Page 63 of Zero
It was hard to get back into my regular life. After a week of being home, Crash and Barbie insisted I came over and spend time with Eden and Anya. They were growing into such beautiful girls. But it seemed no matter how old they get, whenever they saw me, the did the same thing—squealed my name then run into my arms. That kind of greeting always made me light enough to float away.
“Mom and daddy said you went away.” Anya told me as I rose with both girls in my arms. “What you brought me?”
“Girls!” Barbie called. “Let uncle Zero get in the house before you shake him down for goodies.”
I smirked.
“Rei Hakama, you are no help.” Barbie teased. “You enjoy this entirely too much. Come inside.”
I carried them in and set them on the sofa. Once I removed my backpack, I opened it to show them the dolls I’d purchased in the airport. They thanked me, kissed my cheeks and sat on the floor to play with them. I turned my attention to the kitchen where Crash and Barbie were busy making our dinner.
“How’s re-entry?” Crash asked.
“I’ve been better.” I replied, climbing onto a stool and thanking Barbie for the beer she set in front of me. “It’s a little rougher on me than I’d care to admit. Doesn’t help that it feels like someone ripped my heart out of my chest.”
“So, you were lying when you told Beast you were okay.” Barbie frowned.
“It wasn’t a lie.” I paused to gather my thoughts and to take a drink from my beer. “I’m okay—it’s just—I’m a long way from fine, if that makes any sense.”
“A little.” Crash nodded. “But you haven’t really talked about what happened between you and Bailey.”
I wrapped the fingers of both hands around the bottle and exhaled. “I have no clue. Wait, yes, I do. I felt a little more for her than she felt for me. I realized too late that kind of a weird balance couldn’t make a relationship. Then add my job, her business, two different countries across a massive ocean and, it wasn’t meant to be.”
“Have you spoken to Haha about her?”
“What’s the point?” I asked. “I never talk to my mother about a woman unless I can take her home to Haha. Listen, I’ll be fine soon enough. It’ll just take me a little time to get it together personally.”
“Uncle Zero?” Eden wandered in with her doll.
I eased my beer out of the way, scooped her up and placed her to sit on the island facing me. “Yes, my love.”
“Are you staying over?” She wanted to know, her little eyes twinkling at me.
“Would you like me to?” I asked her.
Eden nodded. “Anya wants you to, too. If you stay, we can make you breakfast.”
“That’s the best offer ever.” I kissed her forehead then looked up at Barbie and Crash.
The two of them mouthed, “say yes.”
I laughed. “Yeah, okay.”
She hugged me tightly then scooted toward the edge of the island until I placed her on her feet. She darted from the room yelling for her sister.
“He said yes!” Eden announced happily.
I spent the night but didn’t get much sleep. The next morning, I stayed in the room a little longer to give Anya and Eden time to work with Barbie to make me breakfast. By the time I showered, dressed and wandered from the room, the house smelled like bacon.
“Uncle Zero!” Anya cheered. “Sit down.”
“Guten Morgen.” I laughed but did as she said.
Barbie set coffee in front of me. “Morning. Crash is showering and will go in with you. I’m taking the girls to get some new clothes.”
“Again?” I thanked her and sipped.
“They grow like weeds.” She told me. “Wait till you have your own.”
