𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 | ✓

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈 - 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬

(edited)

"Chris, can we go out for a walk?" I asked, batting my lashes as best as I could muster, hoping my second oldest brother would cave. We sat side by side on the kitchen counter, the warm aroma of vanilla tea filling the quiet room. The chessboard between us was halfway through our game, the pieces scattered like soldiers on a battlefield.

Chris glanced at me with his usual calm, deep brown eyes. "No, Neffie" he said gently. "The doctor said you're not allowed to walk too much. Your lungs need to rest." He took a deliberate sip from his cup and moved his bishop with confidence. "Checkmate."

I groaned, flopping back into my chair, crossing my arms and pouting like a child denied her favorite candy. Chris chuckled softly. "Don't be such a toddler, piccolo" he teased, using that silly Italian nickname of his. "You'll win the next round." (Little one)

I raised an incredulous eyebrow. Clearly, these boys didn't know me as well as they thought. "I will win someday, Chrissy. But I want to go out!" I whined, throwing my head back to stare at the ceiling.

Being stuck inside all day was slowly driving me mad. I felt like a prisoner in my own home. Watched every minute, not even allowed to walk alone. Most of the time, they insisted on carrying me around like a fragile doll. The doctor's orders were strict: stay calm, only get up when absolutely necessary. But the walls felt like they were closing in, shrinking the house until it was swallowing me whole.

Chris leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his eyes full of gentle amusement. "Why are you so grumpy again, honey?" he asked softly.

"I'm not grumpy!" I snapped. "I'm just bored! And I am losing too!"

He smiled, eyes twinkling like he had no idea what boredom even meant. "Want to play another round?"

I scowled. 'Is he serious?' I thought. "No! I want to go outside!" I said, glancing at the clock. It was only 12:34. The day felt endless.

Chris sighed deeply and glanced at the clock himself. He knew I was withering from boredom, dying to escape these walls. But what could he do? Doctor's orders were doctor's orders.

Without a word, he carefully packed up the chess pieces, placing them in their velvet-lined glass case. "What are you doing?" I asked, confused.

He didn't answer. Instead, he got up and walked to the playroom. When he returned, phone in hand, his fingers flew over the screen. A moment later, he smiled, warm and reassuring, before scooping me up bridal style, just like he'd been doing lately.

"Where are we going?" I asked, snuggling into his shoulder.

"We're going for a small ride around town" he said, winking. "Thought you wanted to get out."

A grin spread across my face like wildfire. "Thank you, Chrissy!" I kissed his cheek and rested my head on his shoulder, basking in his warmth.

Chris settled me gently into the soft beige leather seat of his black Range Rover, climbed in, and pulled out smoothly. Outside, the world blurred past. The trees, the people, the life... And for the first time in days, I felt like I was free!

I probably sound dramatic, but living with six brothers meant constant noise, teasing, and hovering protectiveness. They didn't even let me walk alone anymore! So I reasonably was over the moon with such a small, meaningless to everyone else, car ride.

The soft strains of classic rock filled the car, and the gentle guitar notes seemed to wrap around me like a warm blanket. A perfect soundtrack for this little escape.