Elias Hawthorne saw his grandmother looking all puffed up with anger and said, "Just relax, Granny. Spend more time playing with the kids instead of getting upset."
"As if I need you to tell me that? Go, go, go, get out of my sight now."
Elias felt particularly helpless towards Old Mrs. Hawthorne, who would start kicking people out at the drop of a hat, and he headed to the garden.
As soon as he walked in, he heard bursts of crisp laughter, making the atmosphere particularly lively.
This kind of liveliness was not there before; it was brought by Raina and the kids.
Shea was swinging on the swing, commanding Baby Hawthorne and Casper North to push her higher and higher each time.
Casper was a bit annoyed, "Shea North, have you had enough? When are you getting down?"
Baby Hawthorne glanced at Casper, looking at him with disbelief, "Brother Casper, are you trying to snatch my sister’s swing?"
Casper was exasperated, "When did I ever say I wanted to snatch the swing?"
"Then why are you asking my sister to get down? Can’t you see she’s having a great time?"
"But I also want to have some fun. Hey, no, Baby Hawthorne, I’ve noticed you’re such a sycophant, always calling her ’sister’ this and ’sister’ that. Don’t you have any backbone?"
Baby Hawthorne, completely indifferent, smirked, "What’s the point of having backbone? Can you eat it? Since you can’t, might as well make my sister happy."
Baby Hawthorne would never admit that ever since Shea appeared, he’s felt a huge sense of crisis, knowing a trio is the most stable yet easiest to break apart relationship.
Given Shea and Casper are twin siblings, if they team up, what room is there for him and Raina?
So, he absolutely had to cling tightly to Shea’s support.
As for the rest, just let fate decide.
Shea shouted, "Put some oomph into it, push harder!"
"Got it!" Baby Hawthorne responded and gave a big push.
Shea giggled, her laughter crisp and bright, when she suddenly saw Elias walk in, her eyes lit up immediately, and she shouted, "Prince Charming! Catch me!"
As she spoke, she let go of the swing with both her hands,
Elias heard the shout, looked up, and saw Shea flying towards him through the air.
Without time to think, he took two quick steps forward and caught Shea, spinning half a turn to dissipate the impact.
Looking down at the little girl in his arms, Elias couldn’t help but scold, "You’re quite bold, daring to let go! Do you know how dangerous that was!" Read complete version only at noᴠelfire.net
Shea blinked her eyes, "I know, but I was sure you would catch me."
"What if you hadn’t been caught? Do you know you’d have broken your neck falling to the ground?" Elias continued to chide her with a stern face.
Shea looked up at him, her expression blank.
Seeing this, Elias couldn’t help but worry whether he had scared the little girl too much. After all, at her young age, she didn’t understand the severity of things.
He didn’t want her to burst into tears because of him.
Just as he was about to soften his tone and comfort her a bit, he saw the little girl lick her lips, murmuring, "Prince Charming is truly charming, even when he’s angry. What to do? I’m so mesmerized that my legs are turning to jelly."
"..." Elias’ handsome face darkened further.
Just look at this, what’s this talk? Are these the outrageous words a little girl her age should be saying?
Elias thought he couldn’t let this go on any longer.
Since this little girl was Raina North’s child, she ought to call him ’Daddy’; letting this continue would surely lead to big trouble.
But just as he was about to speak, Shea’s small, soft hands suddenly cupped his cheeks, and she leaned in for a peck.