It wasn't that Zeke didn't like Zooey, he did, a lot. But his Daddy had never even looked at his Mommy the way he looked at Zoe, and the little boy had somehow picked up on that. He was always good at being the quieter one, the more observant one. His sister was the more, take-charge, confident, loud-and-proud one, and he was okay with that. But he didn't want to see his father go away again, not ever. So if Darrin was going to make Zoe his new mommy, he had to promise him that he wasn't going to go away again, and he definitely had to choose soon. The child didn't want to get attached to Zooey, not if his Daddy didn't plan on making any move to have her stay.
His door opened to reveal his father, something he had expected to happen anyways. Of course Zooey would go to his dad, they had become closer it seemed, and he sure wasn't going to cooperate with whatever Zoe wanted him to do. Crossing his legs beneath him, he sat up and crossed his arms, watching his dad come and sit down on the side of his bed. He couldn't say he didn't expect his father to yell at him or something, what he hadn't expected was for him just to ask what was wrong. The worst part about it? Zooe said that you won't talk to her... "I-If y-you are gunna make Z-Zoe our new M-Mommy, you h-have t-to talk to her f-first..." he said slowly, literally only managing a few words at a time before he had to stop and think or calm himself down. "I-I don't w-want you or her to l-leave."
Zooey noticed how Darrin came closer to her, probably closer than he usually would have if this morning hadn't happened. And how he smiled, as if trying to assure her that everything was just fine, he would handle it. She was surprised that he didn't just put his hand on her arm and tell her not to worry about a thing. It comforted her, and at the same time made her feel a bit annoyed. She could handle herself just fine, she didn't need someone to do things for her. Though she quickly reminded herself that she had brought it to him, and he probably hadn't intended it that way. The man probably just wanted to help, it was his son and... he appeared to care for her somewhat. And though she wasn't sure whether she was just a replacement-Hannah or maybe he just liked her because she helped him and his children out, she wasn't going to question it.
Realizing that she had been outside longer than she'd meant, she turned and headed back inside. Moving over next to Zaira, she offered the girl a smile, hoping that Judith hadn't been told about her and Darrin's... well, just about her and Darrin. Unfortunately it seemed Zaira had, because as soon as she was out of earshot Judith began asking about him. Making an awkward sort of cough/choking/laugh noise, she dipped her head and attempted to hide her blush. "Um, well we definitely aren't saying youngins anymore," she joked lightly. "I do... but I don't want to just be his replacement for Hannah, and I don't know how he feels." it was a bit harsh for her to think that way, but she was just being honest. "I mean, he wouldn't even kiss me, I don't-" she looked up, putting her hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that, oh my god."