The Glistening Key (A Key Keepers novel) [Completed]

Special Episode

***Katherine***

Kat yawned as she sat up and opened her eyes. Scrawny, little arms were wrapped around her.

Kat smiled as she stroked her daughter's blonde locks. It was a nice surprise whenever Lumi crawled into bed with her. There was nothing like the loving embrace of one's own child.

Her blue eyes glistened like a river frozen over. "Mama!"

Kat pulled Lumi into her lap. "How's Mommy's little girl doing? Did you get cold last night?"

The little one shook her head. "Lonely..."

"You could have woken me up."

"Your tummy was soft." Lumi smiled. "It made me feel better."

Kat patted her head. "That makes me happy." She held her daughter as she got out of bed. "Are you ready for breakfast?"

"Lentil soup!"

Kat giggled. "That's right. We are having lentil soup today."

Kat put Lumi down so she could light the fire.

Lumi drooled as she stared at the fire.

She was happy now. She was going to be beaming at dinner.

Kat gently squeezed her daughter's shoulders. "Mimi, please be careful."

That made Lumi cling to her leg. Not that she minded. She loved hugs.

Knock-knock!

Kat ran to answer the door and smiled.

She held out the breadbasket.

"Thanks for the help, Lauren."

Lumi jumped off Kat's leg and grabbed a loaf of bread, running to the table before popping it into her little mouth.

Lauren peered at Lumi. "Did you need a hand?"

"I'm fine." Kat giggled. "Mimi just woke up."

"If you're sure..."

"I am." Kat patted Lumi's head. "I need to check on Mimi's soup."

Lumi grinned as she jumped back onto Kat's leg.

"Maybe our rugrats can play after she eats."

Kat smiled. "Sure. Mimi could use a playmate."

Lumi hugged Kat after she finished her soup.

"Was it good, Mimi?" Kat asked.

She nodded.

"Let's go outside and play."

"Okay."

***

Lumi clung to Kat's skirt when she saw Lauren and her son.

Kat patted her head. "Go on. Greet them."

"H-hello."

The little boy's head dropped as he laughed. "She's a wallflower!"

Lauren put her hands on her hips. "Alden!"

"What?"

"I-I'm a flower?" Lumi asked.

Alden blushed. "Yeah! A shy one!"

Lauren shook her head.

Alden grabbed her hand. "Let's go play over there, Lumi!"

Lumi nodded.

Kat laughed. "That boy sure acts older than he is."

"Yeah..." Lauren said. "You would think Lumi was the younger kid."

"Well, my Mimi is small." Kat sighed. "That said, I wonder if this is a good idea... You are going to move soon."

Lauren patted her shoulder. "True, but it's these tiny moments that count."

"Would you mind keeping an eye on the kids?" Kat asked. "I need to get cooking."

"Of course not. Go ahead."

Once the food was finished cooking, Kat wiped the sweat from her brow. "Now to go get Lulu."

The kids were playing by some nearby trees.

A man with broad shoulders picked up Alden and put him on his shoulders. "What's my little boy doing?"

"Daddy!"

"Did you have fun?"

"Lots of it!"

Kat scooped up her daughter. "What about you?"

Lumi smiled.

That was when a red-haired man approached. He ruffled her hair. "You have a cute kid." His eyes clouded. "Although, she isn't as adorable as my Addie..."

"Thanks, I think," Kat said.

"Oh, yeah? Is she a flower like Mimi?" Alden asked.

The red-haired man furrowed his eyebrows. "A flower?"

Lauren sighed. "Ignore him. He speaks gibberish at times."

Kat giggled. "Aww, think he's trying to defend Lumi."

He smiled. "And you remind me of my son."

Alden put his hands on his hips. "But I'm cooler, right?"

Lauren took her son from her husband. "For me, you are more cute than cool!"

His little cheeks reddened. "Mommy!"

"How old is that kid...?" the man asked.

"Three, if you can believe it," Lauren replied.

"I'm a big kid now!"

The man snorted before his eyes clouded over again. "Take care of her."

"I will."

He then left.

***

"I'm home!" Art shouted.

Lumi jumped into his arms.

"Did you miss me?"

Lumi nodded.

Kat kissed her husband. "Are you ready to eat?"

"I could eat a horse!"

Lumi squeaked.

Art ruffled her hair. "I didn't really mean that."

"Why don't we get started?" Kat asked.

Alden and Lumi fell asleep after they finished eating, so their dads picked them up.

"See you later," Lauren whispered.

"Bye," Kat whispered back.

They then went their separate ways.

Kat held her husband's hand. "Let's make Mimi a surprise."

"Oh?" Art smiled. "I wouldn't mind doing that."

***

Took longer to prepare than I would have liked, but Happy Mother's Day, Minna.

~Shino out!