To Thine Own Self

Katie giggled and assisted him so that he could hug his daddy, but kept him in her lap. Alex hugged Matthew and kissed him before turning his attention to Natalie. She was quiet and reserved for a two year old. Her gaze was fixed on him, something obviously going on behind eyes that couldn't decide whether they were green or blue. Mums said that was what Carmen's eyes looked like when she was a baby. One of Natalie's fingers twisted a curly blond lock while the other hand held a thumb firmly in her mouth.

Destiny grabbed Alex around the neck and planted a wet kiss on his cheek.

"I missed you, Daddy!"

Her auburn curls were drawn up into a decorative band at the side of her head. Gray eyes studied him, waiting for a response.

He kissed her. "I missed you all too, sweetheart." He hugged her for a moment and then released her. "Now sit down. They're getting ready to open the curtains again."

Katie smiled at him. "I thought you were going to miss it."

As the curtain lifted, the props had been changed so the room looked like a kitchen, with cardboard cut-out's of stove, sink and refrigerator. A table had been placed in the middle, and Jonathan sat at it, disguised as a man with graying hair. A student in a gray wig and exaggerated backside was at the sink, pretending to wash dishes. She turned to Jonathan and asked where Susie was. He replied that she was still primping.

Carmen arrived on stage with an energy that kept her ponytail bobbing. She was dressed in typical teenage garb and her large amethyst eyes were accentuated with heavy makeup. She wore black leggings and a mini-skirt with a dropped waistline. The halter top she wore exposed her trim midriff. In spite of the fact that she was now 32, she actually looked like a teenager. Being petite helped, but she still had the smooth lines of a young girl.

He barely noticed the others as Carmen played her part. She was still beautiful - still had that innocent look about her. No wonder they selected her for the part. It was a skit about the typical problems faced by both adults and students. Jonathan was doing a surprisingly convincing job on his part.

Katie leaned toward Alex. "She's so cute, and Jonathan looks like a little man."

He nodded, not removing his attention from Carmen.

Katie lowered her voice. "Do you want me to watch the kids tonight?"

He glanced at her, his neck growing warm.