|A L W A Y S & F O R E V E R| B O O K 1

3||L u n c h

Date: 1/18/15
Day of the Week: Sunday
Location: Los Angeles, California
Place: Russell's Place

Russell
First thing in the morning, after praying, I picked up my phone to check my notifications. I chuckled when I saw that she had ignored my follow request. I shrugged my shoulders and threw the covers off of my body. For a while, I lay there, staring up at the ceiling and just thinking about random things that came to mind. My phone ringing broke me out of my thoughts. I took it off the charger and saw it was my older brother, Harrison.

"Hello. Yeah, I'm still picking her up. I'll be there in about an hour. Alright. Bye, Bro." I hung up afterwards and got out of bed, making my way to the bathroom to take a shower. Once I got out of the shower, I put on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. I slid on a pair of Nike slides and grabbed my phone, heading downstairs to grab my car keys to the Benz. After locking up, I got in my car and drove out of the driveway to my brother's place.
>>>
An hour and a half later, I arrived at Harrison's house. I parked the car and got out, closing the door. Gracie came running outside at the sound.

"Uncle Russ!" I kneeled to her height, catching her in my arms.

"How's my girl? You're getting so big." She giggles as I brush my hands through her hair, roughing it up a bit.

"I'm fine. Can we go get ice cream?!" She asks excitedly.

"Sure. Let's go inside to tell your parents and your little sister goodbye." She let go of my waist, and I stood back to my feet to go inside.

"Hey, Russ!"

"Hey, big bro. How's everything going around here?" We gave each other a brotherly hug and walked to the living room to sit down. He sighed while taking the spot next to me.

"Hectic. With the new baby and all ...she keeps us busy. I had forgotten what it felt like to have a baby in the house." I nod my head sympathetically.

"I'm sure it'll get better once she's adjusted to everything around her."

"Man, thanks for taking Gracie for a few days."

"No problem, man. I missed my Gracie. Plus, you two need a little rest. I know Gracie is a handful for you guys." I pulled her into my lap and kissed all over her face repeatedly. She burst out into laughter.

"S-stop, Uncle Russ!" She pushed my face away from her, letting out a small giggle.

"What's with all the commotion in here?" I looked up to see Courtenay come in with Nora cradled in her arms.

"Hey, Court!"

"Hey! You wanna hold her before you leave?" I hesitated for a moment before I agreed.

"Yeah. Give her here." She sat down on the couch next to me and carefully handed her to me.

"She's so tiny and beautiful." I ran my fingers through her smooth hair. She stared at me in a daze.

"She is. I can't wait until you have kids of your own one day." A laugh climbed up my throat.

"I have to find the right one first, and that won't be anytime soon. I need a break from dating right now anyways."

"Oh, you can't let her get in the way of your love life," Courtenay spoke.

"Courtenay..."  I turned to her, mentally rolling my eyes.

"She was my wife." She threw her hands up in defense.

"I know. I was just saying."

"Look, I want to have kids one day, but for now, I need at least two years to clear my head and breathe before I start dating anyone."