Happy thanksgiving!

Sorry for not updating recently but I've been pretty busy. Anyway, I'm trying to balance the scales with POVs and I think I'm going to go in this order from now on: Cleo, Lewis, Rikki, Bella, Emma, Kim. I also have chapters 38-51 planned already so trust that I'm not going to drop this story anytime soon!

Enjoy!

DA

Chapter 38- Lewis's POV

Quietly, I slip into my work clothes, trying not to wake Cleo. Unfortunately, however, she sleepily stretches and blinks open her eyes.

"Good morning," she says when she sees me. I grin and walk to the bed, leaning down and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Good morning, homeowner," I joke. Cleo sits upright, smiling, and looks around. We're in our new bedroom in our new house and everything feels perfect.

From the baby monitor, I hear Isla make small noises, indicating that she is awake. Like clockwork, she begins to whimper and then cry within the minute. "I'll get her," Cleo says, and then walks out of the room. I watch her, infatuated.

After a minute, Cleo comes back in, holding a tired Isla. Our daughter clings to her, holding her shirt tightly and hiding her face when I come over. "Aw," Cleo giggles, "somebody's grumpy."

I smile and kiss the back of Isla's head, knowing that when the little girl gets in a mood like this, the only person she'll respond to is her mama.

"Oof," says Cleo, shifting our baby, "you're getting heavy, sweetie pie. You know, Lewis," I perk up when she says my name, "soon she'll be a year old."

I shake my head, grinning. It's crazy. It feels like only yesterday she was a bald, red-faced newborn who couldn't support her own head. Now she's got beautiful blonde curls and green-brown eyes and a whole personality.

"I know," I finally reply, "it's insane."

Cleo bounces Isla and the, when the little girl begins to tear up, says, "I'm going to go feed her."

My girls walk out of the room and I smile and finish getting ready for work. Walking into the kitchen, I grab a banana and head out. "Bye, sweetie," I say to Cleo, who is unsuccessfully trying to get Isla to eat her mashed peaches. "Bye!" she calls back.

A short while later, I arrive at work.

"Lewis!" I hear, and I turn to see Leena, my coworker, walking over. "Hey, wait up!"

I stand still and let her catch up to me. "Hey, so I got the forms signed from Sam. Now all we need to do it head over to the marine park and get them signed by the owner and the head dolphin trainer," she explains. We've been trying to get clearance to do some observations on the dolphins in the marine park and the differences between those who live in pools with multiple dolphins and those who live alone. I've met the owner of the marine park and she seems nice, I'm sure she'll sign, and as for the head dolphin trainer, well … I know her very well. Cleo got the job two years ago, and, although she's the only trainer they've ever had that doesn't get in the water, she's also the best they've ever had.

"Great!" I say. "Now we can finally get started on our experiment!"

Leena smiles at me and I smile back. "So," she says, "how's the family?"

"Oh, they're great! Isla is almost one, which I can barely believe, and Cleo is going back to work next week. My parents are coming to visit in a month or two, as well. What about you?"

"I'm doing pretty well. My sister is in town and she's been staying with me, which is fun."

I smile, a bit awkward. I can remember a time when Leena would have mentioned Roy in regards to her family. I suddenly think of something.

"Hey," I say, "do you want to come to my place this Friday? Cleo and I are having a housewarming party, and we'd love to have you."

Leena nods. "It sounds fun. Who'll be there?"

"Oh, Don and Sam- my in laws- Cleo's sister Kim and her girlfriend Casey, and our friends Bella and Will and their son Percy, Rikki and Zane, and Emma and her new boyfriend Byron. I think you've met most of them."

Again, Leena nods. "I'll check my calendar, but I'd love to go. Can I get back to you?"

"Of course."

The rest of the day passes quickly, and by six in the evening I'm excitedly driving to my new home.