The Moosehead Tavern [2]

Jace closes his eyes as Rayah asks and somehow manages to get some sleep just as Kalen wakes. The little boy waddles over to Rayah and tugs gently on the bottom of her dress, smiling.

I wake up and look down at Kalen. "Hey." I smiled, "What are you doing up?" I whispered.

Kalen just smiles wider, opening and closing his fists in a way of showing his wanting to be picked up.

I pick him up and put him on my lap just as Jace wakes up.

Jace yawns, his eyes opening, and frowns at his inability to catch some rest. He glances at Rayah, who's holding Kalen.
Kalen takes a fistful of the material of Rayah's dress and smiles, rubbing it between his fingers.

"You like my dress?" I whispered smiling. "Aww...Your so cute, I want a kid now," I smiled and held him closer.

Kalen smiles wider, revealing his perfect row of tiny teeth, and lets her hug him before climbing atop the table and sitting with his legs bent on either side. He touches his lips with two fingers, thinking that she might understand the language his father taught him.

I smiled back at Kalen, "Are you hungry? Thirsty?" I asked crossing my arms. "Jace, come here for a sec," Jace yawns and walks over. "Isn't he adorable?!" I said putting my hand over my mouth.

Jace smiles at Rayah and watches as Kalen sets his fingers on his lips again. It strikes Jace as familiar, almost understandable.
"He taught you Availian sign, huh?" He whispers, sitting before him.
Kalen smiles and makes the signal again.
"Thirsty, right?" He asks Rayah's question again.
Kalen nods and makes rasberries with his lips.

Spoiler

Rasberries are like how a horse makes a sighing sound and their lips kind of flap. That explanation sounds really weird, lol. But yeah.

I smiled, "I got it."

I went over to the bar and ordered some apple juice. I sat back down next to Jace. "Kalen, You like apple juice? Sorry...I'm not very good at what...Kids like to drink." I smiled and handed it to him slowly.

Kalen takes the glass with both tiny hands and brings it to his lips, taking a small gulp. Then it falls, Jace barely catching it before it hits the table.
"That was a close one." He flashes a smile, setting the glass in front of Kalen, who is smiling as wide as before.

I smiled, "Your gonna make a good father Jace." I smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

Kalen grabs the glass again. When he finishes, he reaches out to me and I grab him, Bouncing him up and down on my lap as he giggles.

Spoiler

He's mute so his giggle kind of comes out like an excited series of breaths, lol. So cute.

Joseph stirs and opens one eyes, watching the two keep his son occupied. A light smile spreads across his face when he hears Kalen giggle. He yawns, opening the other eye, and silently slips over to that table, just watching.

"Hey Joey." I smiled, "You want Kalen back?" I asked not wanting to let go of him.

"No, it's fine." Joseph smiles at his little boy. "I've got him all day, every day for the next fifteen years. A few minutes apart isn't going to make much of a difference. Besides, I think he considers you his new best friend."