More MiniThings

When Khaat and her parents arrived home, the house was quiet. Her little family was all in bed. It had taken longer than they thought to get the skating party cleaned up and for them to get home. It was well after midnight. Khaat's elbow and arm really hurt now, and she hurt everywhere. "Khaat," Her mother said seriously, "I want your father to take a very good look at you before you go to bed. It might be important." "Oh, okay," Khaat yawned, petting Max and Mo as they greeted them. She went over and petted Archangel who nuzzled her, seeming to know she didn't feel well. "Can you stay tonight?" khaat asked her parents. "Of course," her father said. "Come on, Sweetheart. Let's go to your room and be sure you're alright."

Khaat followed her father obediently and allowed him to check her thoroughly. He insisted she get ready for bed, and he tucked her in. "You haven't tucked me into bed since I was small," khaat smiled. "Here," He handed her a vial of potion, "For the pain, so you will sleep." Khaat didn't question.. She drank it. "I'm seeing a couple of things with your baby I don't like. I don't believe its danger, but I do think you have to rest tomorrow." "Daddy, with Rob not here, would it not be better if nature just took its course?" "No," he said firmly," I'm not listening to that twaddle. Go to sleep, Khaat. You ache, and you're tired. We'll talk in the morning. Sleep well, Baby." He kissed her and turned out the light and left the room.

Her parents were up again, with tea and coffee brewed, and her mother had put two different coffee cakes and a large sized egg casserole in the oven before anyone else even thought about waking. Her father was sitting at the kitchen table reading a Cornwall newspaper. He had been to Cornwall and had engaged the services of a wizard neighbor to care for the farm for a couple days if necessary. As he read, Katherine refilled his coffee cup.

Khaat rose, and feeling achy, she decided to shower to have the hot wather warm up her sore muscles. When she took off her nightgown, she found her elbow was severelly bruised. It was coal black. She was very glad Rob wasn't here to see it. She showered, shampooed her hair, brushed her teeth, dried and styled her hair, and dressed in soft, roomy jeans, and a colorblock flannel shirt, in bright colors--red, blue, orange, and green. It was soft and comfortable and one of her favorites for when she didn't feel her best. She dressed, and finding she could not put on socks and shoes without help because of her elbow, she settled for her tan suede scuff slippers and went downstairs.

"There's my girl," Robert smiled, refilling his coffee. He kissed her cheek, brushed her hair affectionately, pausing to rest his hand on her cheek. "I'll get you a little coffee this morning, Baby. Have a seat. Then we'll put a better sling on that arm to rest your elbow." He poured her a cup of coffee and poured two different potions in it, The one she recognized for pain, and actually didn't pay any attention to the second potion. Robert set the mug in front of her and picked up a better sling for her and put it on her left arm, and fit it properlyto her, in order to rest her arm. "That will help. We'll stretch your arm every so often so it doesn't get too stiff. Enjoy your coffee, dear. Your mother is almost ready to serve breakfast." "Thank you, Daddy," Khaat said softly. She looked at Emily and Edward. "Good morning," she said quietly. "I'm sorry I slept in a bit. My apologies."

"It seems like a lot of people are sleeping in today," Khaat yawned. "Oh, excuse me, I did sleep alright. I'm not sure why I'm still yawning." "That coffee should help," Robert laughed, "And yes, it is french roast." "Oh, bless you, Daddy," Khaat smiled, grateful. She took a sip of the coffee. The potion he'd added had a nutty taste, and that was always flavorful in coffee. "Thank you for not making it taste foul, Daddy" she said quietly. "I'd rather you drink it than swirl it around, Dear," He laughed. "Mom, when breakfast is done, go ahead and serve it. If the kids sleep in, that's their problem," Khaat said. "This is not a cafeteria. I have too many teens to try to feed them all at once." "Alright, Dear," Katherine said.

Khaat's mother served breakfast while Khaat outlined the simple rules to the house about honest, respect, helping equally with the chores--particularly because of Khaat's multiple jobs and her pregnancy, and keeping oneself out of trouble. She hadn't bothered with rules last night, but there were very few, and it only took her a moment to outline them. She put a wedge of egg casserole on her plate and a piece of coffee cake.