Cleaning Out

Keira and JJ watched Jimi run across to the bathroom. "Is daddy okay?" JJ asked Keira.
"I think so JJ, Jimi are you alright?" Keira asked standing outside the door. She heard a knock at the office door so she walked over still holding JJ and opened the door. "Yes?"

"Yeah I'm fine." Jimi called out hoarsely. "Give me a sec." He ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

Keira waited for Professor Potter to say something but she didn't.

"May I see Mr. Kanst?" Elizabeth asked, "Hello JJ" She said as she saw Jimi and Alice son.

Keira walked over to the bathroom door and knocked. "Jimi? Liz wants to see you."
JJ smiled up at Keira and wrapped his little arms around her neck. "Your pretty Keira, can i play with Kenya?
Keira smiled. "Sure, whenever you want. Just tell daddy to tell me and i'll bring her to play with you."

Great. Exactly what he needed, more people. Jimi opened the door and brushed away stinging tears. "What is it Liz?"

"Alice was a great person and a good friend too. I definitely miss her as a professor, Jimi." Elizabeth said, "You can take some time off work, take as long as you need." she offered him.

"It's fine. I'd much rather be working. Anything to get my mind off of it." Jimi said coldly. "She meant the world to me but right now, JJ's depending on me."

"JJ is depending his father to be good father to him." Elizabeth said, "Take a break from work for one week, that is a order."

"And do what? Spend another week torturing myself over the death of my wife?" Jimi clenched his jaw.

"Jimi Kanst" Elizabeth said, "Spend time with your son, you are too in mourning to work right now. I can't let you work while still angry right now." She looks at him, "There are other things to be taken care of." she looks at JJ, "For example, unlike your son JJ. He can bring you back"

JJ started crying and held onto Keira.
Keira felt awkward and pat JJ's back. "Shh...it's okay."

"Not in front of my son please." Jimi glared and walked over to Keira. "JJ, I'm sorry. You know I love you buddy."

Keira tried handing JJ back to Jimi but JJ held on tightly. She stood there not knowing what to do.

Jimi smiled softly. "It's okay, I think he likes you. JJ can you at least say something?"
His son shook his head firmly. Jimi sighed. "You mind trying to talk to him and figure out what's wrong?"

Keira sat down on the desk but first made sure her skirt wasn't showing anything. She hated the fact that it was a little short. "JJ can you please talk?" she asked quietly.
JJ shook his head and buried his head in her neck.
"Well why not? We just want to know whats wrong." She said softly and rubbed his back.
JJ sighed and and looked at the pictures of Keira's family. "I want a mommy." he whispered in her ear.
Keira didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry JJ."

Jimi caught a glance before Keira fixed his skirt. Even that reminded him of Alice. He tore his gaze away and looked down at the ground. It was so perfect the way she held him. His son deserved better.

Keira looked down at JJ and thought of a way to cheer him up. "Do you want to meet Kenya later today? If it's okay with your daddy?"

JJ immediately looked up enthusiastically. "Really? Please daddy?"
Jimi grinned at Keira and JJ. "Of course you can buddy."

Keira smiled. "I'm meeting my brother to get her in five minutes if you want to come or I can meet you somewhere with her if you want. Either way is good for me."

"We can go with you." Jimi nodded. "I'm sure JJ's eager to tag along."

Keira smiled and looked at JJ. "Want to go and see Kenya?"
JJ smiled and nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah!"

"I guess that's a yes." Jimi chuckled. "All right then, you're going to have to let go of Keira then."

JJ shook his head no. "I don't want to though daddy."
Keira laughed and tickled his sides but he didn't let go, just laughed and held on tighter.

Jimi shrugged, he couldn't think of any ways to get JJ off. "Okay then buddy. You just stay with Keira then. Looks like I'm not getting your stubborn head anywhere."

JJ smiled and Keira. "But she's a pretty lady daddy, she shouldn't be alone."
Keira laughed. "I can carry him, we're only going to hogsmeade."

"Yes she is, but you're a heavy kid." Jimi said in defeat. "Okay then. Looks like he gets his way again."

Keira laughed and smiled and JJ. "How about you hold my hand then? Does that sound fair?"
JJ thought for a moment. "Fine, as long as you don't let go." he said and got down.
Keira stuck out her pinky. "Promise." and entwined their pinkies for a second then took a hold of his his. "Ready?" she asked Jimi smiling.

"Happy then?" Jimi ruffled JJ's hair. "You're too cute to stay mad at." He returned Keira's smile and took JJ's other hand. "Show us the way then."

(I'll post a new topic in Hogsmeade)

Keira smiled and walked out of the office with them.