Chapter 175

A dizzying rush flooded Stacey's head. She spun around, scooped up Kevin, and whispered, "Hush, Kev. I love you too." She'd become so accustomed to soothing crying children that she'd almost overlooked Kevin's quiet envy of Lillian and Jeremy. A pang of guilt struck her.

Kevin's eyes widened in surprise. Stacey kissed him again. "Be good, get some sleep," she murmured, smiling.

His eyes shone. "Okay!"

Stacey tucked him in, humming softly, "Night-night."

"Night-night, Mommy," Kevin mumbled contentedly. "Sweet dreams, Kev," she whispered. She put them all to bed, switched off the lights, and settled down.

From the other side of the bed, Jeremy mumbled enviously, If only I were her kid too. Soon, everyone slept.

The next morning, Stacey was ready for work. Jeremy, mimicking his father's routine back home, wanted to come along. Unless he went to kindergarten, his father always took him to work.

Seeing Jeremy, a memory of the boy's tearful dream surfaced. Stacey helped him into the car. He was always well-behaved at the office; his presence wouldn't be a problem.

But then, Lillian and Kevin, seeing Jeremy, scrambled toward the car. It was as if a gate had swung open. Gwen and Marie panicked, trying to restrain them.

Patrick chuckled. "It's fine. Get Lily and Kev their things and some toys. Let them come to the office."

Stacey sighed at her father's indulgence. Patrick instructed the driver to wait while Gwen and Marie gathered the children's belongings.

Stacey helped Lillian and Kevin into the car, then squatted down. "Lily, Kev, if you come to work with me, you have to promise three things."

Lillian's eyes lit up. "What promises?"

Stacey held up a finger. "First, no noise, no asking me to play when I'm working. You have to play by yourselves."

Lillian looked troubled. Kevin was confused. "Why can't we ask you to play?"

Stacey explained solemnly, "Because I have work to do."

"Then you shouldn't work!" Lillian blurted.

Stacey’s mouth twitched. Patrick feigned anger, chuckling, "So, Lily, you don't want to play with me? Hmph! I'm so mad!"

Lillian's eyes widened. "I'll play with you!"

Kevin, eyes sparkling, declared, "I wanna play with you, Mommy!" He remembered her words from the night before.

Jeremy watched. Though only three, he understood from his time with his father that children shouldn't disturb working adults. He quickly wrote four words on his writing tablet and pressed the read button.

"I'll play with you!" the tablet's AI announced.

Gwen and Marie arrived with toys, clothes, and bottles. The driver started the engine.

In the car, Jeremy used his tablet to explain, "When Mommy's working, you can't ask her to play. It'll disturb her."

Lillian and Kevin didn't understand, but they were fascinated by the talking tablet.

"Jeremy, it talks!" Lillian gasped. This was her first time hearing it speak.

"So cool!" Kevin echoed.

Jeremy discreetly wrote and activated the reader again. "This is my voice," the tablet said.

"Wow!" Lillian stared, mouth open. Kevin reached for it. Jeremy let him. Lillian wanted a turn too.

Stacey cautioned, "Be careful, Lily and Kev. Don't drop it. It's very important to Jeremy."

Jeremy smiled, pleased by their interest.

Stacey turned to Gwen and Marie. "Keep an eye on them. Don't let them break Jeremy's tablet."

Jeremy's tablet was his lifeline. Gwen and Marie nodded.

Stacey considered the tablet's brand. She wanted to buy more—one for Lillian and Kevin, even. Maybe they'd learn to read and write with Jeremy.