53
"Is that your baby?" Jimmy has appeared from the kitchen. I turn and smile at him.
"Yeah, this is Sasha." I place her on the floor, holding her steady for a moment while she finds her balance. "Would you take her through to the living room for me?"
"Sure," he says.
"I really don't think—" Kate begins, before I cut her off with a sharp glare.
Sasha walks unsteadily toward Jimmy, and he giggles loudly when she sways and lands on her butt, before getting up again. Taking her hand, he guides her in the right direction. He's a sweet kid.
"Really, Edward?" Kate hisses. I turn my full attention to her.
"Royce turned on Rosalie," I explain. "She's in a bad way and he's in jail. Izzy helped out when Rose was stuck yesterday and she just called round to see how she is today. I didn't even know she was coming. So before you start bitching at me, please don't, because it's been a really tough twenty-four hours, okay?"
Kate's mouth drops open.
"Oh my God! Is she okay?"
"You can come and see for yourself if you promise to play nicely," I tell her, satisfied when she at least has the decency to look embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, I just thought—"
"It doesn't matter." I reason if the situation were reversed, I'd have jumped to the wrong conclusion too. "But I wish you'd give her a chance, Kate. She's really trying, here."
"Okay, I'll try," she acquiesces.
"Thank you."
The atmosphere in the living room is warmed by the fact Jimmy has dragged Sasha's toy-box into the middle of the rug and they're sitting side-by-side, laughing as Jimmy presses buttons and turns dials, to make characters jump out of doors on one of the toys. Each time one pops out, Jimmy fake-squeals and Sasha giggles harder, until everyone in the room has a genuine smile on their face.
"Oh my gosh, she's so adorable!" Izzy exclaims, as Sasha's giggles bring on a bout of hiccups.
"Thanks," Kate replies, turning her smile on Izzy. I reach down and squeeze Kate's hand, smiling gratefully as I acknowledge her efforts. I know how she feels and I know this isn't easy for her.
Kate moves away, leaning down to hug Rose, and sitting down beside her to catch up.
I catch Izzy's eye across the room. She looks happy, but unsure, as though she thinks everyone could turn on her in a moment.
"Are you okay?" I mouth. She nods and looks down to Jimmy where he still plays happily with Sasha. I look too, and wonder if her head is in the same place as mine.
~S~