Moving Forward (Completed)

Chapter Fifty Four

"You two ready?" Katherine had everything she needed for the day packed in a large bag that slung across her body. It was the one she typically used when she wanted to drag her camera with her around town.

MJ and Isabel nodded as they checked their own bags which basically consisted of a bottle of water, snack, chapstick, some spending money, and a book. Katherine almost chuckled out loud when they both sat a novel on the counter as they arranged the cinch bags she'd given them. Both bags were identical, something her school district gave out to all its teachers during the mandatory districtwide training each summer... she had four of them. The girls didn't seem to mind the NYC Department of Education logo plastered across the bag and happily slipped them over their shoulders as they followed Katherine out of the apartment.

Anytime Katherine did something she deemed touristy she took the subway. There was something about using the cities public transport that added to the adventure... or the novelty just hadn't worn off yet... she wasn't really sure. MJ and Isabel hadn't minded, both pulling their books into their lap out of habit as they chatted about which exhibits they wanted to see first. Katherine smiled from the seat adjacent from them, settling herself in for a day of watching the two girls giggle.

Rafael left work early when Katherine texted they were heading back from the zoo. He'd beaten them home, changed out of his work clothes, and was sitting on the couch reading a book when the three giggled their way into the apartment.

"How does pizza sound?" Katherine asked before the two girls could disappear to MJ's room.

"Great. Thanks Ms. Morgan."

"Yeah, thanks Kate." MJ smiled.

"Anything in particular you want on it?"

MJ looked to Isabel since Katherine knew what kind of pizza she liked.

"I'm not picky as long as you don't put anything weird like anchovies on it; veggie, meat infested... plain cheese... I'll eat whatever." Isabel shrugged.

"I'll order the usual then." Katherine pulled her phone from her bag as she sat it in the kitchen and joined Rafael on the couch.

"Meat infested?" His eyebrow ticked up playfully.

"I'm assuming that's what we order for you."

Rafael chuckled, his eyes drifting back to his book while she made the call, only marking his spot when she sat the phone on the coffee table. "How was the zoo?"

"Conflicting..."

Rafael knitted his brows, side eyeing her while barely turning his head. "Conflicting?"

"I enjoy seeing the animals but have a hard time with the fact that they're in cages." She'd done research on the zoo, hoping to find that it was mostly used for rehabilitation or homed animals that couldn't be returned to the wild. She'd heard fantastic things about the zoo's work with endangered species and conservation efforts, but her researched had also brought up articles on poor treatment of elephants... or an elephant... she had only skimmed those articles. "I did a little research but..." she shrugged, "it's a rabbit hole of 'Do you really want to know?' once you've committed to going."

"Hoping they do more good than harm?" He smirked.

"Pretty much."

"Did you see your Red Pandas?"

Katherine grinned and nodded. "They were just as adorable in person as they were on YouTube."

Rafael chuckled and slipped his arm over her shoulder. "Looks like MJ and Isabel are getting along."