Ethan turned at the sound of his na, barely having ti to react before a small blur of excitent launched into his arms.
"Jules!" He laughed, catching his youngest sister mid-air as she wrapped her little arms around his neck.
He lifted her effortlessly, holding her securely as she pouted at him.
"You weren't here yesterday!" Julia huffed, poking his chest accusingly. "And even this morning, I didn't see you! I looked everywhere!"
Ethan gave her a guilty smile, adjusting his hold so she sat comfortably in his arms. "I know, I know. I've been busy with work stuff. But hey, I'm here now."
He smoothed down her hair. "And I missed you too, you know?"
Julia sniffed dramatically. "Really?"
"Really," he assured her with a grin.
She squinted at him, then, seemingly satisfied, rested her head on his shoulder. "Okay. But you have to stay longer today!"
Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire
"We'll see," he teased, making her whine in protest.
As he held her, he glanced around. "Where's everyone else? Mom? Claire? Even Dad?"
Julia swung her legs slightly, deep in thought. "I dunno. Mommy left with gan's mom so I could play with gan."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "And she just left you like that?"
Julia rolled her eyes, making Ethan chuckle at how much like their mother she looked in that mont. "It's not like that! gan's mom is really nice, and we were having fun."
Before he could respond, another small figure appeared — a little girl with brown curls and an excited expression.
"gan!" Julia cheered.
gan ran right up to them, her eyes wide as she looked at Ethan. "Julia! Is this your big brother we saw that day?"
Julia nodded proudly. "Yup! This is Ethan."
She patted his chest. "He's the coolest!"
gan gasped. "It must be so cool to have a big brother! I only have a little brother, and he's annoying."
Ethan smirked, setting Julia down so the two girls could talk properly. "You know, I have an annoying little sister too."
Julia shot him a glare, her hands on her hips. "Hey!"
gan giggled. "But she's also your favorite, right?"
Ethan shrugged playfully. "Depends on the day."
Julia groaned. "You're a anie!"
gan tugged on Julia's hand, her excitent doubling. "Co on! Let's take him to et my mom!"
Before Ethan could even object, Julia and gan each grabbed one of his hands, dragging him forward with surprising strength.
He sighed in defeat but smiled. "Guess I don't have a choice, huh?"
"Nope!" Julia grinned. "Now, co on!"
The girls led Ethan toward a seating area near the pool, where a woman in her mid-thirties sat at a table, flipping through what looked like a parenting magazine.
She had short brown hair pulled into a neat bun and warm, hazel eyes that crinkled with amusent as she noticed them approaching.
"Mama! This is Julia's big brother, Ethan!" gan announced, still holding onto his hand.
The woman looked up, her lips twitching into a polite smile. "Ah, so you're the famous Ethan I've been hearing about?"
She played along nicely, as expected of a mother.
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "I guess so."
Julia puffed out her chest proudly. "Yup! He's super busy but also super cool!"
gan's mother let out a soft laugh, closing her magazine and offering her hand. "Nice to et you, Ethan. I'm Caroline, gan's mom."
Ethan shook her hand, noting her firm but friendly grip. "Nice to et you too, Caroline."
Caroline gave him a once-over, an amused glint in her eye. "I have to admit, when gan said Julia's big brother was 'super cool,' I half-expected a kid in sunglasses and a leather jacket."
Ethan smirked. "I left the jacket in the car."
Julia giggled, tugging on his sleeve. "No, you didn't. You just took it off inside!"
Caroline chuckled. "Well, I appreciate you coming over. Julia and gan have been inseparable since they t. They even insisted on having matching braids earlier."
Ethan ruffled Julia's hair. "You making new friends, Jules?"
Julia bead. "gan's the best! We played all morning!"
gan nodded enthusiastically. "We even played princesses! Julia said she was a warrior princess, and I was a mage!"
Ethan grinned. "Sounds like a power duo to ."
Caroline smiled fondly at the girls. "It's always nice when kids click like that. You can tell they bring out the best in each other."
Ethan nodded, watching as the two girls started whispering to each other, probably plotting their next adventure.
He glanced back at Caroline. "So, how're you enjoying the resort?"
Caroline took a sip of her drink before replying, "It's been nice, We've been coming to the resort since the day it launched. My husband's job has been hectic, so we decided a long stay here would be nice. But they've been playing together ever since you left,"
Ethan leaned back slightly, nodding. "That sounds like Jules. She's always been good at making friends."
Julia suddenly perked up. "Oh! Big brother! Can gan and I go play at the sand area near the beach?"
Ethan hesitated. "I don't know — "
Caroline interjected with a reassuring smile. "It's a safe area, and there are plenty of staff around to keep an eye on them."
Ethan exhaled, looking at Julia's eager face, then at gan, who was practically bouncing on her toes. "Alright, but stay where I can see you."
"Yay!" Julia and gan high-fived before dashing off toward the sandy area.
Ethan shook his head. "I swear, she has more energy than anyone I know."
Caroline laughed. "It's a gift, really."
They sat in comfortable silence for a mont, watching as the girls built sothing in the sand.
"You're a good brother," Caroline comnted after a while.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You say that like it's a rare thing."
Caroline shrugged. "You'd be surprised. A lot of siblings don't take the ti."
Ethan sighed. "Life's busy, but I try. Family's important."
Caroline smiled. "That's good to hear."
Julia and gan soon ca running back, covered in sand but grinning.
Julia tugged at Ethan's sleeve. "Ethan! We built a giant castle! You have to see it!"
gan nodded eagerly. "It even has a moat!"
Ethan glanced at Caroline with an amused smile before standing up. "Alright, lead the way, Princess Warrior."
Julia bead. "Co on!"
Reviews
All reviews (0)