Bullied and the Bitch

Chapter 31: Spoiling You

"You'll still be going to school, won't you, El?" My mom asks at seven on the Monday.

"Um... I guess so," El says.

"You should – complete your education while you're at it. With a baby to take care of you'll barely have time," Dad tells her. She nods.

"Okay, Mr Klein," El responds with a nod. Dad looks at her with a smile – she's more polite than any of the friends I've had over.

"Just call me dad," he says, and I nearly choke on my food. My mother laughs, thumping me on the back. "What's the surprise, Bry?" Dad teases me. "She's pretty much family, isn't she?"

"Unless you don't plan on marrying her?" My mom raises an eyebrow at me.

"Uh..." I say. As a man, I was more willing to do so. As a woman... well, I guess it wasn't illegal but still. Would people look at El and I the same way?

"It's okay," El cuts in. "We're too young for it, anyway. We'll just... see how it goes."

"You're right, sweetheart," Mom says. "But still – call us mom and dad."

She lowers her head bashfully. "...Okay."

"I like your mom," El tells me with a smile. I blink at her.

"You do?" I ask with wide eyes. I'd disregarded my mother for so long, something within me predicted that anyone else she comes in contact with would too, even El. While I was trying not to take my parents for granted as much as I used to, old habits die hard. I definitely respected my mother a whole lot more, though, which was a change for the better.

"Mm-hmm. She's nice," El says, "I like your dad too. He's cool."

"Yeah," That I could agree with. Especially lately, I've been given the chance to watch him work... Pure coolness.

El buttons up the shirt I gave her and I put a jumper on her – it's a bit loose, except for the chest region which is too tight. I sigh.

"How did you end up with such a great figure?" I ask.

"It's not. I'm short," she argues.

"Being short is cute. You're too perfect."

"Like you can talk," I put her hair in a sideways braid and smile to myself. I put on a dab of make-up – which she protests strongly – then look at her.

"You don't mind if I dress you up every day for the rest of our lives, do you?" I ask. She looks at me like I'm crazy. "It's just too much fun."

She glances at the mirror and shakes her head. "This enchanted mirror is going to make my head swell up."

"Is not." I frown. "It's not possible for you."

She turns away from the mirror, as if afraid her reflection would come to life and eat her up. "Okay. Let's go to school." I smile.

"Let's."

El's hand smooths over my dashboard. "I really cannot believe how rich you are. No wonder you were such a snooty brat."

I shoot her an offended look. "Well. Not that I disagree. Besides, none of it is my money."

"But still – you live well."

"And you will too. And so will our baby."

"Mm," She hums happily. "We can't spoil her, though. I want her to learn that live isn't always easy."