She always made time to play with him.

Annis walked over and gently rubbed Joe's head. "I don't live here," she said softly.

"Then where do you live?" Joe looked up, his curiosity piqued.

“I stay with my dad, just like you're living with your parents,"

Annis explained.

Joe blinked in understanding and nodded. "Okay."

"From now on, I'll have more time to hang out with you," Annis continued, giving Joe's hair another gentle tousle. "You know that, right?"

Joe nodded again, simply saying, “Okay.”

Deep down, he wasn't sure if Annis really meant that she'd play with him every day.

When it was time for Annis to leave, she noticed Alick engaged in conversation with Forrest and Isaac. Choosing not to interrupt, she lifted Joe up instead, spinning him around playfully. “Have you gained weight?" she joked, struggling slightly with his weight.

Joe glanced down at himself. "I'm not getting fat," he protested.

Annis stopped and looked him over, measuring him up. "Then you must be getting taller," she concluded with a smile.

Indeed, Joe appeared taller than many kids his age, a testament to the care Rowena and Glenda had given him. They made sure he was always well-fed.

Pointing towards Isaac in the distance, Joe's eyes sparkled with ambition. "I want to be taller than him one day."

Looking in the direction he pointed, Annis smiled and said, "You are your father's son. Perhaps you'll even surpass his height someday."

Joe burst into laughter, hopeful that he would indeed grow very tall.

Annis suggested, “Let's save our chat for dinner. They've been flying for so long, and they need some rest."

Alick gave Forrest's shoulder a gentle pat and said, "Catch you later, then. Congratulations on your new daughter."

Forrest responded, “Thanks, and congrats to you too. You've got a beautiful wife and now you're related to Isaac."

Alick found himself at a loss for words.