"I can tell." Mai leaned against the doorframe. "Grace is back, she was going to go put her stuff down and then probably try to make me watch a movie or something. Figured you should have some advance warning before your daughter completely takes over the house." She grinned.

"I have no problems letting her take over the house," Jefferson replied with a grin. "I just wish I could have given her this before."

"You get to give it to her now, that's what's important," Mai said, watching him. "And she loves spending time here."

"Good," Jefferson said. "I want her to be comfortable here." He touched the hat one last time before heading towards the door to the hall. "Where is she, in her room?"

"Yeah, went to put her things down, probably wanted to change into something more comfortable." Mai shrugged. "I can shove off, if you want time with her."

"You don't have to," Jefferson replied with a bit of a shrug. "I don't mind you staying, and Grace likes it when you're around."

Mai nodded at that. "You're going to get sick of me eventually," she said with a grin that was partly teasing and partly self-depreciating. "But I'll stick around for a bit, make sure the kid's settled in and all that."

"I haven't gotten sick of you yet," Jefferson pointed out with a bit of a grin. "Come on, we should go and see what Grace thinks she wants for a snack."

Mai grinned a bit and moved out of the way. But she didn't get far, because Grace bounced back down the stairs, dressed in comfortable clothes and grinning. And somehow she got Mai herded into the living room for snack time, which Mai still found amusing.

Jefferson just followed, grinning and content. Yes, this was how life was supposed to be. As long as he was able to look after Grace properly, he didn't even care that this world had no magic. He had no need to sell his skills as a portal jumper if he already had the means to take care of Grace.

Mai ended up staying longer than she'd intended, long enough that Grace glanced at a clock and grinned.

"I think it's just about dinner time," she said, looking at Jefferson. "Can Mai stay, Papa?"

Mai blinked. "That's fine, I should have left an hour or two ago anyway," she said, standing.

"It's fine with me," Jefferson replied, glancing at Mai. "I don't mind."

Mai stopped and then chuckled.

"Alright," she agreed. "Long as neither of you mind, I can stay." Truth be told, she liked the company. Things were quieter now that she wasn't getting to see Grace as much.

"You're more than welcome to stay," Jefferson said, nodding. To be honest, he was getting used to Mai being around.

Mai settled in with them for dinner, mellowing out after the sun went down. After they were done eating, though, she finally had to head home.

"I'll see you Monday, kiddo," she said, ruffling Grace's hair playfully. Grace pouted and hugged her but didn't ask her to stay. This time.

"You're welcome to drop in any time, you know," Jefferson said as he walked Mai to the door.

"Thank you, I will keep that in mind." Mai smiled a little at him. "I'm sure I'll see you again soon, and I know Grace knows my number if you need any help, or anything."

Jefferson nodded.

"Then we'll see you in a few days," he said. "Take care."

"You too." Mai smiled a bit and left, heading home.

On Sunday, though, she got a call from the other family. They had their own child that they'd found again finally, and they wanted to know if Mai would mind helping them with both children, not just Grace. Feeling uneasy about how things were going to end up, Mai tentatively agreed. This was going to be interesting.

Jefferson noticed that Mai seemed a bit uneasy when she came to pick up Grace on Monday morning.

"Everything alright?" he asked as Grace went to put on her shoes and coat.

"Yeah," Mai said, shooting him a quick smile. "Just going to keep an eye on things, is all. Some things might be changing with the other family, dunno yet."

"I see." That sounded a bit worrisome, but Jefferson didn't press for details yet. "Well, let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

"I will, don't worry." Mai smiled a bit. "There you are, kid," she said when she saw Grace. "Come on, let's go, you're going to be late for school."

"Have fun," Jefferson said to Grace, giving her one more hug. "I'll see you in a few days. Be good."

"See you soon, Papa." Grace returned the hug before she headed off with Mai. Mai glanced back at him one last time before she kept walking. She'd keep him updated on what was going on.