Page 7 of What Haunts the Heart
I laughed and planted him firmly on the ground. He bent to pick up the glorified slippers before hugging them to his chest. A big grin stretched across his face, his two-toned eyes glistening with mischief. Peering around me, to where Claire stood, he puffed out his chest. "Oh, is that your girlfriend, Uncle Oaky?"
I choked. "Uh..”Quick, think fast!But my brain was suddenly a Windows 95 computer attempting to load the internet. It chugged along, straining and groaning and making weird noises.
To my relief, Claire knelt down to greet him. She didn't look the least bit worried about Fallon's proclamation. "Hi, Fallon, I’m Claire. I'm Oakley’s best friend".
His eyes grew round as saucers. "Can I call you Aunt Claire?" He quickly looked up at me, seeking permission as he bounced up and down on the backs of his heels. "Can I?"
Kinsley took that moment to come strolling into the room and, without missing a beat, he ruffled Fallon's mop of inky-black hair. "Sure you can, buddy," he said, matter-of-fact, right before winking at us. Claire's cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink. Kinsley smiled back warmly. "Good to see you again, Claire."
Saved by the brother.
"You too. You look…happy." She bit her lip. "Happy looks good on you."
"Happy feels good too," he said. "Hard to be unhappy with three little monsters roaming around."
Speaking of monsters… "Where's Khloe Raye?” I asked.
"Eating pudding." Kinsley chuckled. "She's a mess."
Fallon gasped. "What? Khloe's having pudding? I want pudding!" He sprinted off into the kitchen and a moment later, the clattering of plastic bowls could be heard.
"He's a handful, huh?" I teased my brother, and Kinsley deadpanned.
"You have no idea."
"He's adorable," Claire said. "I love kids. Oakley's told me all about them."
Khloe began to cry from the other room, realizing she'd been left alone. I could barely control my laughter when Kinsley grimaced and gazed skywards, as if reciting a prayer. Even Claire looked like she was seconds away from cackling like a madwoman.
"Come with me," Kinsley said, nodding in the direction of the unhappy squeal. "Before my kids eat all the damn pudding."
He made tracks for the kitchen. I nudged Claire with my elbow as we followed. "See? Told you you'd love them."
She beamed up at me. "I love kids."
Khloe's highchair looked like a murder scene, except the blood happened to be chocolate pudding. Smears of brown coated her tray and splashed up on her bib. Pudding oozed off the edges of the plastic to drip onto the floor, where she'd tossed her bowl. It sat upside down beneath the kitchen table. The spoon was still clenched in one messy hand. She sucked on her fingers with the other.
She kicked her legs when she saw us, bouncing in her seat. "Uncie Oaky!" she screeched, and there went the spoon, sailing across the room. She held out her grimy hands to me, wanting me to pick her up.
It was my turn to grimace. "Uh… I'm pretty sure she's done with her pudding."
Fallon had a giant serving spoon in the mixing bowl full of pudding, chowing down with mirth in his eyes. "Yum! Want some?"
"No thanks. Claire? How about you?" I asked.
Claire blushed. "Actually, I'd love some pudding. Chocolate is my favorite flavor. Where are the dishes and silverware?"
"I'll get you a bowl, Aunt Claire," Fallon said, sliding off his seat before she could respond. He clambered onto the counters, using a pulled-out drawer to boost himself up. Flinging the cupboard door open, he grabbed what he needed and then hopped down. When he trotted back over to us, he held out the plastic bowl with a big smile on his face. "Here you go."
"Thank you, Fallon. You're quite the gentleman."
He puffed out his chest. "I know."
Kinsley met my gaze and rolled his eyes, and we both laughed. While my brother washed Khloe's messy hands and face with a damp washcloth, I took a seat at the table. "Where's Chess? And Angel?"
"Chester's out Halloween shopping. Angel is with Lani." He smirked. "I swear, that woman might be growly on the outside, but she's got a creamy marshmallow center. The day Angel was born, she completely melted, Oaks. Like a chocolate bar left in the sun. Of course, I tease her about it relentlessly. She and Angel have a special bond, though, and I don't mind the help. Kids are hard work. Especially these little devils."
"I'm not a devil," Fallon said around a mouthful of pudding. "I'm an angel, just like Dad."
