Page 92 of The Plan

“Everything she needs is in here.” He keeps his voice low and places a pink bag on the coffee table. “Don’t let her have sugary cereal, at least not for breakfast, and please don’t forget she’s allergic to—”

“All berries. I know. I didn’t meet her yesterday, Jackson. Stop telling me what to do.” I’ve known her since before she could walk, and I was there when she had her first allergic reaction to strawberries. It was scary as fuck and pretty hard to forget.

“You have a serious issue with authority, and she’s mykid,so let me finish.” I roll my eyes and let him go on. “Her EpiPen is in there in case she eats something with berries. She’s usually good with asking for ingredients in new food, but please carry it everywhere you go.”

I give him a nod as he continues. “She can stay up a bit later since it’s the weekend, but don’t let her mess up her sleeping schedule. She needs to nap, or she’ll be fussy. Oh, and she has ballet at—”

“At nine am tomorrow,” I continue, mocking his voice. “Make sure her hair is in a bun but on the top of her head. She doesn’t like low buns since she can’t see them in the mirror while she dances. She drinks milk before bed, and she likes it cold. Anything else I already know?”

He gives me a smile because he knows, besides him, I know her best. “Thank you, man.” He bends down to kiss her forehead and whispers that he loves her. “Okay, I need to go.”

“Where exactly are you going?” I wouldn’t normally ask, but I let my curiosity get the better of me because he never lets Isa have sleepovers.

“Out of state for some family stuff.”

I only nod in understanding and he walks for the door but then turns to me. “Please put your ego aside and call me if anything happens to her.”

I tell him I will.

“No, seriously, Sire. I don’t care what it is or what time. I won’t be pissed, just call me.”

“Jackson. I will, but nothing is going to happen to her. I got her.”

He looks over at the couch, then takes a deep breath while nodding. He goes to walk out but walks back over to her to give her another kiss and it's clear he's never been away from his kid for a night. After he makes me promise to actually pick up the phone when he calls so they can talk, he walks out.

As soon as the door closes and I turn around, I see Isa’s head shoot up from the couch. “Good morning, Uncle Sigh!”

I chuckle as I make my way over to her. “Just because you just woke up doesn’t make it morning, you little faker.” It’s almost six o’clock. She giggles as I lift her from the couch, but at the reminder of the time, I make my way over to Vid. She needed to be up at six for an appointment.

She starts to wake up before I can reach her and rubs her eyes, adjusting to the light as she sits up. “Good morning, Viola!” Isa leans forward, wanting to be put down, so I let her go.

“Her name isVidia.” I correct her with a soft chuckle.

“Good morning, Isabelle.” Vid looks a bit confused but still embraces Isa when she goes to hug her. She checks the time on her watch and then looks up at me.

“Jackson needed to do something. She’s going to stay with us for the weekend.”

“The whole week? Yay!” Isa runs off, and I don’t bother crushing it to her that she’s only staying for the weekend, not the whole week.

I look back over at Vid as she stands from the couch and stretches. Her cropped shirt rises, causing her bra to show a bit. I clear my throat and bring my eyes back to her face, but she’s already looking at me.

“Uh, I hope you don’t mind that she’s staying with us. I—”

“I don’t mind. This is your house, Sire.” I just nod, and she shifts her weight between both feet like she wants to go on. “I think I found an apartment. That’s actually what my appointment is for.”

I feel my brows furrow. I know she’s been talking to Hazel about looking at apartments, but I didn’t think she’d find a place this soon. I thought she’d at least bring it up to me before making the appointment. Not that she needs to… but still.

“Reschedule your appointment. We have to go do something.”

She gives me a confused look. “Go do what?”

“Something.” I walk off and call for Isa. She walks into the living room with an innocent smile on her face. “What did you do?” I tease.

She giggles and climbs onto the couch. I squint my eyes at her, and she covers her smile with her tiny hands.

“Are we actually going to do something, or do you just want me to cancel my appointment to go view the apartment?”

“Both.” I cross my arms, and Vid does the same. “Why are you in such a rush to leave?”

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