Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Stefan's POV

A loud sob and sound of crying and rushed footsteps made both of us rush inside my bedroom worried. What could have happened? My bedroom door flew open and wailing and crying Arielle came running into the room followed by her middle-aged nanny Beth. I immediately panicked on seeing her.

Arielle flung herself into my arms, crying. She must have returned from the birthday party in the neighborhood, as she was still in her party dress. The little birthday girl Sarah Lynn lived two houses away and Arielle was very close to her. I was very worried. Arielle is a very sweet-tempered, happy child. What could have happened to my little girl to make her so upset?

"Shh sweetheart, " I tried to calm her. "What happened?" I asked her softly.

"Daddy, I do not go to my birthday, ever," She mumbled incoherently through tears and hiccups.

"Why, sweetie? You love birthday parties, don't you?" I tried convincing her. She had always loved birthday parties and eagerly waited for one whenever she was invited.

Rosy too knelt down beside me. Arielle looked at us both and started to calm down a little. I was thankful that she was calming down. I couldn't see tears in her eyes, she was my baby.

I looked up at Beth, and mouthed, "What happened?"

"Daddy, all mommies came, why do I have no mommy?" she said between sobs and hiccups. It really shattered my heart. What could I answer? That Claudia was a bitch and abandoned her for money? At this point, I really wished that things were normal in my life and I could give my little girl a normal family. She didn't deserve this. Claudia didn't care about her but it would break her heart if she knew the truth.

"You have a mommy sweetheart, maybe she's too busy or sick to come to us. When God wants her to, she will come to us,'' I attempted to explain to her. She was too little to face the harsh reality that Claudia would never ever come to see her. I could not tell her the truth yet. Maybe someday when she grows up and would be able to understand better, I would explain.

"Sarah said my mommy, not like me,'' she said as big fat teardrops fell from her eyes.

"Sarah doesn't know. Of course, we all love you, "I said as she hugged me. I held her little body, rubbing her back to stop her from crying. It was breaking my heart. I felt so helpless that I couldn't help her, that I wasn't there to stand up for her.

''Yes, count how many people love you and you will see that you have more people loving you than Sarah. Isn't that cool?'' asked Rosy and they counted together. Since ours was a huge family, the number of people loving Arielle was actually three times that of Sarah. This actually cheered her and I stared at Rosy admiringly. I was impressed at how simply she cheered up Arielle and made her happy again.

"I was going to make Popsicle after lunch. Ari, do you want to help me with it?" Rosy asked her as she got up. Arielle's face brightened with excitement as she suddenly caught Rosy's hand and started for the door. All her crying and wailing was forgotten in a jiffy and she excitedly jumped to go make Popsicle with Rosy. "But first let's get you cleaned and changed, okay?" Rosy asked.

"Yesss Anna," Arielle giggled and tugged Rosy's hand. ''Hurry."

I looked at Rosy and mouthed, ''thanks.'' She just smiled and walked out with Arielle and Beth.

As we sat down to lunch, Tristan walked in with Audrey much to my dismay. He grinned seeing me at home. He had tried to convince me to go home many times but I was adamant and upset. I knew he wouldn't let this opportunity go to tease me in front of everyone.

"Uncle Twis, glanny," shrieked Arielle and ran to hug them. I scowled at Tristan as he walked in, his eyes glinting with mischief as usual.

"Well, well bro, vacation at the office is over? You're home? I thought you never wanted to come home?" He winked at Rosy, showing his ear-to-ear grin. I knew he wouldn't let it go. I swore that I would take my sweet revenge someday.

"Shut up Tris. Why are you here?" I asked irritably. He sometimes got on my nerves.

"Ouch bro, I'm your favorite person in the whole world. I thought I could come and go as I pleased," he said pouting and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Quit it, you two,'' Audrey glared at Tristan. "Leave Stefan alone. Can't you two just enjoy lunch and let others eat in peace?"

Gran joined us in a wheelchair helped by Ellie, and Rosy leaped to hug her and help her to the table. Audrey and Tristan also hugged gran. She was improving and we were glad.

I helped gran to the table and Rosy to her seat. Arielle sat beside Rosy as she helped her with her lunch. I took my seat at the head of the table with Rosy on my left, gran on my right, and Audrey beside her. Tristan sat beside Arielle. We all helped ourselves to the mouthwatering ham and egg, cheese pizza, chicken nuggets, baked sauteed broccoli, and a juicy mixed berry salad.

"What are your plans, Stefan? Arielle would have to join some playschool soon, " Audrey asked looking at me. She was more worried about Arielle than I was. I sometimes felt that I was an awful dad. It had escaped my mind that Arielle was big enough to go to playschool.

"I don't wanna go anywhere, daddy. I have Anna to play with me," Arielle argued. I smiled indulgently at her innocent remark. She didn't realize why she needed to go to a playschool to play when she could play at home with Rosy.

Rosy again saved me from the trouble of convincing Arielle. "Sweetheart, I will go with you there, sit there, and wait for you. You play with lots of new friends and enjoy and learn new things. When you're done I will bring you home. Will you go then?" Rosy asked her.

"Pwomise Anna?" she asked innocently.

"Yes sweetie, I promise," Rosy said as I smiled with relief. Arielle was happy that Rosy agreed to go with her to playschool and she agreed to go too.

"Alright Audrey, I will check the nearby playschools and admit Arielle," I said, looking at Rosy and Arielle. How that girl so easily managed to convince Arielle was beyond me. Arielle was very stubborn and we had always failed in that department.

The rest of the lunch went amidst the usual banter and chaos when Arielle spilled water onto herself. Gran and Audrey went for a stroll with Ellie on the lawn. Arielle and Rosy went about making popsicles, and Tristan and I went to my study to discuss work. Later a phone call from the site engineer later made me rush to the construction site of our hotel.