Desirable

~61. White wine

Celise runs up to her mother with her arms spread out at wide as she could, "Mummy!"

Clem laughs and catches her, lifting her small frame from the ground. She encases her in a hug.

"Hi there, sweetheart. How was grandma's?"

"Good, she got me a new Lego set," she holds on to her shoulders and smiles.

"That's cool! I can't wait to step on a piece by accident," she sighs, her eyes wandering to the tall man approaching them with a smile. 

She had just pulled in to the driveway and parked, the other two must have parked only minutes before because they were still emerging from Louis's car. The man grins at her and places a kiss on her cheek. 

"Yeah, that'll be a treat. I'll help you build it, Liz. Or AJ can, he's coming round soon right?" his eyes meet Clem's again, he places a hand on Celise's back and softly rubs as he speaks.

Clem nods, "He's coming to stay for a couple weeks while Lee and Carley go up to see her parents."

Louis grabs Celise's to-go bag from his car and locks it, then takes Clem's bag from her car so she doesn't have to carry it. The family walk up to the house and unlock the front door, walking in. 

"Is everything okay with her parents?" he asks as he places the bags down by the door.

"Not really, Carley doesn't think they'll be around much longer. She's very upset about it all, that's why they're going up there for so long," Clem places Celise on the ground again, watching her jog to the open living room. 

"Well, it'll be nice to have AJ around. I miss him."

"Yeah, me too," she takes her bag from Louis and removes the wrapped-up cookies that Bruiser had made. The two walk in to the kitchen, "Celise, look what Uncle B got you!" Clem calls to her, a few second later the short girl emerges.

"What is it?" she tilts her head up at her mother. 

"He made you cookies, honey. Do you want some now?" she shows her the goodie bag, making Celise's eyes widen as big as the moon. 

She squeals and jumps on the spot, "Yes!!"

"But not too many! You'll spoil your dinner." 

~~~

The small family were sat outside in the colourful garden; Clem and Louis were sat on the bench with a glass of white wine each and Celise was playing on the grass with AJ, who had brought a bag full of new toys. It was the late afternoon and the sun was shining through the tall trees, glistening down on the family. 

Louis sat beside his girlfriend with one arm over her shoulders, keeping her close against him. She slouched comfortably with him, resting a hand on his leg. She takes a sip of wine then leans her head on his shoulder, watching the two kids on the grass. Louis places a small kiss on the top of her head, a smile plastered on his face. 

This must be what heaven feels like, he thought to himself.

"Who's going to take AJ to school everyday?" she thinks out loud.

Louis chuckles, "Is that your way of hinting that I'll take him?"

"We'll take turns, how about that?" 

"Sounds like a deal," he sips from his glass, "I think this time with him will be good for Celise, it's like having a brother."

"I guess. He's a good uncle to her," she watches as AJ helps Celise stand up and holds her hand as she wanders around.