Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
First, he wanted to see her interact with Ollie. He wanted to know she was willing and see whether Ollie would be outgoing or shy with her. Ollie was a quiet, watchful and studious child. He liked to assess before deciding how to proceed with life. Just because he liked the idea of Tanya in theory, on screens, this didn’t necessarily mean the two would have any sort of connection. It didn’t mean Ollie wouldn’t feel the same about her as he did when he met Treya. This could take time. It could be a slow progression. And Zane preferred to make calculated decisions, particularly when those decisions were such big ones, such as this one. He’d made a critical error with his first marriage and wasn’t planning to make another if he could help it.
It might not work. Just because Ollie liked the idea of her didn’t mean she’d connect with either or both of them and complete their family. Zane felt it was important that connection was present for both of them.
Before he could call the elevator, which was not waiting as he’d have expected, the doors opened and there stood his father and son. They were supposed to be next door, getting ready to go to Zane’s uncle’s home, a two-hour trip away.
“You’re here!” His son exclaimed as he leapt in the air in glee and threw himself at Tanya, who caught him. It was likely no easy feat, since Ollie wasn’t much smaller than her.
Tanya wobbled on her tall shoes and her jaw dropped. They both reared back to regard one another. Ollie grasped both of her cheeks in his hands.
“I chose twenty books to show you. When I come back, can I show you? I also want you to tell me your stories and let me draw the illustrations for them. If they’re not very good, it’s okay and you don’t have to use them, but I would like to try. Okay? If they’re good enough, we can make books.” Ollie looked up at her with light shining from his face, speaking to her as if he’d known her his entire life.
Tanya went from looking startled to smiling a bright smile at him. “I would love that. Twenty books? Whoa.”
“I have more than three hundred favorites, but the twenty are my favorites of my favorites. I was thinking…” Ollie said, looking indeed thoughtful, “and thought that maybe you can write storybooks about your planet and our planet and all the new kids born here but who are half Phallyxian and half Earth…people can learn about the world their mommies come from. Daddo says they can’t likely go visit, but I’m sure they’d wanna learn. I’ve been thinking a lot about it. I bet there would be many stories you could write to teach them… things.”
Tanya jerked in surprise. Ollie kept on talking. She hadn’t put him down yet. He also hadn’t let go of her face. Zane’s chest felt tight with something beautiful.
“Daddo wants me to go to Granddad’s so you two can get to know one another, he says, before he must share you with me, but I don’t know what that means. I just can’t wait to come back and I didn’t even leave yet! Granddad and I have so much fun. I’m called Ollie like he is. And I always like to go to his house which is beside our house, but I have to stay over tonight at Uncle Brynn’s house with Granddad and tomorrow, too, but I wish I could stay here with you because that’s so far. Daddo says you’re going to sleep in the room we got ready for you. It used to be Jaya’s and I think you’ll like it very much. Can I stay there with you? I won’t hog the bed very much. It’s big. Or you could sleep in my treehouse with me instead.”
“Ollie,” Zane broke in disapprovingly. “No manipulating Tanya so soon with your sweetness. Let her get settled in first so she can predict your game and play right back.”
Zane opened his arms. Tanya set Ollie on his feet so Ollie could throw himself into his father’s arms with a giggle.
“I’m only teasing, Daddo. I want everything to go well so she can be my new mommy. Have fun. I made you both some pictures. They’re on Tanya’s bed and your bed. Granddad suggested I should pick flowers for you, too, Tanya, but I carefully put the moon flowers in a pot so they wouldn’t only bloom one time. They’re from shoots of my first mommy’s plant that was her favorite. I wish I could see what color it will be if gems come out. But you can tell me when I come back. If they do come out. Okay? Touch them and see.”