This is love

TWENTY-FIVE

Jason’s point of view. 

“Are you sure? Honestly Jason, you can just bring her home. We’ll be fine.” 

“Flo, get some rest.” I say down the phone, shoving my hand into my jeans pocket. “Viv and I will be fine for a few hours. I’ll even get her some dinner and drop her home before bathtime, alright? Just rest up. Give that handsome nephew of mine a kiss, and I’ll see you soon. Okay?” 

She sighs happily. “You really are a treasure. Thank you. We owe you one.” 

“Noted for future babysitting.” I joke with her. The piercing loud ring of the bell chimes and I patiently wait for the bundle of energy to burst through the doors.

“Uncle Jason!” 

Her squeaky and pitched squeal would make ice melt if those incredible blue eyes and bouncy blonde curls didn’t get there first. She bundles out of school and holds the straps of her, The Nightmare Before Christmas backpack that was almost bigger than her before thudding into my stomach and making me stumble. 

“Hey there pretty lady.” I grinned. “Did you have a good day?” 

“Look! Ms Peterson gave me two stickers!” Vivien beams with mass excitement in her little eyes. “One for helping Ebony tidy up and this one for eating all my green beans!” 

“High five, kiddo! That’s amazing!” I exclaim. She jumps and slaps her palm against mine, before taking my hand as we cross the parking lot to the car. “So listen, mama and daddy are getting some rest with baby Frankie so I said that you and I could take a wee trip after school then I’ll take you home after dinner. Sound okay?” 

Her eyes sparkle. “Can we go to Busters?” 

There was an involuntary flutter in my chest at the mention of the arcade that was held so close to my heart. Seemed silly to be so attached to a giant building made for children, and adult children, but I had deemed it our spot. Frankie’s and mine. Now we got to take Vivien and hopefully our future children, but right now, I enjoyed taking our niece and polishing her Ice Hockey skills. 

“Do you even need to ask?” I grin jokingly. She snuggled back into her booster seat, legs jiggling in excitement. 

“Jasey?” 

“Vivvy.” I tease back glancing at her as we drive away from her school. 

“When is aunty Frankie coming home?” 

The wind was knocked from within me and I tightened my grip around the steering wheel. Vivian was taking Frankie’s departure harder than expected, although it was due to happen. The pair were inseparable.  

“Another week, baby.” I tell her. “I think she might even have a present for you.” 

That was enough to curl the frown to a beaming smile. “She has?” 

I pretend to zip my lips closed and give her a wink, watching as she wiggles in excitement again. We arrive at Dave and Busters soon after, the place being as close to deserted as it could possibly be, only the odd toddler waddling about and staff cleaning, Vivien was beyond ecstatic that she basically had free run of the place without queuing. Patience wasn’t this girl’s strong point. 

As she takes a seat behind the car game, I steal a glance down at my phone and frown at the undelivered sign that popped up beside Frankie’s last three messages. 

Morning gorgeous. - Undelivered. 

Told Flo and Paul I’m picking Vivian up from school to let them rest. Here’s hoping she’ll forgive me for ditching her on saturday.. - undelivered