103 : Lunch With Him

VERENA

“See what you did?” Dory glares at Drake, who scratches the back of his neck.

“Eh…it's a game where, um…you throw a ping-pong ball in plastic cups that have…” Drake looks at Dory hesitantly before answering, “Apple juice.”

Ezra looks at them with amusement. “Wow. That sounds awesome. I want to play beer pong too!” He chirps and shifts his gaze towards me. “Mommy, can we play beer pong?”

“Why don’t you show them your bicycle first? And your Buzz Lightyear?” I ask with a smile.

“Yeah!” He turns to them, “Do you want to see my action figures?!” he asks in excitement.

“Sure.” Dory nods, and he grabs her hand, pulling her towards his room.

“Don’t rush,” I say.

“Okay, Mommy.” His shout comes, and I smile as I hand Maria the plate. I hear footsteps and look up to find Elijah walking in, unbuttoning his coat. His gaze falls on me and my heart skips a beat.

I told him to use one of our guest bathrooms to freshen up, and I can now smell the scent of shampoo on his hair that’s combed back