Page 40 of Keeping Penny

And that made Pyro think about his own apartment, how he could make it more sight-impaired friendly. Bowie and Penny hadn’t visited him yet. But eventually they’d come over—he hoped—and he wanted Bowie to feel just as comfortable there as she was here.

“You look awesome. You ready to go?” Penny asked, pulling out of his arms. Pyro didn’t want to let her go, but he didn’t want to let things get weird between them either. He also didn’t want to be friend-zoned…though he was pretty sure the blushes on her face when she looked at him, and the way she was constantly touching him, were signs she was as attracted to him as he was to her.

He was willing to move slowly. After all, her life was undergoing a huge change, and Bowie came first. He was completely all right with that.

Bowie munched on a peanut butter and chocolate crispy protein bar as they walked toward the elementary school. It wasn’t the best option for breakfast, but it was better than nothing. Penny also had an apple ready to give her once she’d finished the protein bar.

The walk to the school only took ten minutes, but Pyro could see Bowie was getting nervous all over again as they got close.

“You’re coming with me to my room, right, Mommy?”

“Of course, sweetheart.”

Bowie looked up at Pyro. “You too, Kylo-Pyro?”

“Nothing could keep me away,” he replied. He loved her nickname for him. It made him smile every time he heard it.

Once inside the school, they headed for the office and got directions to Bowie’s classroom. She was going to be in a mainstream class that had an aide to help not only Bowie, but two other children who needed some extra assistance.

Pyro could feel Bowie’s hand trembling in his as they walked down the hall.

“Ships in the harbor are safe, but that’s not what they’re made for,” Bowie whispered, making Pyro’s heart fill with pride at her bravery…but also sink at the realization that he’d have to leave her when she was so scared.

She’d be fine, of course. But that didn’t make this any easier.

Looking over at Penny, he caught her eye, and could see that she was similarly conflicted.

When they arrived at the door, Penny knelt down in front of Bowie. “You’ve got this, hon. How many times have we been through some scary and tough times, but made it out just fine, and in a lot of cases better than we were before?”

Bowie thought about that for a moment, then said, “Like when we were on that roof and scared of the bad men shooting at everyone, and Kylo-Pyro showeded up? And then we went on the big boat, and got new clothes and stuff and met all his friends?”

“Exactly,” Penny said. “Just go in there and be yourself. Because you’re amazing, Bowie. And I’m not just saying that because I’m your mom.”

Bowie nodded. “Okay.”

“Okay. I’ll be here when school is over to walk you home.”

“You too?” Bowie asked, looking up toward Pyro.

He frowned. Shit. He wanted to be here. But he’d already taken some time off this morning, and his team had a meeting about a dangerous situation brewing in Northern Africa.

“I wish I could, but I have to be at work, Bowie-Bear,” he said, hating every word that came out of his mouth.

She frowned, and Pyro rushed to speak so the tears he could see sparkling in her eyes didn’t spill down her cheeks. It felt amazing that she wanted him to be there so badly, but it physically hurt that he couldn’t.

“How about I come over tonight and bring pizza for dinner? You can tell me all about your first day and the new friends you made and how awesome your teacher is.”

“Hamburger and bacon pizza?” Bowie asked, perking up a little.

“If that’s what you want.”

“Yes!”

“It’s a date then.”

“Yay!”

A woman appeared in the classroom door. She was about Pyro’s height, probably around her late twenties, and her brown hair was pulled into a braid that went down to the middle of her back. “You must be Bowie Burns! I’m Miss Blake, your teacher. I’m so happy you’re joining us,” she said in a low, gentle voice.