Settling in

Ren

I smiled. "I'm adjusting very well, especially with my Idala with me." I said and nuzzled her cheek. Kelsey leaned into my neck and looked up at me. I smiled gently and kissed her forehead.

I noticed she seemed a little uncomfortable sitting in my lap since last week. I didn't know why. She was so light.

"Well what jobs are you looking for?" Mike asked. Sarah put an elbow in his abdomen but he just shrugged t off. "What? It's not like the man doesn't have a job." He said.

I smiled warmly at my parents in law. "No Sarah it is fine. I am managing Rajaram Industries from home, though we are planning to build an office here in oregon." I told him. He looked pacified as he nodded.

"And the house looks very lovely." Sarah said.

I nodded and Kelsey answered. "You can thank Ren for that. He has amazing design skills." She smiled and motioned to all of the decor and furniture choices.

"Uncle Ren, will you read to us?" Sam asked me sweetly with wide and boyish eyes.

"Of course my dears." I said and Kelsey stood, though she seemed somewhat slow, careful almost.

Rebecca picked a book off of the huge bookshelf Kells and I had in the living room.

SHe had grabbed an Indian legend that Kadam had left in the library at the Manor that Kells and I took home with us.

It's a tale called The Mahabharata. It was a war between the kingdom of Kurus and Panchalas.

I sat on one of the cushions near the fireplace and read to my niece and nephew. They were so sweet faced and young, they reminded me of the children that I knew back when my parents ruled the kingdom.

At the end of the story I looked over to Kells. SHe was curled up on the recliner with her quilt wrapped tightly around her and her arms crossed over her stomach. I smiled and stood, putting the book back on the shelf and walking to her.

I picked her up and sat down with her in my lap, her never waking. I smiled down at her and kissed her cheek before restoring my attention to my new family.

"SHe's been so tired lately. I think the stress of returning to University has taken effect on her." I told them. Mike nodded but Sarah just looked at me knowingly.

"Is Kells asleep?" Rebecca asked. I nodded and she walked over to us. SHe gently kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, "I love you sis." Sam repeated the action and they sat down to play with the large tiger on the coush and the tiger face pillows. Idala said she wanted to remember the tiger side of me.

ONE HOUR LATER

After an hour Sam and Rebecca were fast asleep on the couch, clutching the tiger. Just like Kelsey used to clutch the tiger me. No she clung to my chest, after Mike Sarah and the kids left, as i walked to our room. Luckily she was wearing sweats anyways and wasnt wearing any makeup. I left her in bed, changed and climbed in next to her. I kissed her cheek shut off the light and whispered "I love you Idala