A couple of weeks after the garden had been planted Dee was enjoying it with Chu Hua and the children. It was a warm, sunny day with a light breeze. The scent of a thousand flowers softly perfumed the air around them. Bees hummed as they busily gathered pollen.

The two women chattered in Chinese, switching back to English on occasion. Jun, Chu Hua’s son, toddled after the tigers, squealing in delight when one allowed the little boy to get close enough to take hold of and tug on its tail. The tigers were merely trying to enjoy the sun; yet while they acted annoyed at the babbling child, Dee knew that they were really quite pleased to allow him to clamber around on them.

“They’re very good with Jun. Very relaxed,” Chu commented.

“Because they’ve wanted cubs around for so long. It’s great when I need a quick moment to myself, or I’m making dinner.” Dee smiled and shrugged. “You have your staff, I have my tigers.”

Chu Hua laughed. “But they can’t change a diaper.”

“No, I haven’t trained them to do that yet.” She held up a finger. “I have, however, trained Eddie to do that.”

“Oh?”

Dee nodded, putting her hand to her forehead dramatically, and then lying back on the grass. “’Eddie, I’m so tired. Could you please look after Edward for a little while?’ ‘Sure, Kitten.’” Dee made a kissing noise. “’By the way, I think he needs changing,’” she added, batting her lashes before laughing.

“I think I almost feel sorry for him!” giggled Chu Hua.

The two looked at each other, smiling mischievously. “Almost!” they laughed together, hugging one another.

Jun chose that moment to decide he was hungry. Gathering the children, the two went inside to eat. Once settled, Yin Tao and Jun tossed bits of food around the kitchen. The tigers made quick work of any tidbits they could grab. Edward was content to snuggle against his mother’s breast for his lunch. Chu Hua had brought over food that had been prepared by Li Mei and Chu’s family. Both gratefully ate the meal the women had provided especially for them.

“That gluttonous husband of mine almost got this,” Chu said, setting a cream bun in front of Dee.

“I’ll bet he still shoves them into his mouth all at once.”

“No! His mouth is big. He can fit two in at once!”

Dee couldn’t help but laugh at that, remembering how her friend had been when growing up.

“Mother wants you to come to dinner next week. Grandmother and her want to make a special meal. Women only. Li Mei will be there as well.”

Pursing her lips thoughtfully, Dee stroked the shiny top of the bun. Looking up at her friend, she asked softly, “Chu, would you be willing to tell a small lie for me?”

Chu Hua raised an eyebrow. “That depends on the lie, Xiaohu. You have something planned, I can tell. Manchu gets that same look when he is up to no good.”

“Now that depends on your idea of a bad thing. But I think it will make Eddie very happy.”

Once more Chu Hua’s eyebrows went up, accompanied by a grin. “Oh?”

“He wants something, I know he does. I also know that he won’t admit to wanting it.”

“Is this an object, or you?” asked Chu Hua. Anyone who had spent a significant amount of time with one or both knew the two missed physical intimacy with one another. The looks of longing they gave each other when they thought the other wasn’t looking were proof enough.

Blushing profusely, Dee said, “He doesn’t know I’m ready now. Chu, I want to make this a special night.”

Chu sighed. “Tell me what you have brewing in that mind of yours, and I’ll see if I can help you with it.”

~ ~ ~

A flash of light woke Eddie. He opened his eyes groggily, looking around to see Dee walking toward him, a camera dangling from her hand. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she put a finger to her lips.

“Look at my two boys napping together,” she smiled, running a finger down Eddie’s face, over his lips, and then lifting her hand to stroke the baby’s head as he continued to sleep on his father’s chest.

“Are you going now?” he asked, keeping his voice low.

She nodded, fingering his hair. “I’ll be back in a few hours. There’s a chicken pot pie in the oven for you, and plenty of milk for him. I just put more in the fridge a half hour ago. Manchu’s number is next to the phone, along with the number of the Fu Bakery, and Chu’s parents. I have my comm unit as well.”

“I’m all set then, aren’t I?”

Her smile turned to a frown as she looked at the baby. Eddie put a hand on her back, rubbing in soothing circles.

“Go already. We’ll be fine. It’s just one evening, and you could use the time away from all the testosterone,” he finished with a grin.

The look on her face became worried, on the verge of panic. “Don’t go anywhere tonight, ok? I want you to be here when I get back.”

“And you’ll be calling to check up on us, I’m certain.”

