Alien Proliferation

God. I was so afraid I’d be seen out in like red or blue or something.”
    “I understand the diplomats have to wear colors. And,” he added as if he were eating a lemon, “they have to dress casually frequently, to fit in.”
    “Wow. So I’ll see your amazing butt in jeans again sooner than in a year? I can get excited about the new job after all.”
    I got dressed while Jeff put Jamie into another pink Baby Minnie sleeper and then into a pink Baby Piglet snowsuit, complete with fleece-lined hood. It was a little big on her, but not a problem.
    Someone knocked, so I took Jamie and went to the door. Reader was there. Got the cover-boy grin. “Figured you’d need this sooner than whenever.” He pushed a stroller in. Top of the line, greatest thing ever. I’d drooled over it for three months, but Jeff had felt it was too much. Reader, apparently, hadn’t agreed.
    “Oh, James.” Gave him the around the neck with one arm squeeze.
    He laughed. “I had it modified.” He pointed to the handle, where I could see a variety of A-C buttons there, including “Laser Shield” and “Invisibility Cloak.” “They’ll protect you and Jeff, too, anyone, really, as long as you’re touching the stroller.”
    “James, you’re so awesome. I love you so much.”
    He kissed my cheek. “I love you, too. Enjoy. Looks like you’re going out. Good. I was hoping this would move you along.” He put his arm around me. “Christopher showed us all what went on down in the lab, Kitty. Jeff felt we needed to know. He was right—we did need to see. And we needed to see what you did, too. You did the right thing, the hard thing, and the thing the evil people would never have done. And now you have to get past it. Start by doing something you and your husband haven’t been able to—go enjoy being the new parents of a beautiful baby girl.”
    Jeff came out. He was, shockingly, dressed in the suit. However, in deference to the snow and the cold, he was in a white sweater over his white shirt. Impressively, no tie. It was New Year’s Eve, so we were going casual . He also had a long, heavy coat, no hood. Guess hoods were only for girls and babies, per the Elves.
    He had the diaper bag, and he gave Reader a beaming smile. “You’re the best, James.”
    “I thought you were going to complain about this model. You said you didn’t want it. Not that I mind.”
    “Nah. The moment I realized just how much stuff we have to cart along was the moment I decided the one with all the stuff on it was the way to go.”
    “When was that?”
    “Five minutes ago.”
    Reader laughed. “I’m going back to the party. I’ll tell you what your family’s up to later. But don’t worry, I’m having it videotaped.”
    “Can’t wait. Say hello to Mister Joel Oliver for me.”
    “Will do. He said to tell you the Gucci Baby Book is from him. I already sent it to be checked for bugs and hidden cameras.” Reader gave us both the cover-boy grin, then sauntered off.
    Jeff took Jamie from me and settled her in the stroller. “Get your purse.”
    I trotted in, grabbed my purse. “All Poofies who want to stay warm, stay here. All Poofies who want an adventure in Kitty’s purse, hop in.” There was much mewling and purring. I checked. Wow. I had a lot of concentrated cuteness in there. Cool. Made sure everything was off and closed or whatever it was supposed to be and joined Jeff in the hallway. “Where’re we going?”
    He just smiled as we walked to the elevator. “You’ll see.”

 
    CHAPTER 88
     
    “O H, JEFF, IT’S BEAUTIFUL.”
    “Yeah. Aunt Terry took us here every year when we were kids. I think the last night to see it is tomorrow . . . if you want to come back.”
    We were at the National Christmas Tree, by the White House. The tree was huge and patriotically decorated. There weren’t a lot of other people here tonight. Most were at parties or already in bed. A light snow was falling. Jamie was out of the stroller and in my arms, the Poofs and my purse were in it. All of us were watching the lights.
    “I do.”
    “Still love hearing you say those words to me.” He kissed me as I cuddled Jamie between us. He ended our kiss slowly. “Still love doing that, too.”
    “I still love doing everything with you, Jeff.”
    He grinned. “Good to know. Oh! Almost forgot.” He reached into his pocket. “I have something for you.” He handed me a small package wrapped in festive paper.
    Oh, great. I had nothing for him.