Chapter Text
Joe woke when Saar jumped up in the bed, and all the air was knocked out of him.
Saar: "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy."
Saar started dancing around Joe, who tried to shield himself from having the air knocked out of him again. In the end, Joe pulled Saar down to prevent them from getting hurt.
Joe: "Why are you so happy this morning? Last night you were all moppy because school starts tomorrow."
Saar: "Talked with Nicky."
Joe had met Nicky at a bar on a night off five months ago. They took it slow to begin with and waited until Saar was ready to meet Nicky. It happened three weeks ago when Saar found out that Nicky taught other people to bake cakes in his little pastry school. At first, Saar was a bit nervous when she saw Nicky, but that only lasted a few minutes until they discovered they both loved caramel. They spent an entire afternoon baking caramel muffins, resulting in all three being high on sugar because they ate more caramel than muffins. Nicky said sorry to Joe about it, but Joe said it still was summer vacation, so it didn't matter.
From that day, they had spent almost all days of the summer vacation together except ten days when Joe and Saar visited family in Tunis. Saar insisted on calling Nicky every day they were in Tunis so that she could show him a new cake or an ingredient she thought would taste good in a cake. Nicky asked if it was ok that Saar called him, which Joe didn't have a problem with because he hoped they would be friends and maybe more one day.
Joe: "Oh, you mean your new Bestie."
Saar rolled her eyes in the way only a pre-teen could do.
Saar: "Daddy, stop using young words. You're over 30, not 11."
Joe: "And here I thought it made me young and hip, sounding like you."
Joe tried to make a dance move while lying down. It made Saar roll her eyes again.
Saar: "If you don't stop that, I won't tell you what I talked with Nicky about."
Joe: "Fair enough. What did you talk about?"
Saar: "We talked about school. Nicky said that back in Italy, he had to learn Latin in fifth grade. So, I checked Latin out, and now I don't mind going to school tomorrow because I don't have to learn Latin."
Joe: "Maybe you should learn Latin anyway. In case you need it one day."
Saar: "I'll learn Latin the day you give me a pony."
Joe: "You know we don't have room for a pony."
Saar jumped down from the bed before she started pulling in Joe's arm.
Saar: "I know. Come on, Daddy. I'm hungry, and I want breakfast before we meet Nicky."
Joe: "We're meeting Nicky today. Why wasn't I told about it?"
Saar: "Dooh, I just did. Come on, Daddy."
Saar kept on pulling in Joe's arm.
Joe: "I think I want to sleep some more."
Joe pulled one of the duvets over his head. When that happened, Saar took both duvets.
Saar: "You can pick your duvets up in my room. And because you won't get up, I'll eat all the Coco Pops left in the box and pour chocolate milk over it."
Joe: "Ok, fine, I give in, but only because you took my duvets."
Saar smiled when Joe sat up and ruffled his hair.
Joe: "While we eat breakfast, I want to know what else you talked with Nicky about."
Saar: "Fair enough. I'll meet you in the kitchen when I have put your duvets in my room. So you won't get tempted to go back to sleep."
Joe: "You sound more and more like your Imma."
Saar: "Thank you. Imma is the best Imma in the world."
Saar left the bedroom with the duvets while Joe got into some clothes. Then he checked his mobile and saw a text from Nicky.
Nicky 8.14 AM: "Morning, Sleepyhead. All Saar and I talked about her wanting to eat dinner with us both after a walk. I said she should ask you first before I would say yes, because I know she is starting school tomorrow. Nicky."
Joe 9.02 AM: "Morning Babe. More than fine, and I don't see a problem with it. Text you the time later. Joe."
Joe put the mobile in his pocket before walking out into the kitchen after a visit to the bathroom. Saar was sitting at the table and was drawing. Joe placed a kiss on Saar's head before he placed a bowl in front of her.
Joe: "Since you're still on summer vacation, you can have the Coco Pops your way. But tomorrow, we're going back to the usual for breakfast."
Saar: "More than fine, Daddy. I kinda miss your porridge, but not enough yet."
Joe started to make tea and cut up some fruit while Saar found the Coco Pops and chocolate milk.
Joe: "Now, tell me what you talked with Nicky about."
Saar: "I suggested we took a long walk before dinner. And that we made dinner together again. Like we did before we went to Tunis. I know it's a school day tomorrow..."
Joe: "I think it's a wonderful idea. We also need to get you new pencils for school. We can pick those up while we walk."
Saar nodded as she started to stir around in the bowl. It was clear that Saar had something on her mind.
Joe: "Is there something wrong?"
Saar: "I was thinking about something, Daddy. It has to do with you and Nicky."
Joe: "Remember when I told you I want you to ask me anything if you got questions about my relationship with Nicky."
Saar: "I know. Ok, please don't be mad at me when I ask."
Joe: "I promise."
Saar ate the rest of her Coco Pops. Joe gave her the time she needed because he didn't want to put pressure on Saar.
Saar: "I was just wondering, why don't you and Nicky sleep together here? Like Mika's Mothers. They're Lesbiums, and like Mika, I don't have a problem with that because I like the idea of us three waking up together and eating breakfast in our pyjamas while watching SpongeBob SquarePants on the sofa under blankets."
Joe still remembered the first time Saar had said Lesbiums. Saar was just four and had just met Mika. When Saar wanted to introduce Mika's Mothers to Joe, she had said Lesbiums because she couldn't pronounce Lesbians. And it was a word that had stuck.
Joe: "I think that it's a wonderful idea you have, Saar. And the reason why we haven't done it yet is that Nicky and I don't want to rush things. We want to take the time to get to know each other, and I want you also to take the time to get to know Nicky. Do you understand?"
Saar: "I do, Daddy, but can we really do it one day? The sofa thing."
Joe: "Yes, but let's make a deal. You turn twelve next month, and if things are still going well with Nicky, we will ask him over."
Saar: "It's a deal, Daddy. Thanks."
Saar hugged Joe.
Joe: "Now, it's time for us both to shower before meeting Nicky. And if you're fast enough, you can go first today."
Saar knew she couldn't run inside, so she walked really fast instead. After cleaning the table, Joe found his mobile so he could text Nicky.
Joe 10.09 AM: "Hi you. I talked with Saar, and I think dinner sounds lovely. Can we do it at my place? School day tomorrow. And yes, you can be the head chef. Love when you boss me around. Joe."
Nicky 10.10 AM: "Sounds wonderful and like a fun day. I just need to do something first, so should we meet up at the ugly fountain downtown at 1 PM? Nicky."
Joe 10.10 AM: "Just fine. See you."