At seven years old, Kati was placed in a daily two-hour-long class with other children who were achieving higher than average marks. At the end of the school year, Kati was given an IQ test.
Three days later, Ms Briard called Charlotte and Cooper and set up a meeting.
Since the debacle with Raina Smith years ago, Charlotte has managed to let go of her anger towards the woman and is able to get along with her. They arrive at the school a little while before Kati is scheduled to be let out for summer vacation.
"Doctors, please, have a seat," Michelle Briard smiles, gesturing to the seats in front of her desk.
"Thanks," they say, sitting down.
"So," Michelle smiles at them, opening a file and taking out several documents. "As you know, Kati took an IQ test several days ago. I called you both in here today to discuss her results."
"Is someone wrong?" Cooper frowns.
"Oh, no," Michelle laughs. "The opposite, actually."
She places Kati's scores in front of them.
"Holy sh-" Cooper says, as he and Charlotte read. "152?"
"She's an exceptionally bright student," Michelle smiles, pleased by their response.
"Well, yes," Charlotte says, reading. "We all knew that. She's been readin' since she was four, and plays the piano like it's nothin' to her."
"This is incredible," Cooper laughs, looking over at Charlotte and then back at the scores.
"It is," Michelle nods. "Kati's potential is limitless. We want to do everything we can to help her reach it, and to set forth the kinds of challenges that keep her interested. As you recall, last year Mr Reynolds was concerned about Kati's ability to pay attention in class. And once we realized that she was just bored, we got her in to the academic challenge program. But I think we need to consider all possible routes, here."
"Like what?" Cooper asks. "Whatever it takes to help her succeed, we'll do it."
"Well, I know we talked about this last year, as well," Michelle goes on. "About bumping Kati up a grade. And you were worried about her age and her ability to relate to older students. But in reality, bumping her up a year wouldn't be that big of a change for her. Especially at this age. Kati's a wonderful girl and she has lots of friends. Fitting into a new peer group would be a change, but one that I'm sure she could settle into."
"You want to push her ahead a year," Charlotte says.
"Yes," Michelle nods. "And yes, it will put her a year behind in age. She'll be 17 when she graduates, but that also means she'll get an early start to college."
"Skip the third grade," Cooper mumbles, again looking down at Kati's test scores with pride.
"Is that common?" Charlotte asks. "I mean, Kati's made so many friends in her grade. Will she have other kids around who are a little younger, too?"
"Actually, there are two other children who are being bumped up," Michelle replies.
"Two?" Cooper raises his brow.
Michelle smiles and nods.
"Let me just explain what I was thinking. We have a class that is actually a grade 3/4 split. Students who are technically in grades two and three, but are able to be in a higher grade. So they're skipping a grade, but not thrown into a totally strange environment. She'd be with other kids who are excelling. It's like AP classes in high school. It's just an elementary-school version."
Cooper and Charlotte exchanges looks. They have a silent conversation.
"Why don't you talk to Kati about it. I'm here for the next week, and then the school will be closed for the summer. We can get everything ready before then."
They move to stand up, reaching out to shake Michelle's hand.
"Thank you," they smile, and head out into the hallway as the bell rings, signalling the end of the last day of school.
Cooper squeezes Charlotte's hand and they look at each other and then start laughing, so thrilled. Charlotte leans up to kiss him.
"Our baby's a genius," she grins, excited.
"Well, we already knew that," Cooper smiles. "But wow. A hundred and fifty-two. I mean…I don't even think mine is that high."
"We have to do it," Charlotte says, as they turn towards Kati's classroom. "I mean I know we were worried before about her bein' so young, but the idea of her bein' able to start college at 17?"
"I know," Cooper nods, "There are pros and cons, but…I think you're right. I think we should just let her sail over the third grade and go right into fourth."
They grin again, eager to get to Kati and hug her.
They find her leaving her classroom with Axel. The two of them have been inseparable since kindergarten. In the last two years, Kati's lost the bit of baby fat she had, making her large blue-green eyes look even bigger. She's happy, always smiling, she has lots of friends, and she's everything Charlotte and Cooper could ever want.
"Hey, baby," Charlotte smiles, waving as Kati sees them.
She hurries over and jumps into her father's arms.
"You're free!" he squeezes her. "Summer vacation has arrived!"
Kati giggles as he tickles her.
"You excited?" Charlotte asks, running a hand over her hair as Cooper sets her down.
"Yeah," Kati nods. "I can't wait to go see Grandma and Big Daddy. And Axel's birthday is right before we leave!"
"I know," Charlotte smiles, as the three of them head towards the exit. "Pretty exciting summer, huh?"
"Honey, we wanted to talk to you about something," Cooper says, as they get home and Kati hurries inside, heading for the fridge.
"About what?" she asks, pulling out a juice box and spearing the straw in.
"About," Cooper starts, lifting her so she's sitting on the island in front of them. "School."
"School's over," Kati replies.
"Yes," Cooper nods. "I mean school in September."
