Page 57 of Saving Little Clark

I had just executed a particularly daring dive-roll past the kitchen island when a stern voice brought me up short.

"And what, pray tell, is going on in here?"

I froze, Alex hot on my heels, as we turned to face the imposing figure. Daddy stood in the doorway with his arms crossed, one eyebrow arched in a look of fond exasperation.

"Oh, uh..." I stammered, feeling my face heat. "We were just playing?"

Behind me, Alex snickered. "Yeah, Uncle Brody. Clarkie here started it, spank him! I'm innocent, I swear!"

I turned to gape at him in betrayal, but he just blinked back at me guilelessly. The picture of wide-eyed innocence.

Before I could exact my revenge, Daddy was turning that stern look on Alex, making him shrink back with a sheepish grin.

"That right?" he mused, tone deceptively mild. "Well then, I suppose you won't mind helping your poor decrepit Daddies clean up the trail of destruction you two little tornados left in your wake, hmm?"

"Aww, but Uncle Brody!" Alex whined, bottom lip jutting out in an exaggerated pout.

Uncle Will, who had come up to stand beside Daddy, just snorted. "Don't give us that look, Little one. You make the mess, you clean it up. Them's the rules."

Alex heaved a put-upon sigh, the very picture of downtrodden resignation.

"Sorry, Daddy," I mumbled, cheeks heating with chagrin. "We didn't mean to make such a mess. We were just having fun, I guess."

But Daddy just smiled, crossing the room in three long strides to crouch down and press a kiss to my forehead. "No need to apologize, my sweet boy. I'm glad to see you laughing, having a good time. I know it hasn't been easy lately."

His eyes were soft as they met mine, warm with understanding and quiet joy. Like the sight of me happy, playful, was the greatest gift I could have given him.

We set about tidying. Minutes later there was the chime of the doorbell, followed by a familiar, exuberant shout.

"We’re here!"

I jerked upright just in time to see a pint-sized blur come barreling around the corner, making a beeline straight for me. I barely had time to brace myself before I was tackle-hugged within an inch of my life, my arms automatically coming up to catch the giggling, wriggling missile.

"Oof!" I grunted, staggering back a step. "Well hello to you too.”

Elijah grinned up at me, cheeks pink with exertion and eyes sparkling. "Hiya Clarkie!" he chirped, bouncing on his toes. "Hiya Alex! Did you miss me?"

Alex was fighting a smile as he reached out to ruffle Elijah's hair, ignoring the outraged squeak it earned him.

I perked up at the sound of Uncle Oliver's boisterous voice. Beside me, Alex scrambled to his feet with an excited little wiggle.

Sure enough, a moment later Uncle Oliver came sweeping into the room with his usual flair, grinning ear to ear. Uncle Lance trailed a few steps behind, an indulgent smile playing about his lips.

"There's our boy," Uncle Oliver cooed, voice gone soft and sweet as his eyes landed on us. "Causing trouble already, I see."

Beside him, Lance huffed a laugh. "Looks more like a puppy pile to me. Think we could sell tickets? The cute factor alone would make us a killing."

Alex stuck his tongue out at them. "You're just jealous 'cause you're too old and creaky to join in the fun. Don't hate us 'cause you ain't us."

Oliver gasped in mock affront, hand flying to his chest. "You take that back right now, young man. I'll have you know I'm in the prime of my life, I could run circles around you little whippersnappers."

Lance raised an eyebrow, lips twitching. "Whippersnappers? Really?"

Oliver sniffed, raising his chin haughtily. "It's a perfectly fine word. Not my fault these uncultured heathens wouldn't know good vocabulary if it bit them on the tush."

I heard Daddy and Uncle Will snort in unison behind me, a perfect echo of the giggles Elijah was muffling in my shoulder.

Alex narrowed his eyes, one brow arched in challenge. "Oh yeah? Prove it then. Let's see these alleged 'circle-running' skills in action."

---