Thanks so much for doing this, Seth. I really appreciate it", Rachael says as she gently drops a bag with clothes onto the floor.
"Not a problem, Rach. You guys deserve some time off. Ya know, being fulltime parents with a demanding job and all mustn't be easy", Seth places his hands in the pockets of his jeans, giving a small nod to Spencer, whom places the rest of the bags beside the one Rachael put on the ground. She smiles warmly at her older brother before pulling him into an embrace. He places his hands on her back, patting.
"Thank you…", she pulls him closer to her, her arms tightly and securely wrapped around his neck, "so, so much. If we can repay the favor-"
"That won't be necessary", he says, attempting to step back but her grip is far too tight, and she's not letting go just yet, "however, if you can find the force within you, you may release me from your death grip".
She chuckles and lets go of him, slapping him playfully on his arm while she does so. He pretends to be hurt by holding onto his arm, "Ouch, Rach!"
"Oh, you big baby", she shakes her head at him with a smile still plastered upon her face.
"I'm still your older brother", he pauses, eying her with a devious smirk, "And if you'd like, I can still back out of our agreement and make you cancel your trip. Would you like me to do that, sis?"
"I'm already gone", she hastily says, speaking tongue-in-cheek as well, copying her big brother, and the two share a moment, laughing. Spencer simply raises an eyebrow at the intimate scenery unfolding before his eyes.
"Honey, we need to go soon or else we'll be late", he says after checking the time on his watch.
"Oh, right!", Rachael exclaims, hastily looking around her to see if they missed anything, "Everything you need are in the bags; clothes, toys, stuffed animals. Make sure she goes to bed between 7 and 9 pm, though. She'll throw tantrums if she doesn't get enough sleep"
Seth shrugs, "So, why not let her sleep in a little?"
"Because the babysitter will arrive in the mornings"
"Say what now?"
"You honestly thought we were going to leave our daughter alone with you?", she folds her arms before her chest, her head slightly bend.
"But she adores her uncle Seth", he starts to protest, scoffing, sounding a little condescending even, "There's honestly no need for a babysitter"
"Yes, there is. Lord knows what you'll be feeding her. Not to mention she needs to be entertained all day long, and well," she looks at him from head to toe, "you are getting older, so –"
"Don't even finish that sentence", he says, giving her a stern look before smirking wickedly, "But, it's fine, I suppose. I wished you would've notified me earlier, though. I'm not particularly fond of strangers in my home"
He suddenly focuses his full attention onto his kid sister, eyes beaming sharply, "Which you're aware of. And that's probably why you didn't tell me, did you?".
"Well, we gotta go. Gotta catch our flight, you know", Rachael says, rushing to place a kiss on his cheek, and then grabs her husband by the arm and drags him along. She waves at Seth, quickly leaving as he follows their footsteps.
"Wait, you haven't even-", the door is slammed shut, "told me if you even knew the sitter". He pouts, running a hand through his hand. He exhales deeply, frustrated, and directs his gaze at the small bunch of bags packed together.
"Why are you up?"
The little girl in her pajama's simply shrugs, pouting as she rubs a hand in her eye, wiping away the tears. Immediately, his heart aches and he picks Bella up.
"Let's get you back to bed. Mum and dad will be back soon, don't worry", he says sweetly as he makes his way the flight of stairs, heading upstairs.
"I don't like the sitter, uncle Seth", she mumbles.
He chuckles, "I think that makes two of us".
"She's mean. She won't even let me watch Family Guy"
"I think she may have a point there"
"Why?", she asks while Seth lays her down onto the soft, fuzzy mattress, battling her eyelashes endearingly at him. He smiles in response. She surely knows her way to manipulate him, tugging at the strings of his heart, that little monster.
"Because some people think you're too young to be watching such a thing".
"That's unfair"
"Ah, yes", he says as he pulls the covers over her, he then leans in to give her a kiss on the cheek, "Sweet dreams, kiddo".
"Sweet dreams, uncle Seth"
Just when he's about to exit the room, about to switch off the light, Bella asks him most innocently, "Uncle Seth?".
"Yes, Bella?"
"Will you sing me a lullaby?", she pulls the cover up to her chin, looking at her uncle with big, begging puppy eyes.
He sighs, smiling faintly nonetheless, "Yes". He slowly makes his way back and sits beside her, feeling his sore, fatigued body crack. But he abides, for this little girl who has stolen his heart.
"Close your eyes"
She does as told and closes her eyes, a joyous smile upon her face. He smirks back, moments before singing slowly, "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, have you any wool? Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bag full". He knowingly stops for the briefest of times, and straightaway, much to his own amusement, Bella opens a single eye, scanning her surroundings for her beloved uncle. She catches him to her side, lets out a small gasp and straightaway closes her eye again.
"I'm still here, sweetie", he says smoothly, his voice husk and deep, preparing for more to sing.
"One for my master and one for my dame. And one for the little girl who lives down the lane", he flicks his index finger gently against her nose, and she giggles, childish laughter filling the room, with eyes still firmly shut, "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, have you any wool? Yes, sir, Yes, sir, three bags full".He takes his time to sing the song, and when he finishes it, his little niece is fast asleep. Seth kisses her forehead before leaving, switching the light off with his mind set back onto work.