"So, uh, bye, I guess, and nice to meet you."

"Likewise. See you when I see you."

"Yeah, see you." And he hangs up.

"That didn't sound so bad."

"No, it wasn't. He just wanted to check up on me, I guess. And I'm really pleased about how everyone in this family approves of me."

"Well, I'm very responsible, you see. They trust my judgment."

"Yep, with good reason!"

Giggle.

Grin.

Later that day, Renée receives an email from Tobias, asking after Charlie's health and musing about another dinner together or something.

Renée replies that it turns out not to have been serious; and that alas the Swans will not be able to make it to any such dinner.

Oh well. That's a shame. He hopes they're all well, and that they'll enjoy Easter with the peace of the Lord.

Renée doesn't answer that one because after the chocolate eggs she is planning on attending a spring equinox ritual with her neopagan friends and she doesn't want to start a correspondence here.

I do hope you'll be well-behaved while with your dom's family. We'll be expecting you home for summer break, and you'll tell us all about your time.

Love,
Dad

So many cuddles.

"This is promising, though. He's not—immediately pulling me out of school."

"Yeah. Small mercy."

"I do know what he means by 'well-behaved,' though. It was always a threat."

"Renée can vouch that you were a perfect angel if she has to...?"

"An angel of the submissive female persuasion."

"One of those, sure."

Sigh. "Well. All in all, one of the better possible outcomes."

Isabella squeezes him. "I'm so sorry you have to live with this, pet. I wish I could do something about it."

"At the risk of sounding cheesy, you are."

"Something more substantive than existing."