that weekend. Luka and I went out to the square and did some window shopping. We didn't buy anything, since I had been spending way too much on outings anyway, but it was still a blast. It reminded me of when we were a couple of broke teenagers back in high school.

It was late by the time we stopped giggling enough to drive home. Luka had to go to the bathroom, and my shoes were killing me, so we were both very ready to go inside. However, we were stopping in our tracks by Kaito and Len, who had been waiting for us.

"Mommy, look!" Len ran over and threw his hand in her face. "We all painted our nails! Me and Rinrin are matching, isn't it pretty?"

Luka took his hand so she could see. "Oh, yes, it looks great, baby, but it's late. You need to get to sleep, okay?"

"Sorry about that. He insisted on waiting down here until you got home." Kaito grinned sheepishly.

Len turned to me. "Uncle Kai is really really good at building forts too!" Then he kissed both me and his mother on the cheek and headed off to bed.

Luka chuckled. "Well, it sounds like you did an excellent job. Thank you so much for coming. If you'll excuse me, I've got to use the restroom. Meiko dear, handle the payment, would you?"

"So... Uncle Kai, huh?" I said as Luka walked away.

"Yep," he grinned. "I hope you don't mind them calling me that."

I shrugged. "At least they like you... now, what's your normal rate?"

"I said I would do it for free, didn't I?"

"Nonsense," I shook my head. "I'm going to go take my shoes off, but you stay here. I don't have any money on me, but I'll ask Luka to write you a check."

I poked my head inside Luka's door and she shrieked a bit. "Hey, I'm changing in here!"

"Sorry!" I averted my eyes. "I just need you to write a check for Kaito when you're done!"

Right after that, I closed her door and left, because the last thing I needed was for her to be angry with me right now. And then after getting ready for bed, I fell asleep pretty quickly. Turns out I was pretty tired...

...And the next morning I woke up to someone sobbing. Usually, that was nothing out of the ordinary. I mean, I lived with three children and a woman who sure acted like a child. But this person had a deep voice. It sounded like a man.

I opened my bleary eyes and looked around the room to see what was happening, and sure enough, there was Luka, guiding Kaito to sit on my floor.

I sat up. "What are you doing?"

"I don't really know," Luka looked over at me. "I guess Kaito didn't leave last night, because I found him like this in the living room. I brought him in here because it's a bit more... private, and I thought maybe you'd want to help try and calm him down too."

"Me? Why me?"

"Well, I don't know! I thought you were friends. Just get over here." She said quietly, trying to get me out of bed.

Kaito had been staring right at the floor, as if he didn't even notice we were there. "Hold his hand something," Luka instructed, so I did. It stayed limp at first, but then he grabbed down so tightly I wasn't sure if it would cut off my circulation.

Meanwhile, Luka got a box of tissues. "Kaito? Kaito, honey? Can you hear me?"

I guess he recognized her enough to look up and then cling to her. Luka hugged him back, still muttering softly. I swear she had magic that could work on anyone.