Tucked In

With two very young daughters in hand, she left her condo in Tianjin, China yesterday morning, and headed to the airport. They got on a flight to Seoul, Korea where they caught another flight to Los Angeles, where they caught still another flight to Chicago, finally arriving about seven this evening. Never mind the layovers, it was 16 ½ hours in the air. To say she was exhausted, didn't even begin to cover it.

At long last they pulled into his driveway. It was not the same home she had been to when she brought John and Kem meals after they lost the baby. This one was smaller and in a little more modest neighborhood. Still, it was much larger than her condo and it was quite charming.

The girls ran all over the place, gleefully checking out the main level living areas. "It was a very long flight. They've been cooped up. They need to run around and burn off that pent up energy. I just don't know where they can burn it off this time of night or where I'll get the energy to let them burn off theirs". She was so tired, every bone, every muscle was screaming to stretch out and then snuggle into a big, comfy bed.

Carter smiled empathetically. He understood long flights. He couldn't imagine what it had been like to keep two little ones under control in that situation, but she had lived through it. "Why don't we get all of you settled and then you can get some rest and the girls and I will do something fun."

Jing Mei weighed the probability of that proposal working. She had worked with the girls, teaching them English so they could communicate freely with their father, but they were still a long way from being functional with the new language. On the plus side, John was accustomed to dealing with people who didn't speak his native tongue and did quite well most of the time. Additionally, she reasoned, he's already formed a bond with them just by interacting thru Skype. If he could accomplish that much from the other side of the earth, surely he'd be just fine in the same house with them. Besides if they got into real trouble, he could always wake her up. "Okay" she agreed.

He smiled. "Let me show you upstairs!" He picked up their bags and headed up. The girls took the nonverbal signal and followed right behind him. Jing Mei smiled watching her little girls follow him like baby ducks behind their mother. "Right this way" he said excitedly as he opened the door to the room the girls would share.

Upon taking in the room fit for two precious little princesses, the girls jumped up and down and squealed excitedly. Quite literally, the room was decked out for princesses. It was done in deep jewel tones. The twin beds were elevated and had steps that led up to them so the girls could easily climb into bed. The corner was set off by sheer fabric panels that enclosed a pile of colorful pillows atop an Arabian looking rug. Along one wall was a set of shelves that housed books, dolls and games. On the other wall were cutouts of Jasmine and Aladdin and the big blue genie.

"You did all this" Jing Mei asked in astonishment.

He nodded his head back and forth in that cute little evasive way of his. "Actually, I hired a designer to make this room special for two little princesses who are very special to me, and she took it from there." Watching her face, he knew he had a bit more explaining to do. "I wanted to make space for the girls, you know. So they would know that I want to be a part of their lives, that they're always welcome here." He grabbed her hands and looked directly into her eyes. "Look, I know you don't want to think about another trip back here after just making such a long flight, but I hope you do. You and the girls have an open invitation to come and stay here any time."

She nodded her head. She understood. He's lonely, she told herself. He wants company, needs it. He's going through a lot and he really shouldn't have to go through it alone. "Not out of the realm of possibilities. We'll see." She smiled at him sweetly.

Encouraged, he helped the girls with their bags, putting clothes in dresser drawers, hanging the dresses in the closet. In the process, they had a language exchange. The girls identifying clothes by their Chinese names as John would repeat and then he'd say what they were called in English and the girls would repeat. They were laughing and having a great time. In her heart, Jing Mei rejoiced. This is what her girls needed. They were reveling in his sole attention to them.

Not realizing how much time had passed while she stood at the door pondering the scene, she was startled to hear "let's get mommy settled so she can get some sleep!" He smiled as he squeezed past her in the doorframe.

The next room was also professionally designed, this time, to appeal to a woman, and not just any woman, but to her specifically. He remembered her favorite color was red, she preferred dark wood, she liked simple but elegant furniture and preferred uncomplicated arrangements rather than lots of things cluttered about. No knick knacky stuff. Everything had to make sense, have a purpose. "It's beautiful, it's perfect" the whisper of her voice reflecting her acknowledgement that he considered her special as well, and that was fine with her.

"You want some help unpacking?" he asked in a tone that matched hers.

She shook her head. "It'll wait till morning". She knelt down and told her daughters she was tired and going to bed, but Daddy would watch them and if they needed to, they could come wake her up. She hugged and kissed them goodnight. "Wǎn ān" she told them. "Wǎn ān" they wished her back. Carter reached out his hand to help her up. He held on as he tenderly said goodnight and kissed her on the forehead.

Turning, he took the girls by the hand and led them down the hall to the stairs saying "Have you ever had pop corn?" She smiled. Her girls were in for a treat. It was all going to be fine. She softly closed the door. Opening her suitcase, she found her sleepshirt, changed into it, pulled the covers back and snuggled into bed. She closed her eyes and she was out.