To Infinity and Beyond

A Riddle

Mark's POV

When we entered my condo, I saw Mia dressed immaculately for her promised picnic. Her small arms were folded against her chest, and she was huffing in annoyance while pacing across the living room. The moment her eyes met mine, she took long strides and straight-away hugged my waist.

"Dad, you are here. Did you see? It's raining outside! How will we go for our picnic now?" She pouted, the frown on her face showed how disheartened she felt.

"I know sweety. We can always go next Sunday. I am sorry it had to be this way." I bent down to face her and gave loving pecks on her soft cheeks.

"But I prepared the picnic basket, all by myself. It has some fruits, our favourite sandwiches and juice. What will we do with that now?" She still wasn't convinced.

"We can always have a small picnic here, at home. We can just pretend we are outdoors and play games all day." Before I could answer, Alice did. She was wearing a soft smile on her face and took small steps to walk in our direction.

"Aunt Alice! What a pleasant surprise." Mia left my embrace and went running to Alice, only to engulf her in a hug too. She looked happy to see her.

"Hey, Mia. I didn't know you had such a beautiful house. Why don't you give me a tour and we can decide where we can start with our picnic today?"

"Sure Aunt Alice. Will you spend the entire day with us?" Mia looked at both of us with hopeful eyes.

"Yes, she will," I replied instantly. Alice watched me with a raised brow, which was soon followed by a playful chuckle. I was not letting her leave anytime soon. I was already looking forward to spending the day with two of the most beautiful girls in the world.

"Okay Bunny, so Alice is your responsibility for the next half an hour. I will go take a quick shower and join you guys soon."

"Okay, dad. Don't worry. Aunt Alice, you are my guest now." She jumped excitedly at my suggestion, and Alice looked equally elated too. I gestured Alice to ask if she was comfortable. She blinked her eyes in response, signalling me to go ahead. I left both of them in each other's company and receded to my room.

Before I went upstairs, I saw Tracy giving me a curious look. She had a funny expression plastered on her face.

"What?" I asked her blatantly.

"Nothing. She is just so beautiful. Different from the bimbos you usually date. I like her already." Tracy winked and whispered, making herself audible only to me. Her sheepish grin gave away what she had on her mind. She probably imagined Alice in a wedding gown already, walking to the altar as my bride-to-be. Like Rose, she was hell-bent in getting me married too. However, her remark made me speechless. I couldn't help when my lips curved up into a small smile and just nod at her. For the first time, my words failed me. My heart was blanketed by the warmth of the giggles that came from my living room, and with an untold feeling of joy and happiness, I walked to my room.

***

"Aunt Alice. Catch me if you can." After a long shower when I finally got down, I saw nobody was present in the living area anymore, and I could hear fading sound of chortles ringing my ear from the farther side of the house.

I started searching room by room and met Tracy in the kitchen instead. "Where are they?"

"They are outside, at the deck. I came inside to prepare lunch. I am cooking Chinese. Hope that's okay?" Tracy answered without raising her head from the chores in hand.