***
Lizzie Carlton looked out her window and watched Shane and Chris laughing in the car as Shane packed his Cadillac Escalade SUV in front of the house. The windows were not rolled up so she could clearly see them. And the sight of Shane’s carefree laughter was a pleasure to see. Shane didn’t laugh much. He did smile a lot though. The few times Lizzie had heard him laugh so heartily in their friendship of twelve years, it had either been because of something Adele had said or done.
The guy never laughed otherwise. So seeing him obviously happy with Chris was fun to watch and Lizzie realized she was actually laughing too though she didn’t know the reason for their laughter. It was good to know Shane was happy. She just hoped Chris wouldn’t hurt him that was all. With a sigh, Lizzie turned away from the window and went into the hall, calling Adele’s name.
“Adele, Honey, Daddy is here.”
“Yayyy!” Adele came running down the stairs, shouting with joy.
“No running honey,” Lizzie said, opening the door for Shane. “Wow, isn’t someone looking hot?” She smirked, taking in Shane’s casual yet elegant look. Of course, she knew Shane looked good in anything but she just couldn’t pass up on the teasing. “I wonder for whose benefit this…”
“Shut up, will you?” Shane laughed, pulling Lizzie into his arms. “Where’s Sam?”
“You really expect to see him here on a Saturday morning?” She asked dryly, making Shane laugh.
“Hey there Princess,” Shane called out when Adele came running towards him with her cute Minnie Mouse bag hanging on her little arm. Shane caught her in his arms and twirled her around, making her squeal. “How’s my little princess this morning?”
“She’s fine.” Adele giggled. “Let’s go, let’s go, Daddy.”
“Your wish is my command, Madam,” Shane said as he took Adele’s hand into his.
When they went outside, Chris was leaning against the car with his arms folded across his broad chest. “Are you Uncle Chris?” Adele shouted and bolted towards Chris, surprising Shane. “Mummy says the three of us are going to have fun.” She informed Chris, not even waiting for him to answer her question.
Chris went down to Adele’s level and grinned at the little girl. “That’s the plan. Ready?”
“Yes, yes,” Adele responded enthusiastically, jumping up and down.
Laughing, Chris straightened up and opened the car for Adele. Then he helped her in and strapped her in. When he turned around, Shane and Lizzie were standing close to him.
“Hello, Lizzie,” Chris said softly.
“Hello, Chris. How are you doing?” Lizzie asked, rubbing her hand on her slightly bulging tummy.
Chris wasn’t surprised he hadn’t noticed that Lizzie was pregnant the day they’d met. He’d obviously been too confused to. “Can’t complain. Haven’t been punched of late so…” Chris shrugged. Shane’s eyes widened. Lizzie burst into laughter.
“Oh my God.” Lizzie gasped, trying to stop her laughter. She hadn’t been expecting that. “I deserved that.” She said, wiping tears of mirth from her eyes. “I won’t apologize for hitting you.”
“And I don’t expect you to,” Chris responded with his hands raised in a sign of surrender. “You can hit me again any day if it will make you feel better,” Chris murmured, his eyes going to Lizzie’s stomach. “Just don’t bring out the guns.”
This time Shane laughed too. “Oh, God Shane, he’s crazy.” Lizzie laughed. “Okay get out of here, you two. Don’t want the little lady to get impatient. And do try and keep your eyes on my baby instead of each other.” She called out as the car started to move.
“To think she actually punched me in that state,” Chris muttered making Shane erupt into more laughter.
“She should probably have shot you instead.” Shane laughed.
“Fuck y…”
“Chris!” Shane bellowed just as they heard Adele’s voice.
“Uncle Chris said a bad word,” Adele shouted from the back.
“Oh fuck…shit…” Chris groaned as he exasperatedly kept muttering the wrong word. Finally, he gave up with a deep sigh. “I’m so sorry Adele. I won’t say that again.”
“Mummy says if you say a bad word, your mouth will be washed out with degertent like dirty clothes.” Adele conspiratorially informed them.
“Deger…” Chris started with a frown.
“Detergent,” Shane said loudly and slowly to Chris as though he were deaf and dumb.
“Oh right,” Chris said, flipping Shane off. “Detergent. I will be careful then. Because I wouldn’t want detergent in my mouth as it doesn’t taste nice.”
“Mummy says it’s bitter and can make you sick.” Adele supplied.
“Ooh, then we can’t have that.” Chris gave a mock groan.
“Noooo,” Adele answered, dragging out the word.
“Thank you for telling me, Adele. I’ll try to remember all the time.” Chris said sweetly.
“My pleasure.” She answered, looking pleased with herself.
“You’re a natural,” Shane muttered with amusement.
“Aw come on. I can’t believe I actually used the f-word in her presence.” Chris muttered, praying he wouldn’t slip again till Adele was back with her mother.
Shane reached out to entwine his fingers with Chris’. “Hey, don’t beat yourself up.”
Chris unconsciously raised their entwined hands to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of Shane’s. They both quickly looked back at Adele who smiled at them but said nothing. Shane didn’t let go of Chris’ hand till they got to their first stop for the day… Aquarium of the Pacific, where they saw numerous ocean animals and Adele got to hand-feed brilliantly coloured lorikeet birds as the three of them strolled through the Lorikeet Forest. Then because Adele said she wanted to see more animals, it was off to the zoo.
She laughed excitedly when she saw a meerkat, calling it Timon, after the Lion King character. Shane and Chris couldn’t help but laugh at how excited she looked. And since she expressed an interest in sitting on the zebra, Shane suggested they go to Griffith Park where Adele got to ride on a pony. She enjoyed the miniature train ride and the merry-go-round as well.
“Time to eat little lady,” Shane announced.
Their next stop was Clifton’s Cafeteria where the two-story restaurant was actually a majestic wonderland of artificial trees and streams. Their home-style menu was a classic delight. When Adele’s ‘Treasure Tray’ request…picked by Chris came, they all oohed and aahed. The tray had spaghetti, meatballs, chicken, and corn. After their meal, Adele was made to choose a toy from the ‘Treasure Chest’, which made her so happy.
Their next stop was Skateland, where Chris taught Adele how to roller skate. Shane chose to sit it out because it wasn’t his thing. From their delighted laughter, it was obvious Chris and Adele had so much fun.