Chapter 16
Killian
“Uncle Killian, I’m hungry,” Ellie complained.
I peered over my laptop at the little pigtailed beauty looking at me with a pout.
I was working from home today, and Ellie was out of school due to a teacher workday.
Since my sister and brother in-law had to work and my parents were on a trip visiting my grandparents, I volunteered to watch my niece.
It was clear that I wasn’t going to get much work done.
Ellie was an active child and required a lot of attention.
Since I was childless, there was only so much to keep her busy at my house before she looked to me for entertainment.
She’d stopped me three times already. The first time, she wanted to play hide-and-seek.
The game didn’t last long because baby girl was a giggler and gave herself away. The second time, she wanted me to color with her. The third time she wanted me to watch her favorite show with her. Of course, all those times, I was a sucker and gave in. Now she was hungry.
I closed my laptop and placed it on the coffee table. “What would you like to eat, baby?”
She tapped her chin as though she was thinking seriously about her answer. She gasped when it finally hit her.
“I want a cheeseburger kid’s meal.”
“All right. Go put on your shoes, and let me go grab my keys.”
“Okay!”
She ran over to the front door and plopped down beside where her shoes were.
I stood and went to grab my keys from the kitchen counter.
Looking at the clock on the stove, I saw that it was almost noon.
I knew we’d be passing the mechanic shop to go to the burger spot Ellie loved, so I pulled out my phone to call Alayah.
“Hello?”
“Hey. What time are you taking lunch?” I asked.
“Um…in a few.”
“How long do you have?”
“An hour. Why?”
“I’m on uncle duty today. Some little person isn’t letting me get any work done, and now she’s hungry. We’re about to go get some food. You wanna ride with us?”
She was silent for a moment too long, which made me pull the phone from my ear to see if she was still on the line.
“Layah.”
“I’m here.”
“You coming?”
“Is your sister okay with this—me being around her child?”
I didn’t even think about that, but I knew Bridget would be fine.
“She won’t mind.”
“Have you asked her?”
“Would you like me to call her?”
“I’d feel better if you did.”
“Hold on.” I clicked over and dialed Bridget’s number.
“Killian, you better not be calling to complain about the child you spoiled,” she answered.
I chuckled. “First of all, I didn’t spoil her.”
“Keep telling yourself that. What do you want?”
“Ellie and I are going out for lunch. I invited Alayah—”
Bridget laughed. “Killian, don’t be using my baby as your wingwoman. You can’t pull her on your own, little brother?”
“You get on my nerves.”
“But you love me. It’s fine. You can take her. Maybe Ellie will give her a little love. I know you said she’s been missing her little sisters.”
“She has. And you know Ellie loves to make a new friend.”
“That she does. Have fun. I’m sure I’ll hear all about it when I pick her up.”
“I’m sure you will. Love you, sis.”
“Love you, too.”
I clicked back over to Alayah. “Hello?”
“I’m here. What did she say?”
“Well, after she accused me of using my niece as my wingwoman, she said it was okay to—”
“Uncle Killian, come on!” Ellie yelled. “I’m starving.”
“I’m coming, lil’ girl.” I chuckled. “As you can see, she’s impatient. We’ll see you in about fifteen minutes, okay?”
“Okay.”
I hung up and shoved the phone into my pocket as I left the kitchen. When I entered the living room, Ellie was standing by the door with her little arms crossed.
“You took forever,” she complained.
I playfully mushed her head before opening the door. “You can’t be rushing people when you can’t drive yourself.”
“I can drive.”
“Your little pink convertible doesn’t count. Come on here, girl. We have to pick up a friend.”
That started a whole round of questions as we made our way to the car.
She wanted to know who we were picking up and why they couldn’t drive themselves.
When I told her Alayah’s name, she asked if she was my girlfriend, if she had any kids, and if I was going to marry her.
The questions continued the whole fifteen-minute drive.
When we pulled up to the shop and Alayah walked out, Ellie gasped.
“Uncle Killian! She’s so pretty!”
I smiled. “Ain’t she?”
“She looks like Moana.”
I chuckled. I could see where she would think that. Alayah’s curls were wild, free, and blowing in the wind today. I got out of the car and went around to open her door. She smiled as she approached me.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hey, beautiful.” I leaned in and kissed her cheek, noticing the redness in her face when I pulled back. “I hope you’re as hungry as Ellie.”
I opened the door, and she climbed in. Rounding the car, I hopped in the driver’s side.
“Ellie, this is my friend Alayah.”
Ellie was looking at her wide eyed with a smile. “Hi,” she said excitedly.
