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Katie is in uniform. Multi shouldn't think she looks sweet but it's been a while since she'd last worn it and there's a sunny sort of optimism seeping from her today; the kind that's become more rare as the months have marched on. This opening has been delayed for so long that Multi had half expected it to not go through at all – even if he'd had the sense to not tell Katie that.
"Multi!" Katie finally spots him, her head so in the clouds that she'd not noticed until he was right in front of her. He suspects it's ADHD but knows that she won't get tested unless she's dragged, and he isn't nearly rough enough with her these days for that to ever happen. "I've been looking for you!"
"You were?" Multi asks, his brow raised in doubt.
"Duh. I'm always looking for you." Katie exhales, a deep sigh that seems burdened. "You're never where you're meant to be."
It's more accurate than Multi would like. He's been busy as of late, immersed in his work, constantly rewriting his plans and searching for material in places he wouldn't want Katie going to. She's smiling but there's a sharpness to the words that tell him she's sniffing out information – looking for a chink in his armour. He won't tell her anything, of course. Least of all here in the open. Don and Graf are only a couple meters ago, lounging on a bench and gossiping too loudly.
Multi isn't even really sure of what he'd say about his recurrent absences anyway. It's dangerous? As if danger has ever been enough to deter Katie from anything.
"Your uniform is wrinkled," he says instead, raising a hand to flick at the bent corner of her collar. Katie swats him away in an instant, leaving his arm stinging while he pouts.
"I didn't have time to iron. You know how popular my place is, I didn't want to be late and disappoint my patrons." Multi holds back a snort. He's sure the amusement is showing despite that.
"I'm surprised you still fit into it after all this time."
Katie's smile twitches, faltering for a moment. "It hasn't been that long." And she elbows him right in the ribs, dropping all pretence of propriety. Multi grunts and takes a step back, rubbing at the hurt.
She's got the boniest elbows known to mankind.
"You should be proud." Katie folds her arms. "I'm gonna bring in a steady income for our family."
Multi could mention that he's already been doing that but he's too caught on the togetherness of that statement, tripping over his own heartbeat as his mind struggles to formulate a response. It's more of a distraction than the soreness but somehow the two sensations manage to entwine, his chest full up enough that he has to swallow.
"About time," he finally says, the words coming out weak.
"You better be careful; I came to invite you to the opening but maybe I shouldn't with that attitude."
Multi squints up at Katie, taking her in for a second. "You can't not invite me. I'm the father of your child."
"I don't need a reminder." Katie glances over at where Don is standing up, humming as she does so – a familiar little melody. "You'll come then, right? Family get a discount."
Multi knows he's running out of time but he figures he can save all the bad news for after and give Katie this much at least – a couple more hours of reprieve from the truth. He allows himself to bask in the vision of her right now, almost untouched by everything bad and a cloudless sky stretching out around them. It might be the last chance, after all.
"I'll stop by if I have time."
Katie tuts, but she nods. "I'll let Nacho know then."
If Multi was less of a coward he might hug her but he settles for patting her shoulder instead in goodbye. He hopes there will be time enough for that later.