The Alpha's Bride

Chapter 879: The fair mixer (4)

Jane followed after Talia, away from the fair. They didn't go far, just enough for them to talk without shouting. Actually, Talia did all the talking as Jane was looking at her shoes and not saying anything.         

    

"Is this your first time at the fair?" Talia asked Jane.     

Seeing that Jane didn't respond, Talia continued, "I heard that you are not interested in going to the fair to play. Is it because you want to stay with Chef Page and help him?"     

Jane nodded faintly.     

"Ah, I understand," Talia said dramatically. "Sometimes, you want to have fun, but you must work."     

Jane raised her head to look at Talia quizzically.     

Talia puffed her cheeks. "To be honest, I'm feeling down lately, and I don't want to have fun. If it were up to me, I would stay in my bed all day and hope no one would disturb me. But I had to come here as it didn't seem right that I relax while everyone else was working. The one who wants to have fun is Cinna."     

Jane's eyes fell on a plush toy that Talia was cradling in her arms like it was a baby.     

"You see…" Talia lowered her voice, "It's Cinna's first time at the fair, and she would like to look around, but I can't take her because I'm busy. Do you know someone who can show her around and take good care of her? She is small, and I'm afraid she might get lost. It needs to be someone responsible."     

Talia raised the toy to her ear.     

"What did you say? You think that Jane is trustworthy, and you want to go with her? But she needs to work with Chef Page."     

Talia looked at Jane and then at Cinna. "I know you like Jane, but she wants to help Chef Page at the stall. How can she take you? We need to find someone else."     

Jane's eyes widened, and Talia could see the conflict on Jane's little face.     

"Would you like to take Cinna to visit the fair? I can ask my friends to help out Chef Page so the three of you can go together. He could use a break as well. The man is standing there for hours. Can you make sure he has some fun and treats?"     

Jane blinked, and a slight movement of her head told Talia that the girl was considering it.     

Talia stroked the toy gently. "I love Cinna. She is very precious to me. However, I don't have much time to play with her. Cinna needs a good playmate. Are you willing to take her around the fair? If you promise to take good care of Cinna, I can let you have her as long as you let me visit occasionally."     

Jane's eyes widened to the point of making full circles.     

"What do you say, Jane? Do we have a deal?"     

…     

Talia leaned on Damon, and they looked at the crowd in the direction where Chef Page, Jane, and Cinna disappeared.     

"Do you think I'm meddling?" Talia asked Damon.     

"I think you are amazing," Damon said honestly. "That girl needed it, and so did Chef Page." And he got rid of that wretched toy also.     

How Damon saw this, it was a win-win-win situation with him winning the most because Keith's spirit won't linger in their bedroom anymore in the form of a small plush puppy.     

"What if it doesn't work?" Talia asked.     

"Then, you keep trying. You care about people, and your intentions are pure, and that's what counts." He looked at her deeply. "You are an amazing Luna. You make it look so easy because your kindness and care for people come naturally."     

Talia liked the praise.         

    

"Do you want to eat ramen?" Damon reminded her. "It's probably cold by now. We should order another serving."     

"Maybe later," Talia said. "I want us to see the games. Do you think that Blackie could get another sibling?"     

Guilt swelled within Damon. "Kitten, about Cinna. I know it was your first toy and…"     

"Cinna found a better home," Talia said quickly. "Jane needs Cinna more than I do. I thought that we could play some games and you could win a toy for our pup. His first toy."     

"HER first toy," Damon corrected Talia.     

Talia rolled her eyes. That was not the point. "What do you say, daddy Damon? Will you win the first toy for your child?"     

Damon sucked in a sharp breath. There it was, that word… d-a-d-d-y.     

"Of course," Damon responded after some time. "Our pup will have only the best her father can offer."     

Talia laughed, mostly because she could feel Damon's happiness and anxiety that didn't fit his image of a scary Alpha, but it fit well with a man who was excited about becoming a father.     

…     

Talia asked Damon to walk around first. She wanted to see what games were there (and prizes) before they started playing.     

There was mini golf, skeeball, Plinko, several varieties of ring toss, a huge Jenga, blind tasting where one had to guess the food that was placed into his (or her) mouth; one vendor had an aquarium where parents could catch a real goldfish for their kids, and there were sack races for couples.     

Talia paused at the game where helium balloons were arranged, and if a player popped a balloon with a dart, he won whatever was in it. Not every balloon had a prize inside.     

There was one enclosed area with arcades, pinball machines, foosball, and air-hockey tables.     

Talia peered to see Jane and Chef Page at the vintage space invaders arcade game. They played a game with two players, and Cinna was tucked into Jane's t-shirt with her head peeking below Jane's chin.     

"I told you, kitten," Damon spoke close to her ear. "You are an amazing Luna. Don't ever doubt yourself."     

Talia's heart swelled. She didn't know how things between Chef Page and Jane would progress or if they would progress at all, but the two sad and lonely souls were not so lonely anymore, and that was a good thing.     

Damon tugged Talia to move, and they continued exploring the fair.     

Talia didn't know what Luna Michelle planned for the kids, and she was pleasantly surprised to see kids gathered at the booths with face painting and temporary tattoos. There was also a place where kids would get balloons twisted to form various objects.     

Talia was in awe at the number of people gathered. Could it be more than one thousand? Probably. And the best part, everyone was in a good mood.     

On the East side of the fair, there was an open area with swings, see-saws, and bouncy houses.     

Around the kid-friendly area were benches and tables where grownups were sitting and keeping an eye on the little ones running around who were laughing and squealing in joy.     

Talia leaned on Damon and looked at the play area dreamily.     

'In no time, our kid will play here also,' Talia spoke to Damon through the mind-link.     

Damon saw two kids wrestling next to the swings, and his expression stiffened. The idea of anyone being physical with his precious baby girl was unacceptable!         

    

"Talia! I knew you would come to me!"     

A childish voice sounded above the clamor, and Damon groaned. How did he forget about this little pest?