“Someone has to make certain you stay out of trouble,” she teased, kissing the tip of his nose.

He pulled her back for a long kiss. “Now go. Go or I’ll be forced to make you stay!”

Picking up her jacket, she looked the pair over again, brows knitting once more with worry. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Go!” he laughed, pointing at the door. If not for the baby still asleep on his chest, he would be pushing her out the door.

With an impish turn, Dee ducked out the door. The fact that she was going out for the night pleased him. She hadn’t gone anywhere alone for more than a half hour since having the baby. As it was, he was also pleased that he would get some time alone. Being around her so much, he was finding it more and more difficult to control the urges his brain pushed at him.

On his chest the baby started to stretch and whimper; a sign that he was waking and hungry. In response, Eddie’s stomach growled.

“Well, kid, how about dinner? Just us guys?”

Little Edward started to cry in earnest.

“I wish she had stayed too,” he confided, slowly getting up.

Wrapping his son in a blanket, he headed for the kitchen. From the tiger room the crunch of bone came, letting him know that Dee had not neglected to feed all of her boys. Checking the pot pie, he then warmed a bottle, settling in a chair to feed Edward while his meal finished baking.

“We have a fine vintage for you tonight, sir. It’s from Chateau Mama, and was freshly pumped a mere hour ago.”

Edward squalled in reply, causing his father to wince. Quickly Eddie placed the bottle into the baby’s mouth.

“I see you’re the type that prefers to be spared the history of your drink. Your mother is the same way. As long as it tastes fine…” He trailed off with a sigh.

After Edward finished his bottle, he nestled against his father’s chest to sleep to the soothing sound of his heartbeat. While the baby slept, Eddie quickly ate his own dinner realizing now how alone he felt without Dee to converse with. Even one of her tirades on the plight of the tiger would be welcome. Instead, he moved the bassinette from the bedroom to the living room, turning the History Channel on. Like an old man, he was soon fast asleep in front of the TV.

~ ~ ~

{Dinner was wonderful, Mother Fu,} Dee said, standing to help clear the plates.

{Thank you, Xiaohu. But please sit down! I did not invite you and my daughter to dinner with the intention of letting you do dishes!}

{Yes. That’s why she invited my brother over!} laughed Chu Hua, even as her brother came in to collect the dishes.

{Father was right. A gathering of women sounds exactly like a flock of hens.}

Dee smiled. That was something Eddie would say. Just the thought of him made her sigh in longing.

{She has been doing that all through dinner! Are you certain she’s alright, Chu Hua?} Mother Fu as she watched Dee staring sadly into her teacup.

{She suffers from love, Mother. It has been almost three months since she had the baby, and precious little time has been spent with Edward.}

Mother Fu nodded, gesturing for Chu Hua’s brother to bring in dessert. {Xiaohu, if I remember correctly, these are your favorites,} she said, presenting a plate of custard and cream buns. {I made these for you.}

{Oh, Mother Fu! They’re beautiful! Thank you!} exclaimed Dee, taking one of each from the plate.

{Xiaohu, I know you can eat more than one. When it comes to these, I know you can almost beat my greedy son-in-law. Don’t be shy, dear. We’ve all seen you eat,} she teased with a wink.

Blushing, Dee helped herself to three more. They were, after all, much smaller than the ones normally sold in the bakery. A burst of fresh coconut cream rewarded her tastebuds as she bit into the first.

{Oh!} she cried in delight. {You even made them coconut cream flavored!}

Mother Fu beamed proudly, but waved off the continued flood of praise. It only escalated when Dee tried the custard bun and found it filled with a tangy, yet delicate pineapple custard. The women cleared the plate in record time, washing dessert down with a pot of tea.

{You look tired, Xiaohu. Why don’t you take a nap before you head home?} offered Mother Fu. {We all remember how little sleep you get the first few months.}

{Come, I’ll show you to my old room,} Chu Hua said, taking her friend’s hand. {You can have a nap without worrying if someone is going to wake you up.}

{But not for too long. I don’t want…}

Chu Hua’s grandmother who had remained silent for most of the evening spoke up. {Edward is a big boy. He will be fine a few hours without out you. And so will that man of yours,} she teased with a sly smile.

All of the women laughed, and Dee finally let herself be led away to the small room. Chu Hua stayed with Dee for a short time before tiptoeing out to sit with her mother and grandmother to chat about the children.
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