Alien in the House

later—now was Jamie Time. Dad came in for the second half of our songfest and Jamie went to bed a very happy little girl.
    “You two look exhausted,” Dad said after we closed the door to the nursery. “Get some sleep. I’m going to do the same.” After hugs and kisses, Dad trotted down the hall.
    Tossed the paper I’d found inside the eagle onto our dresser, which was where the all the bills Jeff had to go over were sitting. Decided all of that crap could wait.
    “We’re having brunch with the Brewers tomorrow,” I told Jeff as we got undressed and into the standard-issue pajamas.
    “Great. See? They’re not as bad as they used to be, are they?”
    “No. They seem genuinely interested in being our friends.”
    “Yeah. I didn’t pick up any guile or fake interest. I mean, they could have been wearing an emotional overlay, but if they weren’t, they feel just like they always have to me—that they’re interested in us as people.”
    “That’s nice. Edmund said he’d help you with the bills if you want.”
    “Yeah, I think I will. Is that part of tomorrow’s plan?”
    “Uh huh. You two will do that while Nathalie and I, or Nathalie, Jamie, and I, look at her portfolio.” We snuggled into bed.
    “Do we want to bring Jamie along?” Jeff sounded worried.
    “Well, Nathalie said they love kids, but I’m sure it’s not them you’re concerned about.”
    “No. There’s a lot of dangerous things going on right now. I think I’d prefer to keep Jamie safe in the Embassy or at the Pontifex’s Residence. Unless you think that much time away from us is going to be bad for her or hurt her feelings.”
    “You’d be the one who could tell that for sure. But I think she’ll be okay with it.” Had a thought. “Can Jamie be affected by the emotional blockers and such? Or are the blocks you put in strong enough that she won’t notice?”
    Jeff sighed. “I don’t know. The blocks Christopher and I put into Jamie should mean that she couldn’t pick up anything, any more than a regular, non-talented child could. But she obviously can pick up things, and I think it’s more than her, as you put it, baby animal senses. Whether that means she’s learned how to manipulate the blocks like Christopher and I do, or if they just aren’t as strong as her powers, I don’t know. And I’m honestly afraid to ask.”
    “Yeah, I know what you mean. She’s going to be okay, though, right?”
    He hugged me. “I’m sure she is, baby. She’s our daughter. She’s got guts and gumption and common sense from you. Jamie will be able to handle anything. Not that I want to find out what she can handle just yet.”
    “Me either.” Snuggled closer. “So, you tired?”
    Jeff chuckled. “Not too tired to make you happy, baby.”
    “Oh, I like where the Distinguished Gentleman from New Mexico’s head’s at.”
    We weren’t too tired to do the deed, but we were both too tired to get fancy about it. Of course, Jeff’s version of nothing fancy meant I had a nice selection of orgasms before we finished up and fell asleep, wrapped around each other.
    Woke up in the middle of the night, my face buried in between Jeff’s pecs. This was a great position to wake up in, but I could tell he was still fast asleep.
    As with the night before, tried to figure out if I was up for any significant reason. Didn’t hear anything other than the baby sleep sounds Jamie made coming from the baby monitor. So I either had to go back to sleep or move out of one of my favorite positions.
    Under the circumstances, figured I should take one for the team and be sure that all was well. Moved carefully so I wouldn’t wake Jeff up, and rolled out of bed. Nothing seemed amiss in our room. The entire Poof Contingent had returned with Jamie, as had all the cats and dogs. The dogs were happily snoozing in the guest room with my father. The cats and Poofs were asleep in their condos.
    Put my nightclothes back on, got into my slippers and robe, and checked on Jamie. She was asleep, Mous-Mous snuggled in her arms, a variety of other Poofs in the crib with them. Harlie was one of them. Harlie opened its eyes, mewed quietly, and closed its eyes again. All was well in Jamie Land.
    By now, I was awake. Mister Clock shared that it was 2 a.m. No wonder I was tired—I kept on waking up at these ridiculous hours for no good reason whatsoever.
    Figured it was time for some hot cocoa and maybe I’d get sleepy again. Also figured that nothing was going