Clara groggily crawled out of bed, her eyes barely open, muttering, "So early? I haven't had nearly enough sleep."
Casey stroked his daughter's hair affectionately and said with a chuckle, "Well, it's almost nine o'clock, darling. The wedding party will be here soon, and you've still got to have breakfast and get your makeup done. Time's gonna be tight."
Still half-asleep, Clara stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom. When she emerged, she spotted a fluffy little head peering in through the doorway.
Orin was all dressed up in a crisp little white suit with a black bow tie, his curly locks styled to perfection.
His eyes were wide with curiosity. He scampered around the room until he caught sight of Clara coming out of the bathroom. Immediately, he toddled over, craning his neck to look up at her. "Clara, aren't I looking sharp today?"
Clara crouched down to his level, eyeing him up and down, and nodded with a smile, "Orin, you're definitely the most handsome little man today."
"Who's more handsome, me or Uncle Ian?"
"Obviously, you! Uncle Ian's getting on in years, nowhere near as adorable as you." Clara playfully pinched Orin's chubby cheeks.
The little guy gazed up with serious eyes and declared, "Then you should marry me, Clara. I'm more handsome than Uncle Ian, and I'll always save you the last slice of pie. And when the new baby comes, I'll help take care of him too."
Clara couldn't help but burst into laughter. She planted a smacking kiss on his forehead and giggled. "Sweetheart, you're just too cute. When you grow up, you're going to find a girl even prettier than me to be your wife, okay?"
Orin blinked his large eyes a few times and whispered, "Pretty like Della? Clara, I've got a secret, and you can't tell anyone, okay?"
He leaned in close to Clara's ear, his breath warm. In a hushed voice, he confided, "I like Della, and she likes me too. She always smiles at me. Do you think I could marry her when I'm grown up?"
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