NovelOnlineA childhood graced with joy can be a salve for life, a painful one, a wound that forever seeks to heal.
As the saying goes, a man is the backbone of the family. Once he's bent or rotten, the household descends into chaos, splintering at its seams.
William and Skyler were playing in the yard of the Stirling mansion with their bunny Nibbles and the kitten Mittens.
Mittens and Nibbles got along famously, often seen frolicking side by side.
It was proof that animals of different species could forge friendships and live in harmony, so long as they weren't natural-born adversaries.
Mittens was once a stray whose hunting skills had honed to perfection on the streets.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWhen seeing a butterfly on a petal, Mittens crouched low and crept forward, and its muscles tensed for the pounce.
Nibbles, ever the silent companion, also lay down to watch the hunt unfold with fascination.
The butterfly sipped at the sweet nectar. With a swift leap, Mittens pinned it beneath its paw.
"Meoww!" it proclaimed, looking up at its young masters as if awaiting a prize.
"Whoa, Mittens, you rock!" William tossed it a piece of dried fish, rewarding the successful hunt. He then picked up the butterfly, planning to preserve it as a specimen later.
Skyler clapped delightedly at the side. He loved watching Mittens in action.
Sometimes, Mittens would climb trees to chase birds, but that behavior brought it no treat but scolding.
They wanted Mittens to live in peace with the birds so their friend Chirpy would feel safe to caround.
Chirpy, terrified of cats, would bolt into its cage and shiver at the sight of a cat.
Arnold presented a tray of freshly baked cookies on the stone table.
The boys washed their hands in a flash.
Just then, a car pulled up, parking at the front gate.
Lisa stepped out, carrying her daughter, with Edith trailing behind.
Aurelia had advised Lisa to make the first move if Arnold didn't go to see them. So, here they were for an impromptu visit.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWilliam's eyes lit up. "Daddy, Nova's here!" He and Skyler jumped off their seats and ran to open the gate.
Edith retrieved the stroller from the trunk, and Lisa put her daughter inside and let the boys push it.
Nova's face broke into a wide grin, babbling and kicking her legs excitedly at the sight of her brothers.
"Daddy, Nova's smiling!" William's eyes widened in amazement at the little wonder before him.
Arnold ruffled his hair. "That means Nova's growing up. Soon she'll be crawling, walking, and talking." "I'll teach her!" William beamed with pride.
Lisa nursed Nova, and then the boys took her around the yard to play.
With the boys around, Nova had no interest in napping, only in playtime.
Skyler picked up Mittens. "Nova, this is Mittens. It's a kitty cat. Meow, meow, meow." Nova, seeing a small animal for the first time, stared wide-eyed, uttering baby gibberish, "Goo gah, aah aah..." Setting down Mittens, Skyler then lifted Nibbles. "And this is Nibbles, a little bunny. Floppy ears up high, loves carrots and greens, hopping about, just so cute." Nova gurgled and wiggled her little legs in joy.
Lisa sat on a bench, smiling at the children's antics. "William adores Nova, and she likes him." Arnold poured her juice. "Have scookies." He called the boys over, and they all shared the treats.
William fired up his iPad, ready to play a nursery rhfor his sister, when a news alert popped up, reading, “Avery's makeup artist pressured into donating a kidney.” He quickly clicked on it. "Holy smokes, it's Marianne's trending! Her family is pushing her to donate a kidney, and they made a scene at Uncle Avery's film set."
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