Page 42 of Dark Awakening: New World

It was so like Kian to assume that everyone was free to jump to do his bidding at a moment's notice. As it happened, Kalugal had planned to work from home, but his schedule was already full. He had several conference calls that he needed to make, which would be a pain to reschedule.

"My day is already full, but I've blocked off time for lunch. How about you and Brandon come over to my house, and we can have lunch together?"

There was a long silence, and Kalugal could imagine Kian trying to come up with excuses as to why it was better to meet at his office.

"I can order lunch at my office," he said.

"Oh, come on. What are you going to order, sandwiches from the café? At my place, you will be treated to a proper meal cooked by a chef. Atzil will whip up something special for lunch. Besides, Brandon hasn't seen the place yet, and it's about time that he did."

"You remember that I'm vegan, right? I'm the scourge of every self-respecting chef."

"That is true." Kalugal laughed. "But I have no doubt that Atzil will rise to the challenge and prepare a delicious vegan meal for you."

Kian sighed. "Let me check with Brandon. If he's free for lunch, I'll text you to confirm."

"Good deal. I'll wait before informing Atzil about the change in the menu for today." He ended the call and walked back into the kitchen.

While he'd been gone, Jacki had cleaned up the mess on the floor and their son.

"What did Kian want?" she asked.

When he told her, she snorted. "Atzil's going to throw a tantrum. The only vegan dishes he makes are steamed beans and roasted carrots or Brussels sprouts."

Kalugal shrugged. "That counts, right? What else are you supposed to serve a vegan?"

"I don't know. Something made from tofu?"

Kalugal grimaced. "It's so like Kian to suck the joy out of his own life. It's not like he needs to deprive himself for health reasons."

"He feels it's morally right," Jacki said. "But it takes willpower that I don't have."

"Save your willpower for more important things." Kalugal turned his attention to Darius, who was attempting to grab his own feet, fascinated by discovering them once again. "Now, what do you say we have some father-son bonding time before Daddy needs to go to his office?"

He scooped Darius out of the high chair and spun him around, earning a delighted squeal. He laid him down on his play blanket in the family room and sat beside him on the floor. "Alright, my little fighter. Show Daddy how well you can roll over."

Darius gurgled, his eyes fixed on Kalugal's face, and stuck a finger in his mouth, sucking greedily as if there was milk in it.

Kalugal lay down on his side next to the baby. "Watch Daddy. I'll show you how to do it, alright?"

"Like this, see?" He rolled onto his back and then his other side. "Easy."

Darius watched with rapt attention but didn't show the slightest interest in moving.

"He's too young to understand," Jacki said. "Put him on his belly, and he will roll onto his back."

The moment Kalugal did as Jacki had instructed, Darius rolled onto his back and gave Kalugal a look that seemed to say, you doubted me?

"Very good." Kalugal leaned down and peppered his son's wet cheek with kisses. "You've got this."

Kalugal looked up to see his wife leaning against the doorframe and watching them with a soft smile. "Our little guy is growing so fast."

Jacki moved to join them on the floor, running a gentle hand over Darius's head. "It seems like he was born just yesterday."

Sensing he was the topic of conversation, Darius babbled a string of "ba" and "da" sounds.

"Is that so?" Kalugal asked seriously, nodding as if he understood every word. "Tell me more about your thoughts on the current political climate, son."

"The world is on fire," Jacki said in a near whisper. "I hope things will calm down by the time Darius is old enough to understand what is going on."