Someone to stay

Chapter 9

Aria
I wouldn't say I was good with kids considering the fact that I only had a small amount of experience with them through my stepbrothers. But I had come to think otherwise when I got my hands on Kai's little brother. I wiggled the tip of my nose on his tiny one. He let out a cute squeal his tiny body bouncing in my arms. My heart grew twice its size and I couldn't resist nibbling his chubby cheeks earning more giggles from him.
"Aww. He likes you," Allegra cooed as she watched us with adoration. I tickled his tummy. "Is that true? Is it?" He made happy noises clapping his hands.
"I'll take that as a yes," I chuckled hoisting him up higher on my waist.
"Is he always like this with everyone?" I asked as I walked over to Allegra who was making a fresh bottle of milk for him. She shook her head her eyes fixated on her task.
"Not really. He's a picky one." "Was he always like this with you guys?"
"Oh no. He actually cried a lot when Madam Gianna took him in. Couldn't even let us touch him without throwing a tantrum." I turned my gaze to Kade who was now playing with the strands of my hair with amused sounds and my heart ached for him. The world had already threatened to chew and spit him out before he was even born. His mother died days after he was born from lung cancer and the hospital was planning on taking him to an adoption Centre since he had no relatives before Gianna took him in.
"It's a selfless act that Gianna did," I thought out loud. Allegra smiled sadly." Yeah. People like her are very rare." She sighed thoughtfully then pointed at the bottle in her hand. "Do you want to feed him?"
I nodded. Once the bottle was in his mouth, he went quiet and sucked it, his tiny hands gripping it. At this point, my heart was a ticking bomb. Ready to explode at any moment from cuteness overload.
"You really do seem to surprise me every day, Aria." Gianna said strolling into the kitchen, grandma just behind. They had white matching tennis outfits on, tennis bags in each of their hands.
"Look at how well you're handling Kade," she mused wiping off some milk droplets off the corners of his lips.
"You'd think she's his mother," grandma intruded beaming radiantly at me. I grinned and deflected.
"I didn't know you guys were going to play tennis today."
"It was a last-minute decision actually," grandma countered hiking her bag over her shoulder.
"Oh, by the way cara mia. Did you call back Maria?" She inquired staring expectantly at me. I blinked and gave her a blank look. She reciprocated it. "No."
"Perche' cara mia? Sai quanto e' importante questo per te." I sighed at the weight of her words.
"Why is it a big deal?" Gianna whispered casting an inquisitive glance between us.
"Well, Maria, an art director in LA, wants Aria's art pieces in her gallery," grandma explained in Italian. Gianna gasped turning her eyes to me then back to grandma.
"You mean the Maria?" "That's the one. "
Gianna breathed out a baffled sigh.
"That's such great news Aria. You must be really talented for such a reputable director to want your art." Allegra nodded vigorously beside me her blue eyes gleaming animatedly.
My smile came out uneasy from the topic at hand.
"Right," grandma pointed out. She heaved out a sigh probably noting the look on my face.
"Or maybe you want another art gallery. There are many options cara mia."
I stifled a sigh. I didn't want other options. Neither did I want the one in question. I knew what I wanted but she wouldn't agree whole heartedly to it. I knew that because I was already struggling and yet it was only a consideration.
"No, it's just," I paused lacking the words to explain. Or maybe I wasn't ready to yet. "I'll get back to her," I finished.
"Promise?" I gave her a tentative nod. She pressed a quick kiss on my forehead before they left. "I'll tell her. I will. But when the time is right," I told Kade after Allegra went upstairs. He stared at me with a smile while I jounced him in my arms.
"Oh, aren't you just cute," I said fiercely pinching his cheek. The front door slammed shut before Kai plodded into the kitchen a thrilled Kiara behind his back. She hopped off of him with a shriek once she noticed Kade in my arms. Kai grimaced at the deafening sound.
"Hi Kade," she cooed softly over him while he reached out to grab her glasses. She let him, her bunny front teeth showing as she smiled. I couldn't help but notice how adorable they made her look.
