Kids were kind of awkward near Alex, while Alex sat there stiffly as if he is an army man.
He sternly greeted the kids, "Hello Olivia, hello Owen. How are you?" Kids greeted obediently, "Hello Uncle Alex. We are fine, thank you. How are you?"
Alex replied sternly, "I'm fine, thank you", with a straight back as if someone put a stick behind him.
Seeing the tense environment Carla burst into a laugh.
Alex raised an eyebrow, "What?"
Carla: nothing, it's just funny to see how awkward you are around kids.
Alexander's face turned red from embarrassment, "I'm not awkward..."
Carla: Well I can see that. Ease up, they won't eat you. Kids don't worry, your uncle Alex is very fun to hangout with once he opens up.
Kids nodded and smiled at Alex. Alex was surprised, how heartwarming he felt seeing the kids smile at him.
Olivia: Yeah, he gave me juice on Grandma's funeral, it was tasty.
Alex smiled softly, "I'll buy more for you".
Owen sat there awkwardly and glanced at Alex from corner of his eyes.
Alex: Cindy said she can't come.
Carla: What do you mean? She said she is on her way.
Alex: Maybe she changed her mind.
Olivia took out a candy from her bag and put it in front of Alex.
Olivia: I brought this for you Uncle Alex, Thank you for the juice.
Alex had a warm feeling in his heart.
Alex: Thank you little princess.
Olivia's face turned red from shyness, "You're welcome uncle".
At the kid's corner, there were few toys and art supplies for kids so Olivia decided to draw. She brought some art supplies, sat quietly and started doodling. Alex looked at her drawing attentively.
Alex: You like to doodle?
Olivia looked up, "yess, it's my favorite!"
Alex: mine too. I used to sketch a lot when I was 10.
Saying it Alex had a flashback of his childhood, how he used to sketch Cindy and gift her. He gave a faint smile and patted Olivia's head, "Never stop doing what you love".
Olivia looked at him with wide eyes while Carla looked down seeing the despair in his son's eyes.
Olivia got up and stood behind Alex while Owen and Carla looked at her wondering. Suddenly Olivia hugged him tightly, Alexander's eyes widened from surprise. Olivia held him tightly and said, "Little princess has come to take away the sadness!" Alex smiled softly and held her tiny hands, "Thank you little princess".
Cindy walked in with Matthew, she was surprised seeing how Olivia got close to Alex. Alex looked up, he was quite disappointed seeing Matthew there.
Cindy: Aunt, I'm here!
Cindy walked to Carla and sat beside her, "you had to go through so many things for my kids".
Carla: don't make me feel small, they are my grandchildren!
Matthew stood there awkwardly when Carla noticed him.