“No! I’m not done with them…” Audrey raised her spoon defiantly at John’s impudent grin before realizing that he was teasing her. She pouted. “Bad Uncle John! Leave me alone!”
John made a slight grimace and pretended to dab his tears with a napkin. “Goodness, she’s going to grow up to be a heartbreaker and snub me, her dear uncle. I’m so sad. I don’t want to be here anymore. I’ll move away tomorrow.”
The kids stared at him in horror, sharing the same sentiment that breakfast had taken an abrupt detour, while the adults watched as John put on an engaging performance.
When Audrey seemed unimpressed, he pumped out more tears and sniffled noisily, almost sobbing at that point.
Only then did Audrey soften a little. A moment later, she hesitated for a while before taking her candy-shaped Lego and offering it to him. “I’m sorry, Uncle John. Please don’t cry. I still love you the most. Good kids are brave and shouldn’t cry.”
Her little hand reached out to pat his head, just like how we would comfort a crying child.
John lowered his head a little to accommodate her, and Audrey cradled his head with both hands, kneading his ears. “Okay, I’ll give you a hug. Stop crying.”
Her expression was solemn, unaware that John had flashed a cheeky smile at us.
Ashton, who had remained silent the entire time, couldn’t watch it anymore and cleared his throat, hinting that John should quit while he was ahead.
That was Ashton’s way of protest because his daughter had never coaxed him this way before.
However, John continued, enjoying her babying.
Then, a roar resounded, “John Stovall! Who are you putting a show for? I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’m not giving you a daughter!”
Everyone flinched at the loud voice, and John immediately straightened in his chair, his expression tinged with panic. “Uh oh, this isn’t good.”
Emma stood beside the handrail with a glare and stomped up the stairs, disappearing in a flash.
“Is Emma in a bad mood nowadays?” I asked.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: In Love, Never Say Never (Ashton Fuller and Scarlett Stovall)