Country Mile

DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE

The trio entered the house, shaking off the chill as they shook out of their coats.

"There's my girls," Adam smiled and opened his arms wide for Genna and Delilah. "How was date night?" he asked. They ignored the tight way he said 'date', and smiled up at him as they moved in for a hug.

"It was amazin'," Delilah gushed. She plopped her giant sheep down on the couch and then made a show of adjusting the tiara on her head that Genna bought her as a joke. "You should know, you're in the presence of royalty. I reign supreme, winner of Date Night Bowlin'." She twirled out of Adam's arms and pointed to the floor. "Now, bow down before me!"

Adam let out a hearty laugh and gave Genna a squeeze. His blue eyes twinkled as he looked down at her. "You let that little brat win again, didn't ya?"

Delilah sucked in an offended breath. "How dare you speak of your royal Highness in such a vulgar manner, you fool!"

Genna smiled and shook her head when Adam's head jerked Delilah's direction. Quicker than the blonde could prepare for, he took off after her. She didn't get but a few steps before he scooped her up and began tickling her sides mercilessly.

"She did too, didn't she?! Admit it!" he demanded. "Admit it right now, ya little cheat!"

"NEVAAARRRR!" Delilah squealed through her giggles. "GUARDS! O-OFF WITH H-HIS HEAD!"

Anne held up her hands, "I'm not saving you this time, your Highness."

"AU-AUNT ELLIE! STOP HIM!"

Ellie shook her head and continued taking pictures with her cellphone. "You're on your own, sugar!"

"DADDY ST-STOP, I'M GONNA PEE!"

Adam lowered her to the ground and playfully swatted her backside. "It don't count if the game is thrown."

She shrugged as she sprinted out of the room, tossing over her shoulder the same phrase she said to Genna. "A win's, a win!"

Genna stood off to the side, sporting a half-hearted smile.

Adam stalked over to her, hands up and fingers wiggling. "You look like you need some cheerin' up from such a devastatin' loss."

"Oh, no. No, no, I'm good," Genna said as she slowly started walking backwards in an attempt to put the coffee table between them. When Adam only quirked an eyebrow at her, Genna started laughing despite the ball of sadness she felt rolling around in the pit of her stomach. "Dad.. Daddy.. don't you even think about it."

He shook his head slowly as the fox-like smirk only spread wider across his face. "You sure? You look a little glum to me."

"I'm good!" she quickly said, the width of her smile mirroring his. "I'm gonna go to bed happy. A.. a happy loser, but still considering myself part of the royal court. Ya know? She wouldn't be where she is today if not for my undying loyalty."

Her words were in no way convincing him and she knew it as he only inched closer. He quickly lunged at her and she squealed, unable to make it any further than Delilah did before his tickling hands wrapped around her.

"I'M ROYALTY TOO!" Genna laughed as he lifted her off the ground. "UNHAND ME YOU PEASANT!"

"Peasant?!" he scoffed as his tickles intensified. "You quit lettin' your sister win. It ain't good for her."

"I KNOW, I KNOW, I WON'T DO IT AGAIN!"

"Good," he lowered her to the ground with a grin. "You best not."

"I won't," Genna promised and gave him a side hug. "She's already got a fat head, we don't want these wins making it even bigger."

Adam let out a laugh despite himself and swatted her bottom just as he did Delilah's. He turned his playful blue eyes to Ellie. "And what did you do while they were bowlin'?"