Universal Alien Read Online Free PDF Page B

all.”
    â€œIt’s all I have,” James said dramatically, while the boys giggled. “If not for the love of the children, I’d be cast aside until you needed me.”
    Peter snorted as he wheeled in the large serving cart. “Yes, Jimmy, you’re suffering so. My darlings, take your seats. Breakfast is served.”
    Charlie and Max went to their seats, Dad picked Jamie up and put her into her chair between him and James, while Charles helped me into my chair and then sat beside me. I sniffed. “Peter, that smells amazing.”
    â€œJust a little eggs Benedict made in our family’s unique style for the adults, and scrambled eggs with lox and chives for our precious little ones.” Our family’s special eggs Benedict addition was lox. We all loved lox. And Peter’s hollandaise sauce was to die for. I started to drool a little.
    â€œAnd fresh-squeezed orange juice!” Charlie added.
    â€œAnd cocoa, tea, coffee, milk, and whatever else we want to drink,” Peter said as he put a perfectly arranged plate in front of me. In addition to the delicious-smelling egg dish, there were beautiful breakfast potatoes, sliced fruit, and a small serving of yogurt.
    Peter was, as always, amazing. We’d only been in D.C. for a day or so and he had the household running like we’d never left. Peter could have had a full staff—we could certainly afford it—but he insisted that he preferred to ensure that he remained invaluable. Once we were all served and Peter was seated, Dad said a short blessing, then we all got to the business of eating breakfast.
    Conversation centered around how good the food was and the weather, which was cold but clear. Charles brought up the skiing idea, which was met with enthusiasm from the boys. All the adults, however, were of my opinion—we’d rather avoid being in the jet or on a long car ride for a while.
    â€œSo, Dad, we’re thinking we’ll tackle the zoo today. You coming with?”
    â€œNo, kitten, I can’t.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    Dad sighed. “Your Aunt Carla has a half-day layover and wants to see us. I told her that you all had unbreakable plans, but that I was free.”
    â€œOh. God. Thanks for taking one for the team, Dad. You’re the best.”
    â€œIs she coming here?” Charles asked, with absolutely no enthusiasm. I shared his reaction.
    Dad shook his head. “I’m meeting her at the airport. She gave me the usual complaints about Colonial Village.”
    â€œHow does Aunt Carla the Bigoted Snob come from the same family as Mom?” Colonial Village was mostly African-American. No one here had ever made us feel anything other than welcome, and we had a lot in common with our neighbors, seeing as they were all affluent and mostly in high-powered government jobs. Only my Aunt Carla or someone like her would complain about our having a home here.
    â€œThere’s one in every family, kitten.”
    â€œBe glad Charles has money,” James said with a laugh. “Or you’d never hear the end of how you shouldn’t have married him.”
    â€œYes, because the money’s what motivates Kitty,” Charles said dryly. He took and squeezed my hand.
    â€œRight. Not brains, personality, looks, or, you know, anything else.”
    Charles grinned at me. I’d learned, fast, not to mention that I was motivated by our great sex life—Charlie had been far too aware, far too early, of what words meant. We weren’t sure if he was smarter than me and Charles, but we were betting that he was. Max, too. Jamie . . . well, the jury was still out.
    â€œDo you need us to drop you at the airport?” James asked.
    Dad shook his head. “I’ll drive myself. That way, if Carla’s flight is delayed the rest of you won’t have to worry.”
    â€œWe could take her to the zoo with us. I’m sure the lions are