"Micah, can you read us a story tonight?" Seraphina asked at the dinner table, her eyes wide and innocent. Micah hesitated, scratching his cheek. "Um, I'm not sure-" He swallowed quickly, "what story did you have in mind?" Sometimes the older children took turns reading for the younger ones, but Micah struggled with reading and usually tried to avoid it.
"The ugly duckling!" Seraphina spoke excitedly, she had the book in her lap, a fan favorite. "Not again!" Ashera spoke loudly from his seat. "Let's read something cool like..." He trailed off, furrowing his brow. "How about Of Mice and Men?" Magnolia suggested, looking up from her plate. "Yeah!" Ashera grinned, "Just the name sounds cool!"
"I don't think that's an appropriate choice," Titan sighed, rubbing at his temples. "Of Mice and Men is too long for a bedtime story anyway." Micah looked between them, he had never read that book. The outside door opened, revealing the two missing children. Nurse rose immediately to scold them and drag Cressida off to take care of her wounds. Was that why Theron had gone after her?
"Hey, where were you?" Micah asked, glad to see Theron safe and sound. It was unusual for any of them to be late to dinner. Lunch and breakfast would have a few stragglers, but dinner was different. It had made Micah worry for Theron's safety almost immediately. "What story do you think we should read tonight Theron?" Seraphina asked, her eyes wide with anticipatory glee.
"Yeah Theron, you're a great storyteller. So what should tonight's read be?" Micah asked, attempting to dump the responsability to Theron's lap. "Did you hear there might be a bear in the woods?" Malek asked suddenly, "I heard Wolf talking to Tem! He said a bear was spotted really close to the house!" Malek's words got everyone excited.
"Now Children," Teacher piped up, smiling at their excited chatter. "What do we do when there's a bear around the house?" Her expression was kind, patient. As though in unison, almost all the children spoke in a sing-song voice, "If babies are there, beware." Seraphina giggled. If it was just a wandering bear, then they Wolf's dog would scare it away.
Micah leaned back in his chair, full. He stretched his arms above his head, remembering Watcher's words. He would need to keep an eye out tonight, make sure none of the children left the house. Micah never minded lending a hand to the angels, as long as it wasn't reading of course. All of the children helped out in their own way, even the smallest of them.