Alayah matched her smile as she extended her hand. “Hi, Ellie. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“You’re so pretty. You look like Moana. She’s my favorite Disney princess.”
“Well, thank you. I’ve never seen Moana.”
Ellie gasped. “No way! It’s only the best movie ever. Uncle Killian, you have to show her the movie.”
I chuckled as I pulled out of the parking lot. “Who said she wants to watch all that singing, Ellie?”
She scoffed. “That’s the best part. Can you play a song for her?”
I sighed. “Which song, baby girl.”
“‘You’re Welcome.’”
I searched my music because of course I had the soundtrack for her. As soon as the music started, she started singing and dancing in her booster seat.
“I’m sorry about this,” I whispered to Alayah.
She giggled. “It’s fine. Adrienne and Amiyah had me watching Disney movies when they were little.”
“Are you listening, Ms. Alayah?” Ellie questioned.
“I’m listening.”
The ride to the burger spot was filled with Ellie singing along. I knew I was going to hear this song in my sleep because she would most definitely want to watch the movie once we got home.
When we pulled into the parking lot of Burger Bliss, Alayah looked around like she was expecting someone.
“You good?” I asked.
“Adrienne works here.”
“Do you wanna go somewhere else?”
“No. She and I are good.”
That was news to me.
“I’ll tell you about it later,” she said, noticing the look on my face.
I nodded. Unlocking the door, I got out and went to open her door before getting Ellie out.
With her balanced on my hip, we walked inside.
As we approached the counter, I recognized Adrienne right away.
I hadn’t seen her since she was a kid, and now, she was a miniature version of her sister at her age.
When she noticed Alayah, she smiled wide.
“You came back,” she said, leaning across the counter to hug her sister.
“I told you I would.”
It did my heart good to see them share a moment. I knew how important reconnecting with her sisters was. Adrienne looked at me and squinted.
“Don’t I know you?” she asked. “I never forget a face.”
“I’m Killian. Your sister and I used to study together at your house.”
“That’s right. You would cook sometimes so she could help us with homework.”
“That was me. This is my niece, Ellie. Say hi, Ellie.”
“Hi. You look like Ms. Alayah.”
Adrienne giggled. “Well, she’s my sister.”
Ellie looked between the two of them. Reaching out, she touched both of their cheeks. “You have matching freckers.”
“Freckles,” I corrected.
“Freckles. Uncle Killian, why don’t I have freckles? I want some.”
“Some people are just born with them. Now, tell her what you want to eat.”
She rambled off her order and kept asking questions as Alayah and I ordered our own food. There was never a dull moment with this child.
“I’m going on lunch in a second, so I’ll bring the food to you,” Adrienne said.
“Thank you.”
After grabbing our drinks, we went to find a seat, making ourselves comfortable in a booth. Ellie claimed the spot next to Alayah.
“I’m glad to see you two reconnected,” I said.
“Me, too. I still haven’t had one-on-one time with them, but at least I know they’re open to rebuilding our relationship. I know it won’t be easy for obvious reasons, but whatever strife comes behind it is worth it. I miss them so much.”
I reached out and grabbed her hand. “I know, love. I have faith it will all work out.”
Ellie looked between us curiously. “Uncle Killian, I thought you said she wasn’t your girlfriend.”
“She’s not.”
“So why are you holding her hand?” She gasped. “Do you like her?” she whispered loudly.
“You know, Ellie, you are just as nosy as your mama.”
“My mommy is not nosy…What’s nosy mean?”
“You ask a lot of questions.”
“Well, how am I supposed to know stuff I don’t know if I don’t ask?”
Alayah laughed. “She has a point, Killian.”
I shook my head as Adrienne approached the table with our tray of food. She placed it in the middle of the table and took a seat.
“Let me see your phone,” she said, holding out her hand.
Alayah dug into her purse and produced the phone, handing it to her. Her sister typed on it for minute before handing it back.
“I put my number in there and sent Miyah yours. I’m gonna create a group chat.”
“Kennedy doesn’t check your phone?”
“Of course she does. That’s why we have two phones. Miyah gave you her second line, just like I did.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “You’re a sneaky one, huh?”
“If you had to live with that woman, you’d be sneaky, too. She’s not gonna keep me away from my sister.”
Alayah had a worried look on her face. When Adrienne noticed it, she wrapped her arms around her and kissed her cheek.
That made her smile a little. I couldn’t imagine not being able to see Bridget.
Sure, she worked my nerves growing up, but we had always been pretty close.
If I couldn’t have that, it would break my heart.