"And where have you guys been?" My eyes veered to Kai who was already staring. He looked at Kade in my arms and then back at me and his eyes flashed with something soft before he averted his gaze. My heartbeat ricocheted. "Target," Kiara answered. "Kai is making gelato," she clarified before I could ask, her face lit up. I slid my gaze to Kai who was taking out things from a target bag. I nodded, unamused that he could cook. Anyone could take a guess that he was all-rounded just from looking at him. Allegra came back for Kade to change his diaper. Kiara followed her offering to do it herself. I should've left too but I found myself walking over to Kai.
"I'll help, "I offered. He tore his gaze from the can of heavy cream he was holding, to me, something I couldn't read sparkling through his eyes.
"Really." I nodded and rushed out," I'm good at following instructions." His gaze turned heavy after I said that. And he smiled like my statement meant something else entirely that I knew nothing of.
"Alright," he concurred.
I helped him out where I could and constantly shot questions at him which he answered straightforwardly.
"So, were you in a basketball team?" Surely it was the only reasonable explanation to the skills. He came behind me while I stirred the egg and sugar mixture and gradually poured warm milk inside. His after shave invaded my nose.
"Not really," he drawled out as he backed away.
He hesitated a flick like he was considering what to say before he continued. "My dad made me play it for a while."
Made me. As in he forced him to. His revelation didn't amuse me since Kaleb was forced into the same as well.
The man was too despicable to be called a father.
"Which sport would you have picked yourself?" His gaze burned a hole on the side of my cheek like he was surprised I had connected the dots that quick.
"Swimming," he said candidly. I tried to resist the urge to meet his eyes. I failed miserably and ended up having my face burning nearly as much as the stove. I dipped a spoon into the mixture in the bowl and took a taste. Sweetness erupted in my mouth, and I groaned taking another spoon for Kai to taste. I held it out for him expecting him to take it. But instead, he lowered his head and covered his mouth over it while I still held it. My libido must have been way out of place right then because as I observed his lips, I imagined how they'd taste like and feel like on my lips, skin. A cold shiver flared up my spine making me jitter.
"It's good." I let out a dry breath. He glanced down at me warily.
"I have to take something from upstairs. Can you try finishing up?" I gave him a thumbs up. He aired out a breath of amusement a curious look on his face. If cringe was a person, it would no doubt be me. Instead of sulking over my weird self, I focused on how I would get the food coloring that rested in the highest shelve of the pantry. I found a stool underneath the bottom shelves and pulled it out. It was frail but my only option. I stepped on it and pulled myself up using the adjacent shelves. The stool wobbled but I stretched my hand further and swiped up the small bottle. A yelp left my mouth as the stool shook from my movement and before I could topple over with it, an arm curled on my waist and twisted my body until my chest met something warm and solid. Kai held me up firmly with one arm, my toes lightly skimming the floor. My palms rested against his hard chest, our lips inches apart and our noses brushing. If I leaned in further, our lips would touch. I'd taste him. Both our chests heaved heavily in sync as we stared at each other and shared breathes. I licked my lip. He followed the motion with a dark gaze. Heat pulsed between my legs.
"You should have waited for me," he whispered his top lip touching mine. My heart pounded in my ears. I couldn't find my voice. I was too focused on him. His lips.
"Kai?" Someone called out. I released myself from his grip and took a step back. His eyes were darker now, only a small speck of green left.
"Aria?" I looked away from him and padded out of the pantry. He trailed me out.
"Yes."
Allegra flicked a prying gaze between us and the corner of her mouth tilted up slightly.
"I was just checking if you needed any help. But I guess your good." We both nodded.
"Okay," she added before walking out.
We finished up in awkward silence and frequent glances before we went our separate ways. When I got to my room, I found the same rainbow sherbert bear from the last week's fair on my bed. Butterflies erupted in my tummy as I lifted it onto my lap. A small note was attached to it,'From Kai',written in elegant black cursive. I hugged the bear and ran my nose over its fur. It smelled like him, and I closed my eyes for a moment and imagined it was him.