The next day, I catch Gramps in the hallway while I'm headed down to go check the Collection. Although we're required to do a major annual inventory, I've decided that with such a priceless archive of artifacts, a treasure trove for the ages, we need a quarterly inventory. Daji is still feeling sluggish, so Dr. Pius wants her to rest today as well. Tina and Athena will help with the collection.
"How is Daji?" Gramps asks, with sympathy.
I sigh. "Well, you've been through it with Gram, you know ..."
"Every pregnancy is different, son, even among humans," he says wisely. "Good on you for putting your family first yesterday."
I dare to challenge him. "I thought our family and the inn were one. It's hard to separate the two sometimes."
"When did you get so smart?" His eyes, so much like Dad's and mine, sparkle. "But, son, the inn can't function without our family--which means it has to be healthy."
"You just proved my point. They're intertwined," I respond.
