He choked on the wine he was taking, his wide eyes staring between the two of us-no doubt planning on staying out of our everyday bickering until one of us-usually I, pulls him into it. “Uhm…what?” He moved his gaze from me, nervously to his wife who gave him a look that dared him to side with me.
“I still look better than you do.” She rebuked, unwilling to back down. Like always. She pressed her lips, and moved her gaze from her husband to me, her eyes narrowed in slits. “And stop bringing my husband into this!”
I hummed this time around, “Well, let’s ask little Allie then.” I turned my head in the direction of the now four-year-old in my arms. “Allie, who’s more beautiful, Uncle Chris,” I offered her a wide smile, before making a face as I stated her other option. “…or mommy?”
Allie stared at me, then shifted her gaze to her mother that was staring at her with wide eyes, as if knowing what would the little girl’s response would be. Allie then grinned sheepishly, her gaze meeting mine. “Uncle Chris is…like Prince.”
I chuckled, darting my tongue out at Grace who rolled her eyes, hissing lightly under her breath, muttering something under the lines of, “He has brainwashed my kid, she loves him more than she loves me,” Before sulking to her husband, whom like the good husband he is, pulled her into his arms and muttered soothing words to her.
Mom took that as her sign to step in. “You two should cut it out.” She stated. “Don’t you get tired of bickering always? You’re not kids anymore.”
“He is the one acting like a kid.” Grace pointed a finger at me, pouting. She the slanted her gaze in the direction of our father. “Dad, can’t you see, Christian is bullying me.” She complained, being daddy’s princess as always.
Our father gave me a pointed look, “Christian, stop bullying my daughter.” And like always, he would take her side. “And stop turning her kid against her.”
But, mom has my side always as well. So, she was quick to swat him. “Don’t rebuke my son. They’re both kids.” The old man zipped his lips shut, knowing not to say anything against her because she’ll never let him win, she has never. She then shifted her attention back on me, her hands urging me forward. “Come, my baby, settle down.”
I offered her a small smile, my mood dampening slightly the moment my father joined the conversation-I’m sure mom knew it as well, which was another reason she jumped in before the air could become tense and awkward.
I found the couch beside Grace and Louis, then settled on it, with little Allie on my lap. Once seated, I handed the small box over to the little kid intent on playing with my neck tie. “Happy 4th birthday, my Allie.” I handed the pretty pink box over to her.
Allie’s eyes lit up almost instantly, her small hands letting of my tie and then reaching out to collect the box. “Thank you, Uncle Chris.” She uttered in her cute, kid voice, her face breaking into a small grin. Her hands instantly worked on tearing the paper that was used to wrap the box.
Everyone’s attention shifted to the see what gift the little girl would get. “What did Uncle Chris get you, Allie?” Grace asked, a smile now gracing her features, no doubt from seeing the happiness radiating off her daughter.
Just then, one of the workers of the house came with a tray, on which is about three glasses of different drinks on it. He came to stand beside me. “Wine, whiskey, or virgin mojito, Mr. Kingston?”
“I’ll take the mojito, thank you.” I extended my hand out, taking the drink off the tray before the worker turned off and exited-the others already having the drinks of their choice. Bringing it to my lips, I took a sip from it and watched as Allie completely unwrapped her gift, lifting the cover of the small box to reveal her gift.
Her lips slanted into a cute little frown, as she picked up the key, her brows knitting together. “What is this, Uncle Chris?” She inquired, her confusion palpable.
I smiled. “Your car keys.” I used my other hand to pat down her hair that was pulled into two high ponytails. “You said you wanted a car, right?” I asked her a few days ago during our video calls, what she would want for her birthday, and she excitedly said a car.
What kind of Uncle would I be if I don’t get my niece what she wants for her birthday? This is what I live to do, spoil the little kid. She’s my niece for crying out loud.
Grace’s eyes were wide as saucers, her mouth falling apart. “A toy car you weirdo,” She scream-yelled, “She wanted a toy car!” She stared at me with eyes that screamed this is one of the craziest things I’ve done thus far. It isn’t.
I shrugged. “Why get a toy car when she can get a real car? I asked genuinely, my lips slanting upwards into an amused smile, the face Grace is pulling enough to make my whole day. I love seeing that look on her face. Believe, there’s something about annoying your little sister. The joy you derive from it is immeasurable. “Now, she has a Porsche to her name.”
“Who gives a four-year-old a Porsche as a gift?!” Grace was nearly about to scream at the top of her lungs now. “You’ll spoil my daughter, Christian.”
I took another sip of my drink, before responding. “I do.” Christian Kingston does, that’s who. “And if I spoil her, so what? She’s my niece, who else would I spoil?”
Grace shook her head, whispering something under the lines of I’m a hopeless case under her breath, as she sink into her husband’s arms who could only chuckle, no doubt amused by our interactions as always. Though, I could tell he’s still surprised by my action as well, but he isn’t being a drama Queen like his wife is.
Allie’s excited scream came, though I doubt she fully understands the whole situation. “I have a car!” She jumped, her arms going around me again. “Thank you, Uncle Chrissy.”
“You are welcome, my Allie.” I chose to not say a word about how Chris turned to Chrissy. For her, I would accept being called anything-but only she’s the exception.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.