D&B5

50

After thanking Roman and Keith, little Ob ran to his car and prepared to climb in.  Kamol, who was nearby, lifted his nephew and settled him in the seat. Ob grinned with delight.

"This car has a remote control!" Keith said, handing the remote to Day. Day examined it; Ob's car had lights and sounds, but Day didn't activate them yet.

"Nong Ob needs to fasten his seatbelt," Mac said, noticing the seatbelt.  Mac then fastened it for Ob.

"Nong Ob, hold on tight. Daddy will help drive," Night said, seeing that Ob was already holding the steering wheel.

"Day, take it easy," Brick said.  Before the words were even finished, Day, unaware of the car's power, tried controlling it, causing the car to jerk slightly. Ob was startled, not expecting it, but he held onto the steering wheel tightly. Everyone remained silent, watching Ob. Brick stopped himself from rushing to his son. Ob looked at Day before breaking into a wide smile.

"Ob scared," Ob said, lightly hitting his chest. Brick breathed a sigh of relief before Day went to pat his son's shoulder.

"Daddy's sorry, sweetheart.  I startled you," Day said. Ob smiled brightly.

"Ob likes it! Daddy, do it again!" Ob exclaimed. Everyone laughed in relief that the little boy hadn't cried.

"I bet we'll be taking him for a spin in the neighborhood park tonight," Gear said with a smile. Day carefully maneuvered the car around the living room, and Ob laughed happily.

"Waaaaah!"  Little Anda cried, startled by Ob's laughter.  Anda's crib wasn't far from where Ob was playing.

"Hey, I'll take him to the play area on the other side of the house," Keith offered. Day handed Keith the remote and immediately went to check on Anda. Keith invited everyone to the other side of the house, where there was more space for Ob's car to run around.  Nan, Mac, Gear, and Night followed Keith. Roman, Kamol, and Kim stayed with Day and Brick. Day soothed Anda, and soon he stopped crying and fell back asleep.

"Day, Kim and I need to leave now. Kim has a client meeting," Kamol announced.

"Alright.  Any time you're free, come stay over and visit anytime," Brick replied. Kamol and Kim smiled their goodbyes before also saying farewell to Roman. Day walked them out to their car and then returned inside.

..

..

By evening, Gear, Night, Nan, and Mac took Ob to the neighborhood park. Roman and Keith had left earlier in the afternoon for Pattaya.

"Have you decided which car to take yet?" Gear asked his nephew, who was frowning.

"Why?" Mac asked, having just arrived and overheard the conversation.

"Nong Ob wants to take both cars to the park – the one Roman and Keith bought and the ride-on car. But Brick said he can only take one, so he's stuck deciding," Gear explained, amused, as Ob wanted to take both the car Roman and Keith gave him and his push-along car.

"Heh heh, tough decision, huh?" Mac chuckled, surprised that a two-year-old would have such a serious moment of deliberation. Ob looked incredibly serious for such a young child.

"Oh, still haven't chosen, Ob?" Brick, who had gone to get a baby carrier for Day to take Anda to the park, asked upon seeing his son standing still.  Ob immediately ran to cling to his leg.

"Papa, Ob wants both," Ob said, wanting to take both cars.

"Both? How many fingers is that?" Brick teased. Ob held up five fingers, making Brick laugh.