The water cooled down her throat. The sun was out and shining and if it wasn't for the sticky, humid air, Lara would have loved playing outside. She heard the children behind her and quickly finished off her water before turning around.
"Let's play one more game before your dad comes to pick you up."
"Okay," Lara giggled before she ran towards the playroom. Once entering the room, she saw Penny on a phone call, looking out the window.
"Ah girls. Would you like some lunch?"
"Yes please."
"Oh...Papa said he will pick me up at six and-"
"I'm talking to him now and he said he will wait for you to eat lunch before you go. It will only take ten minutes anyways. You girls go and play one more game and then I will call you when the food is ready."
Lara wrinkled her nose as Penny carried on talking to Neil. After a few seconds, Penny looked down at her, handing the phone to her.
"Hello Papa!" Neil chuckled as he walked towards JJ.
"Hello Tesero. You having fun?" JJ looked up from the customer she was serving and frowned.
"Yeah I'm having fun. We're having a dance contest and I'm winning. But I miss dancing with you and mama. And we had porridge for breakfast today. Wasn't allowed to put honey in it because it's not healthy." Even though Lara wasn't in front of him, he knew she rolled her eyes.
"Well I promise you that the next time we have porridge I will let you put honey, chocolate and peanut butter in it. Sound good?"
"Very good." She took a seat on the sofa, pushing her hair back. "How are you and mama?"
"We missed you very much. But your mama isn't happy with you because you left your room in a mess."
"Sorry?" JJ closed the till and then quickly turned to Neil.
"Put it on loud speaker so I can hear her!" Neil flicked her nose but did what she said. "Hey monkey! I missed you last night! How are you? Are you having fun? Did you play? And have you been putting sun-"
"Papa, can you make she breathes please. But I missed you too, mama. Will you still come with papa to pick me up? I want to give you both a big hug."
"Oh I definitely will be there."
"Okay well I have to go now. I need to win this dance contest but I still want to dance with you guys when we get home. Can we please?"
"Of course," they said at the same time. Neil looked up at JJ who was smiling down at the phone.
"I love you both very much."
"We love you too, tesero," Neil said. They all said goodbye before he hung up the phone. JJ frowned. "Why are you upset? She's coming home isn't she?"
"I know. I just miss her. I know she stays over at Le's or your mum's all the time but that's different."
He put his hand under her chin and smiled. "I love you." Leaning forward, he pecked her lips. "We'll see her in a half hour. But we gotta leave in about five minutes though."
* * *
"Is that it?" Lara said as she looked at the salad in her bowl. "Not even a fish or chicken?"
"No. You've had a lot of snacks today. And you had extra cheese in your sandwich yesterday."
"My snacks today were fruit, Penny. Fruit."
YOU ARE READING
The Deal
Random"Promise me," he whispered before he looked at her. His eyes were searching her light brown eyes and was once again lost in the beauty. "Let's make a deal. That we stay together. That we stay a family." She raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm not crazy...
