My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 178

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Chapter 178

My Cheating Mate

Jeremy pov

Grace’s sixth birthday was in two weeks, and she had Opinions.

Strong ones. Detailed ones. Opinions that required multiple consultations with various adults in her life about feasibility, budget, and what she called “reasonable expectations for birthday celebrations.”

She’d been explaining these opinions to Cas for the past twenty minutes, showing him her newest block stable–a three–story architectural marvel that incorporated not just horses but what appeared to be a complete small–town ecosystem including a bakery, a library, and something she was calling a “community center for horse meetings.”

“And this part,” she said, pointing to a section constructed from purple and blue blocks, “is where the horses discuss important matters. Like what hay is best and whether afternoon walks should be longer.”

“Horses have parliamentary discussions in your stable?” Cas examined the structure with complete seriousness. “That’s democratic governance I hadn’t anticipated.”

“Well, they can’t just do whatever they want. They need organization.” She adjusted a small toy horse that had fallen out of the parliamentary section. “Uncle Cas, for my birthday, I want two things.”

“Go on.”

“First, I want a real art set. Not kids‘ markers. Real ones. With oil pastels and proper paper and those pencils that blend.” She was using her negotiating voice–the one that meant she’d thought this through carefully and had supporting arguments prepared. “I’ve been practicing and Mama says I’m ready for better materials.”

“That seems reasonable for a budding artist.”

“And second-” She paused for dramatic effect. Grace had learned about dramatic pauses from watching Cas in diplomatic conversations. “I want a family portrait. Professional. With everyone in it.”

“Everyone?”

“You, me, Mama, Daddy, both Grandpas, Marcus, Victoria.” She counted them off on her fingers. “Everyone who’s family. I want it on the wall so anyone who comes to our house knows exactly who we are.”

Cas went very still. The kind of vampire stillness that meant something significant had just happened underneath the surface. Grace, including me in a formal family portrait would—that would make certain statements. Political statements.”

“I don’t care about political statements.” She looked up at him with those enormous brown eyes. “You’re my Uncle Cas. That’s not political. That’s just true.”

I was standing in the doorway with Emma, both of us having stopped to watch this conversation unfold. Emma’s hand found mine, squeezing gently.

“When did she decide this?” Emina murmured.

“Probably the moment she learned what family portraits were.” I squeezed back. “She’s been building to this for years.”

Grace was still explaining her vision. “And I want it in the living room. Where everyone can see. Because some people still don’t understand that vampires can be family and I think a picture would help them understand.”

“Grace” Cas started.

“Uncle Cas, you’re in every drawing I make. Every picture of family I do for school has you in it. The only difference with a real portrait is that it would be better quality.” She crossed her arms in that particular way she’d learned from Emma. “Also, Aldric asked for the horse names last month and I sent them and he sent back a thank you note. A real one. On fancy paper. He said the

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names were thoughtfully chosen‘ and ‘demonstrated consideration for individual horse personalities.!!!

“He did send that note.” Tas’s voice held something complicated. “I was surprised.”

“I wasn’t. People who care about horses are good people.” She returned to adjusting her stable. “So can we do the portrait? Mama said I should ask you because it would make you ‘diplomatically uncomfortable‘ but I think you’ll say yes because you love us and pictures are just accurate representations of what’s already true.”

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