The Harper Family: Second Chances (Wattpad Version)

Entertaining a toddler

Dante

My grandfather tasked me with entertaining the munchkin. For a three-year-old, she had boundless energy and asked too many questions. How do parents handle their precocious animals?

Teens and adults, I can handle. Toddlers, not so much.

The munchkin followed me around the house, talking about Cinderella. I know nothing about children's interests.

I stopped and turned to the kid. "Look, kid. I know nothing about some chick named Cinderella."

Julia stared at me like I committed a mortal sin. "What?"

I leaned down and looked into her big brown eyes. "Is Cinderella your friend?"

Julia's brows furrowed in confusion. "Cinderella is a Disney Princess."

"So, she's not your friend?"

Julia scrunched her face.

A teen boy approached us. "I realize you don't understand the concept of toddlers, but they don't understand adults."

I stood erect and looked at the guy. "Who are you?"

"Max. Julia is my niece."

"So why don't you entertain the pipsqueak?"

"Because for some ungodly reason, Julia likes you."

"Children aren't my forte."

"So what?" Max shrugged.

"Why should I care about some Princess?"

"Because that princess gives a three-year-old hope of seeing her father again."

I regarded Max and pursed my lips. Julia stood before me with furrowed brows. I forgot she didn't understand what was happening.

I crouched to her level. "Tell me about Cinderella."

Julia's face lit up. She grabbed my hand and dragged me to the couch, then pushed me to sit. She climbed into my lap and got comfortable. Then she told me all about Cinderella.

*****
Nash

I came inside from the backyard and heard voices from the living room. I moved to the doorway and found Julia sitting on Dante's lap while she talked about Cinderella. Max noticed me and walked toward me.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Julia's telling Dante about Cinderella."

"Why?"

"Why not?" Max shrugged.

I know Julia misses Dexter. We've been trying to keep her occupied so she doesn't ask too many questions. It isn't easy because she wants her daddy and doesn't understand why he's not here. Hell, I don't even understand.

All we got was the kids were alive and safe. It's the one thing keeping our sanities in check.

Max and I left Dante with Julia and walked into the kitchen. I grabbed a jug of iced tea from the fridge and poured them into glasses.

Max slid onto a stool at the counter. "Do you think Dexter is okay?"

"I hope so." I handed him a glass of iced tea.

"Dad, I understand you're angry with Dexter, but I doubt he wanted to get dragged into this mess."

I looked at Max and sighed. "I'm not angry with your brother. But Chelsea was bad news."

"But we got something amazing out of the situation."

I studied Max. For seventeen, he was levelheaded. I nodded in response.