Now

“Come on now, you two. Ganmáng. It’s bedtime.”

“Momma!”

“Don’t you “momma” me, Ainslee River Tam.” Kaylee put her hands on her hips and tried to look stern, but her eyes were twinkling. “Your toys will be here in the morning, kiddos.”

“Just five more minutes?” Ainslee begged.

“Yeah, momma. Promise. Just five.” Simon’s eyes, Kaylee’s eyes, were wide. He held up five fingers.

“What’s going on in here?” a cheerful voice asked from behind Kaylee.

“DADDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!” Ainslee squealed, launching herself at Simon, who scooped her up, kissing both cheeks. “How’s my favorite little girl?” he asked.

“We’re building a city,” Ainslee explained seriously. “I builded a hospital and Simey builded a ‘canic’s shop.”

“Oh yeah?” He winked at Kaylee from over the top of their daughter’s curly dark head. “Well, I can’t see how a few minutes to finish up could hurt,” he said, setting Ainslee down. She cheered and scuttled across the floor to her twin. Simon laughed and kissed Kaylee’s head. “They’re quite the pair, aren’t they?” He whispered into her hair.

“They’re every bit our pair,” she agreed. “I love you, Simon.”

“I love you, beautiful Kaylee.” He bent down to kiss her more fully.

“Ewwwww, mooshy stuff!” Simon shielded his eyes. “Close the curtains if you’re gonna hump.”

Kaylee laughed. “Where’d you learn that word?”

Simon shrugged. “Uncle Adam.”

Kaylee laughed again and shook her head. “Okay, crew. Time’s up, let’s go lay down.”

“Is Aunt River gonna be here?” Ainslee asked.

“Not for a while, xiao. But hey, if you go straight to sleep, she’ll come in and kiss you goodnight when she and Uncle Adam get back.”

Ainslee and Simon both sighed, but started to put their toys back in the crate Mal had designated for their ever-growing collection and each took one of their parents’ hands. “Can Uncle Mal an’ Aunt Zoe come and tell us stories about the war?” Simon begged.

“No!” Ainslee said primly. “Those make me feel sad.”

“If there’s a war again, I wanna be a soldier in it,” Simon said, making a g