Little Angel

Chapter 2

Ella's POV:

I'm so excited, today we're going to Central Park for a picnic and ice cream!!! Lucas almost cancelled it though because of Xander being a no-no word and Xavier having bad grades. With my begging though, he decided to let us still go even though those two are grounded.

We make our way to the park with a picnic basket full of food and snacks and a picnic blanket for the six of us.

Third Person POV:

In the heart of Central Park, the sun casts a warm glow over the greenery and the sounds of the city are just a soft murmur in the background. Ella, with her bright eyes and eager smile, is the center of her brothers' world as they settle down for a family picnic.

Lucas, the eldest of the siblings, has always taken his role seriously. Today, in the lush expanse of Central Park, his attention is solely on little Ella, the youngest and the darling of the family. The picnic blanket is spread neatly on the grass, a cornucopia of Ella's favorite foods laid out before them-peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crusts lovingly cut off, fresh strawberries sliced just the way she likes them, and plump grapes that glisten in the sunlight.

He watches her with the patience and focus that only a big brother can possess. Ella, with her sun-kissed cheeks and a ponytail that swings as she moves, is more interested in the butterflies fluttering by than the food on her plate. Lucas chuckles softly, understanding the allure of the vibrant park around them but also knowing the importance of a good meal.

"Ella, sweetie, let's make a game out of it," Lucas suggests, his voice a blend of warmth and persuasion. "For every bite you take, I'll tell you a secret about the park." Ella's eyes light up with curiosity, and she eagerly takes a bite of her sandwich, looking at Lucas with anticipation.

"Well," he begins, lowering his voice to a playful whisper, "did you know that the squirrels here have a secret stash of nuts hidden under the big oak tree?" Ella's giggle is music to his ears, and she quickly takes another bite, eager for the next secret.

As she eats, Lucas continues to weave tales of the park's hidden wonders-of the ducks that dance when no one is watching and the flowers that sing lullabies to the bees. Ella listens, captivated, her plate slowly emptying as her imagination fills.

Finally, satisfied that she's eaten enough, Lucas gives her a gentle nod of approval. "Okay, baby, you're all fueled up for some fun. Ready to go make some new friends?" Ella nods vigorously, her energy barely contained.

Lucas stands, brushing crumbs from his jeans, and extends a hand to his little sister. "Let's go conquer the playground," he says with a smile, knowing that this simple moment-the two of them hand in hand, surrounded by the beauty of Central Park-will be a memory they'll both cherish for years to come.

Lucas takes Ella over to the playground where the two of them play together. Ella tries to make some friends but the kids unfortunately don't want anything to do with her. Ella feels herself getting upset and sad.

With a determined look on his face, Lucas takes Ella's hand and leads her away from the unfriendly group of kids. He knows just the person who can make her forget about those mean encounters. Lucas guides Ella toward Noah, her friendly and outgoing brother with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

As they approach Noah, Lucas can't help but smile.

"Hey, Noah! Think you can challenge Ella to a race?" he asks, his voice filled with excitement. Noah's eyes light up, and he eagerly accepts the challenge, ready to show off his speedy skills.

Lucas sets up a makeshift race track, marking the start and finish lines with sticks and rocks. He explains the rules to both Ella and Noah, making sure it's a fair and fun competition. Ella's face brightens up, her previous disappointment fading away as she focuses on the upcoming race.