Six months apart (7)
After dinner, another familiar moment comes to be.
Ah, thankfully, I've finished the most pressing tasks for today. I won't be able to return to work until tomorrow morning. And I'll have the morning only to work, for Alexander and I have plans.
«It's time to open the presents!» Alexander comments. «I've brought you a few things from my journey.»
Oh, is that so? I guess he'll shower Lavinia with useless toys she won't have any interest in after a couple of days. Ah, but it's not like we lack space here.
Alexander walks to the door and opens it for the lackeys that bring a few boxes inside.
One of them is big and open on top to let air flow in. Inside, a huge puppy is sitting and watching its surroundings, wary yet not nervous.
Its red fur, thick and long, seems soft enough to be played with. The ears are so short that they disappear under it, making its head look round like a ball.
Its black eyes stare at us with wonder, waiting for a sign of affection or threat.
«What is this?» I inquire, trying to find out whom the present is for.
I've never wanted a dog. I'm quite content with the horses in the stables as pets. Yet, now that I see it...
«This lad here is a Caucasian Shepherd. It'll grow big and protect our daughter from unwanted attention!»
Ah, figures.
«How long do you think he'll live to protect her from suitors?»
«One is never too careful.»
Lavinia grabs the edge of the wooden box with her fingers, and she stands on tiptoe to check the dog herself. She finds it cute, judging from how she curls her lips.
Her shining eyes turn to Alexander and me, and she chuckles.
«Vinnie can keep it?»
«Yes, of course. I brought it here for you.»
She swirls on her legs, dancing happily.
«Is Vinnie happy with the present?» Alexander inquires.
I clear my throat, and both of them turn to me.
«How big is that thing going to be?»
«Not too much,» Alexander murmurs.
«How big is his mother? You must have seen it, right?»
«Yes, of course.»
«And?»
Alexander uses his hand to show me the height. Around the end of his thigh. And that's a female individual. What about males? They tend to be bigger.
«Where are we going to keep such a thing?» I whisper, displeased that this cute thing will one day become a bear.
«We don't lack space.»
Indeed.
«Also, they grow in cold places. So, this one won't feel bad here in Kyre! We don't need to keep it inside for the whole time: the fur will protect it from the cold.»
I observe Alexander's convinced expression, listening to his argumentations. I didn't say anything about not keeping it.
I just expressed my concern. This big animal, next to our daughter?
«Since it's a puppy, it'll grow attached to Vinnie, and they'll grow up together.»
Indeed, our daughter needs a companion until we have another child and they grow up.
«Mother, I like this dog very, very much!» she adds.
Her shining eyes are not very resistible. And Alexander is using the same tricks.
Even if I wanted to get rid of the puppy, I wouldn't find enough firm will to fight against both of them.
«I never said anything about not keeping it,» I point out. «Just... I won't think about it; I already am busy enough. It'll be your responsibility alone.»
Alexander and Lavinia scream with joy, running to the puppy and taking it out. They feed and pet it while the animal sniffs their hands and starts memorising their scents.
I have to admit that having a bear on the side would look so cool. But big animals are also dangerous.
Alexander knows it: he's not a child. He must have already organised for a trainer to come and teach the dog.
«It's not all,» Alexander says, then.
He should have kept the dog for last.
Now everything else will look lame.
He opens a pink box and shows Lavinia a couple of dolls. She analyses them and nods, satisfied. She'll treasure them forever as a present from her daddy.
«As for my wife, I have a few things I'll show you later. For now, you should take a look at this.»
Two lackeys lean a big wooden box in front of me, and Alexander opens it with a smug expression.
Inside, there are countless brown... balls? Fruits?
I don't know.
They're hairy... No, rather than hair, it looks like some kind of weed? I take one in my hand and find it's not too heavy.
When I move it, the water inside squashes against the outer shell. I shake it and listen to the water responding to the movements.
What is this?
«My dear,» Alexander exclaims. «I finally found coconuts.»
Oh, so this is it.
I thought they were way, way smaller. This is bigger than my own hand.
A servant opens one, and he pours the water in a few glasses.
«The milk can be drunk,» Alexander explains while offering a glass to me and another one, filled to half, to Lavinia.
«It's sweet,» I notice with a frown. I wasn't expecting it.
However, it does have a coconut taste. Very, very light.
The inner part of the shell is white, and Alexander cuts a few pieces for Lavinia and me to chew.
Oh, this is the part used for cookies! But it's dried, I guess.
Lavinia frowns, not liking the consistency of the nut. She moans in a complaint, and Alexander offers his hand for her to spit the coconut.
Nothing can stop this man of mine when he wants to take care of someone. He's just like an old nanny, sometimes.
«I guess it's better in cookies,» Alexander sighs. «Dried is much tastier, isn't it?»
«I quite like it, actually,» I say. It has a nice consistency, and it's not excessively sweet. Not as much as the milk.