The Thief of Hearts

Bonus Chapter

Thanks to all my friends and fellow readers for your votes and for reading my book. I really appreciate your support which encourages me to continue writing.

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A loud, historical scream caused Keith to look up from his newspaper in alarm. He found the kids at the sand box playing and shook his head in amusement as he saw what the problem was. His daughter, Kelia was waving a headless Barbie doll in the air while yelling angrily at the boy from next door. The five year olds were inseparable, but they just couldn't get along. It was only a mystery as to why they stay in each other's presence.

"Ugh!" Kelia scream, throwing her hands up, "look what you did to my Sofie!!"

Jace just smiled at her sweetly as he tried to calm her down. "It's just the head. Here, let me put it on back." He offered.

Kelia slapped at his head with the doll but it missed it as he ducked. "You idiot! I hate you! Leave me alone!"

Keith got up to play mediator, but decided against it as it would probably just encourage Kelia to carry on her rampage. Allowing the kids to work out their differences on their own will help them out in the far future. As long as an adult is around to make sure no one gets hurt, everything was just fine. Besides, Keith was charged with the duty of reading all of Thalia's articles in the newspaper, so he had better done that before she gets home. That way, he'd prevent the older version of Kelia from whatever her unpredictable behavior might result in.

Keith went back to the newspaper as the kids argued. He looked up from his reading every now and then to see if there was any trouble that he should intervene in. Jace ended up taking the doll from a very enraged Kelia, who crossed her arms and sat down on an overturned bucket of sand. He fitted the head back into place and handed it over.

"See," he said with a smile, "it's as good as new my love."

Kelia stuck her tongue out at him as she grabbed the doll. Her male companion just laughed and hugged her, resting his cheeks on the top of her head. She huffed in frustration and stamped her feet miserably, a little blush growing on her cheeks. She then pushed him away and went to the far side of the sand box, determined to put some space between her and Jace.

"You better stay over there," she warned, glaring at him, "and don't touch my Sofie again!"

"Whatever you say my dear." Jace replied, seemingly unaffected by her behavior. He took up his Batman action figure and threw it playfully at her feet.

She kicked at it and pouted. "That it, I've had it with you little pest?" She screamed as Jace chuckled lightly at her reaction.

"You're so adorable." He just said calmly watching her.

"Go home Jace!" She ordered, pointing next door.

By that time, Keith had decided he had had enough of the children's drama and put down his papers to assist them. "Okay guys that's enough." He said with a sigh.

"He started it daddy." Kelia wined.

"Jace, quit annoying my little girl, or I'll have to send you home." Keith warned, wagging a finger at him.

"But she's so adorable, look at her." Jace protested and Keith found it hard to keep a straight face.

He nodded a little as he replied. "I know, but you can't annoy her for the whole day. You've had your fun, now it's time to stop."

Jace sighed in defeat and hung his head. "Okay sir."

.......

Amanda and Ashton showed up some time after with their sons Tyler and Matthew in tow. The eighth year olds went straight to the sand box to play with their friends while the adult joined Keith on the veranda. They then went to prepare their usual barbecue for Friday's game nights, a custom of theirs ever since they left University. As soon as Thalia gets home, they would all enjoy the break that their full time jobs could not spare.