#anywhere

Then a little concerned, "You don't think he's faking it, do you? He could be, he's a Pooka. Like... tomorrow, I'll go check out this room number... and it's empty, and no one there, and he never wanted to actually have anything to do with me?"

She shakes her head. "I don't think he's faking. But... be gentle if he gets scared or unsure, too."

"Do you think... he said he had a daughter, and lost her. Was that... do you think he remembers me? Or was that maybe another person, or just... pooka fluff?"

"I don't want to pry, but on the other hand... you know... I kinda... DO?"

"It's hard to be sure. It sounds like he knew about you - but, well, a parent can love you and not be able to take care of you."

"I can't say I was abandoned. I wasn't. I had the best home and moms growing up anyone could ever wish for. Getting to know him now will be an added bonus, and I'm lucky for it."

"You got two great moms. Sometimes..." Her mouth works as she tries to figure out the phrasing. "Sometimes, yeah. Maybe it's a good thing you met him now, when you were ready."

"Well, I owe you, big time."

"Do you want to stay overnight at the Freehold? Or we can grab a hotel room... I'd like to stay another day, if that's okay. Or, well - if you want to go back, I can stay a few days and take a bus home later?"

"Freehold did offer the night."

"Well, let's start with that!"

"I can cover the Uber back."

"Not a chance." A grin.

And time? Time passes...

(to be continued in the morning hours as they wake up in the OBH (Ocean Breeze hold))