"Remember that test you took on Monday?" Charlotte asks.
"Yeah," Kati says. "The IQ test."
"Right," Charlotte nods. "Well, your scores were just…incredible."
"Did I get an A+?" she asks.
They both grin.
"Kind of," Cooper replies. "Hold on."
He hurries over to the downstairs spare room that they've converted into an office. He brings back a some printed information about IQs.
They carefully explain to Kati was an IQ test really is, showing her the information.
"What was my score?" she asks, eyeing the graph.
"Right here," Cooper says, placing his finger on the page.
Kati's eyebrows raise.
"You scored 152," he tells her.
"Whoa," Kati says.
"Yeah," Charlotte laughs. "Whoa is right. You're basically a genius, baby girl."
Kati grins, blushing.
"So I get to stay in the AC class?" she asks hopefully, using the acronym for the academic challenge class.
"Better," Cooper grins. "Ms Briard thinks it would be best for you if we pushed you ahead a grade."
"So I'll be in fourth grade?" she frowns.
They nod and she chews her lip.
"What about my friends?"
Charlotte and Cooper exchange glances.
"Well, the class would be a grade 3/4 split. So some friends from your AC class would be there."
Kati thinks about this.
"And you can make some new friends," Cooper says brightly. "I bet there are some really great kids in that class."
They wait, seeing Kati's reaction.
"What do you think, baby?" Charlotte asks.
After a moment, Kati looks at them.
"I can decide?" she says, slightly surprised.
"We can all talk about it and decide what the best choice is," Charlotte replies.
"Okay," Kati says slowly.
"Okay?" Cooper repeats.
Kati nods. "I wanna do it. If I skip a grade, then I go to medical school sooner. I can be a doctor!"
"Absolutely," Charlotte smiles, giving her a nod.
"And, sweetie, you'll still see your friends," Cooper reminds her. "There's recess and birthdays and they can always come over to play."
Kati smiles, nodding again.
"Yeah," she agrees.
Excited, she lunges forward from sitting and wraps both arms around her parents' necks.
"Charlotte, it's Jessica," Charlotte hears over the phone the next day.
"Hi Jessica," she replies, making Kati's lunch. "How are you?"
"Oh, just preparing for a summer of three children tearing around my house," she replies, chuckling.
"Oh I'm sure we'll be stealin' Axel from you often," Charlotte says.
"Actually, that's who I'm calling about," Jessica says. "You know that IQ test the kids in Kati and Axel's AC class took?"
"Yes," Charlotte replies, slicing a cucumber.
"Well I had a meeting with Ms Briard yesterday, and she wants to bump Axel up a grade."
"Oh?" Charlotte says, letting the knife stop midair.
"I wanted to talk to you and Cooper," Jessica goes on. "I know Kati's a little genius; Axel is always coming home with his newest test, telling us that Kati beat him by a few marks. What do you think about it?"
"We spoke with Michelle, too," Charlotte replies, suddenly excited by the prospect of one of Kati's best friends joining her in a new class.
"I thought so," Jessica says. "So what do you think? I mean, feel free to tell me to be quiet and mind my own, I just wanted a second opinion. Aaron and I are discussing it."
"Well, we talked to Kati about it, and we all decided to do it," Charlotte replies.
"Oh, you did?" Jessica says, excited. "Oh, good. I was worried about dropping Axel into a class full of kids he doesn't know, when all of his friends are a grade behind him. But having Kati with him would make the transition easier."
"I totally agree," Charlotte replies. "We were worried about the same thing, but with the AC class, I figured she'd have someone with her. Michelle said two other kids were being pushed forward."
"I wonder who the third child is," Jessica ponders aloud.
"My money's on Henry," Charlotte replies. "You see that boy's science project? DNA? Really?"
"I know," Jessica agrees. "Gonna end up being a research scientist, you just watch."
"I'm with you," Charlotte replies, going back to fixing lunch.
"Oh, I'm so glad Axel will have Kati," Jessica says again.
"It'll be good for them to have each other," Charlotte replies. "Those two are just so cute together."
Jessica chuckles.
They plan to get the kids together in a few days, and then get off the phone.
"Hey darlin'," Charlotte smiles, taking lunch out to the deck where Kati is doing a puzzle at the table. "I've got some good news."
"What?" Kati grins, a puzzle piece midair as she stops to look at her mother.
Charlotte sets their plates down and then sits across from Kati.
"I just talked to Mrs Mason on the phone," Charlotte grins. "Guess who else is being bumped ahead with you?"
"Really?" Kati says, her grin brightening into a huge smile. "Axel too?"
"Yep," Charlotte nods.
Kati jumps up, coming around the table to leap into her mother's arms. Charlotte lifts her onto her lap, hugging her tightly.
"Feelin' a bit better about it now?" she asks, as Kati pulls back to face her.
She nods, and Charlotte pushes a piece of hair from her eyes. The smile on her daughter's face makes her heart warm, as she stares into her big eyes.