After dinner, Dawn rose to clear the dishes, and Jamal rose as well.
"I will do the dishes," he offered.
"I got it. You look exhausted. You should go get some rest," Dawn said softly.
"I will do it," Jamal insisted.
"You can do it together," Josh piped up.
Dawn smiled at Josh. "That's a brilliant idea. It's faster that way."
Without a word, Jamal took some of the dishes to the kitchen, and Dawn followed with the others.
Josh sat on the island in the kitchen, watching them as they worked.
While Jamal washed the dishes, Dawn rinsed and dried them. They both worked in silence.
"Daddy?" Josh called after a moment.
"Yes, buddy?"
"When are you going to marry my mummy like Uncle Stefan and Aunt Genny?"
Jamal turned to look at Josh, wondering if he was in some sort of league with Dawn.
Dawn turned to look at Josh as well. "Why are you asking, baby?"
"We will always live together this way, right?" Josh asked, and this time Dawn looked at Jamal before responding.
