Surrounded by toys scattered on the floor, Reese played with his little niece, making funny faces and swinging different toys above her line of vision to bring out giggles from her.
While a larger part of his mind was focused on the little baby, a smaller part kept looking for a suitable and subtle way to involve Nessa in Roarke's life without raising any suspicion, at least, not towards him; he knew he can't survive Roarke's wrath if he found out he was meddling.
He knew for a fact that his brother is attracted to Nessa, he himself might not realised it yet and might needs a little nudge in that direction. He knew his brother so well that if he hadn't been attracted even if it was a little, she wouldn't have been able to get under his skin. Roarke's reaction to Nessa every time she was brought up in a conversation or saw her is akin to endearment but masked with anger.
Vanessa whom he had grown to be surprisingly fond of over the past few days he had known her is as stubborn like her brother. Which made them fit perfectly, his brother needs someone who is as headstrong as him, who won't take his shit and won't allow him to act recklessly as he pleases. Someone who is also full of life, who needs to add colour to his brother's mundane life.
It doesn't take a genius to know how closed off Roarke had been ever since Ari's mother left. An issue everybody steer clear off, except you don't mind having your head being bitten off by Roarke.
He remembered vividly the toll it took on the whole family when it happened, how lost Roarke felt, staying alone in the house which was meant for his new family. Their mother's cry and heart broken face seeing one of her sons in pain but no way to help him except when he's ready to be helped.
Reese's heart ached sadly whenever he remembers the cry of little Ari then. How she cried at the top of her lungs like she knew what was going on. God bless their mother who would take care of her, carrying baby Ari with her to see Roarke everyday with the hope that it will get his mind off of her mother, in his home which he locked everybody out of. It was also around that time Rick left, but not without a showdown between him and Roarke.
A small whine from baby Sarah put an end to his unplanned trip down the memory lane.
He picked her up and threw her in the air, bringing out a heartfelt giggle.
"You would make a wonderful father, can't wait to witness that day"
Reese turned towards the door to see his sister-in-law, leaning on the walls arms akimbo, a warm smile playing on her face.
He snorted, "sorry to disappoint you but I prefer being an uncle than a father, besides, it will be unfair to the ladies if this gorgeous body of mine belongs to only one lady, don't you think? He swept his hand over his body from head to toe as a show off and winked at her.
Serena laughed, "just so you wait, can't wait to see your cocky smiles wiped off by your other half". She moved towards Sarah who had been stretching her hands towards her, ever since she entered.
"Your brothers are waiting for you downstairs, you're needed at the basketball court "
"Oh, time to go kick some asses" he grinned, while running his palms together.
"Not if Grace kick your ass first"
His eyes widen suddenly, "has mum found out I gave Ari, a little too much Candy?"
"Huh?" Glaring playfully, "I wouldn't call that a little too much because the poor girl has been complaining of a mild ache in her stomach"
"Oh no" Reese spoke with a remorse face
"Oh yes" she mocked before she reassured him, "don't worry yourself too much for now, "your mum and dad left some minutes ago".
He let out a breath of relief, "thank Goodness", he brushed some strands of hair off his face.
"But I'll watch out for Roarke if I were you"
"Oh crap!" Feeling the need to stall for sometime, suddenly it occurred to him that Serena is the perfect partner he needed for his plans about Nessa and Roarke to go without a hitch. And if at some point a hitch occurs, having Serena with him will be worth it.
Firstly, Roarke wouldn't quickly suspects Serena to have anything to do with it.
Secondly, he respects her and wouldn't do anything rash, besides, she's married to one of the people whom Roarke has high regard for, after their parents, Ryan, his elder brother and role model.
Smiling like a predator who has seen the perfect prey, "my dear favourite sister-in-law",
She rolled her eyes, "no, it won't work. I've seen that look enough to know it's the look you have on whenever you want to engage in one of your mischiefs"
Feigning ignorance, "I don't know what you're talking about"
"Of course you do, besides, I'm your only sister-in-law, therefore, your favourite" smiling, she gave him a light Jan on his arm.
"How would you like having a new sister-in-law and finding out if you're my favourite or not?
A satisfied smile appeared on his face when he saw that he had captured her interest.
"Well well well, I'm sure with our earlier discussion, I'll not be getting a sister-in-law from you anytime soon, definitely not from Rick obviously, that leaves us with Ronald cause I'm sure l'll be out of my mind to even consider Roarke"
Reese cleared his throat, "well, I guess I'm out of my mind then"
"Wait, you mean, I'm getting a new sister-in-law from Roarke " Serena couldn't have been more surprised.
"Actually, let me tell you how you're getting it"
"Hell no" Serena rejected the offer of being Reese partner after he had finished telling her about a certain pretty someone at Roarke's company who he intended to match with Roarke. "You must be out of your mind. If he as much as get the slightest wind of what you're planning, he will destroy you."
"That is if he knew, which he wouldn't be, not if you're my partner"
"Oh Reese, make it make sense, how does me getting involved won't make him suspicious?" She raised her brows, waiting for him to give her a logical answer.
"Because you, Serena, are the last person he would ever thought of to meddle in his business"
"Unlike someone who's an expert in not minding his business" she mocked.
Grinning, he shrugged. "No comments"
"So, you want me to be your shield so that if he finds out, scratch that's, she shook her head and rephrased her sentence, 'WHEN he finds out cause I'm sure he would, we will both be the recipient of his wrath, you won't be the only one and it might not be as grave as it would be if it was you alone, isn't that why you want me as a partner?"
He shrugged again, "something like that"
"Another question, does this Vanessa knows what you're up to?"
Reese, stood and stretched, "well, I volunteered to help her teach Roarke a lesson, only that the lesson will be a little bit different from what she had in mind. It will take a different course"
"Interesting " she replied.
After some seconds with careful thought, she spoke, "I'll not agree to anything yet till I see this Vanessa myself"
With a triumphant clap, he nodded, "good! Should I link you both up"
She snorted, "never mind, I'm Serena fucking Campbell, I'll take care of that"
"I knew I could count on you" he sweetly said.
"Don't" she held up her hands, "I've not agreed to be your partner in crime yet, till I meet her".
"Don't worry, you'll see that she's the perfect sister-in-law for you" he playfully patted her shoulder and kissed his niece's forehead before stepping out of the room.
"If I were you, I'll start preparing a will, in case things went south" Rena spoke out loud.
"Don't worry, I have you to shield me" he called.
The next plan of action had already formed in his mind, Reese dashed quickly to the basketball court after changing his clothes, he wanted to apologize for his keeping them waiting, "sorry, I'm..."
The ball hit him square on his face, not giving him time to complete his sentence, "ouch!" He rubbed his forehead which tingled painfully, he looked at the direction where the ball was thrown and met Roarke's angry look, "oh shit".
He suddenly remembered Serena's warning about watching out for Roarke who was angry for making Ari's tummy ache.
"It's not too late to back out of the plan, imagine what he will do to you if he finds out" the rational part of him, thought.
But then, the irrational part of him objected.