Page 97 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

But he wanted to sit with Papa. He didn’t want to sit in his chair. He pushed his plate over and climbed down, moving over to Papa. “I wanna sit with you.”

Papa looked at him for a second before he smiled. “Come here.”

He ate his breakfast while Papa told him about their school work for the day. They were talking about bugs. Everybody got to do different ‘speriments and read special books. Ollie was going to read about spiders. Ben picked grasshoppers.

Papa said they had lots to learn since they didn’t get to go to regular school. Ben liked it, but Ollie wanted to play games with Grandpa or Pop-pop. Sometimes Uncle Meshaq would come play, too. Uncle Meshaq liked Candy Land the best.

“We’re also going to start our Valentine’s projects today,” Papa said. “You’ll like those. We’re going to make one for everyone in our pack.”

“Papa, what’s Valentine’s?”

“It’s a day where you tell people how much you love them.”

Ollie frowned and looked up at Papa. “You love me every day. You said.”

“Yep. To the moon and back. It’s a day when you tell everybody, though, not just Daddies and Papas and brothers and sisters. And you want to know the best part?”

Ollie was pretty sure it was a trap. Papa was super tricky and sometimes the best parts weren’t the best at all. “What?”

“We get to use glitter and scissors.”

Ollie turned around on Papa’s lap and looked right into his eyes. “Glitter AND scissors?”

“Yep.”

“I love Valentine’s!”

“I thought you would,” Papa said with a laugh.

Daddy came out all dressed for his day at the clinic. He had his white coat over his arm and sat it on the couch before he came over to them with a smile.

“What has you both smiling so much?”

“Glitter!” Ollie said.

He held up his arms and Daddy scooped him up.

“Glitter!” Daddy carried him over to the toaster and got out his bagel. “Tell me there aren’t going to be scissors, too?”

Ollie nodded. “I love crafts.”

“I know you do, pup. Did you eat your breakfast?”

Ollie nodded again.

“That’s my good boy. Do me a favor?”

“Okay, Daddy!”

“Grandpa William is up. Will you go ask him if he would like breakfast? Remember your manners. Knock on doors.”

“I’ll remember!”

Daddy kissed his forehead and put him down. Ollie ran for the stairs and went up to Grandpa William’s room. He could hear the TV playing the news once he was close. He knocked gently on the door and waited for Grandpa to say he could come in.

“Come in.”

Whew. It took forever. Ollie scampered into the room and found Grandpa William in his recliner. He skipped over to the arm and leaned in. “Hi, Grandpa.”