Chapter 1


The bell rang at the school indicating that its time for them to pack up and go home.

The petite girl with a cute long hair in ponytails, ivory skin, rosy soft cheeks and bright soft brown eyes hurriedly pack her things. There's a sweet lovely smile on her lips that even her classmates cant help but wander what happiness is inside of her head.

'Ai Yim! Are we going to the bookstore?' Rune asked her friend.

Yim smiles at her and told her friend in a cheery voice, 'Sorry Ai Rune. I'm heading home now! My uncles are there! Sorry gotta go!'

And even before Rune can answer Yim was out of their classroom in a flash.

Yim is excited.

Super excited!

Why?

Its Perth's birthday, her little brother is turning 7 years old and it would only mean one thing - family gathering!

Its been so long since she saw them.

She pedal faster and the elders who knew the petite girl who pedals like a boy shook their head with a sweet smile on their lips.

N'Yim took after her favorite uncle, boyish in some ways. It warms their heart that the girl is full of bright laughter, she's like the sunshine of their village. She's friendly, sweet, kind, gentle yet sometimes unladylike especially when someone tries to bully her. She's not from 'that family' if one can just easily bully her.

She came from the family of a strong household.

She smiles when she saw a familiar Mercedes-Benz parked outside her grandmother's restaurant.

She pedals faster and parks the bike hastily, runs inside and shouted, 'Ar Pete!'

Yim runs so fast and hugs the man who opens his arms to her.

'I miss you!' N'Yim actually jumps to Pete and Pete catches her while hugging her tight.

'N'Yim! You're going to topple Pete!' she heard the voice from Pete's back and saw her other favorite uncle steadying the back of Pete. More like holding Pete's waist in a possessive and protective manner.

Yim only grins and sniff kiss Pete's cheek and told in a sweet honey voice, 'But N'Yim misses her Ar Pete so so so much. Its been years-'

'Oi! It's been 3 weeks only!' Ae cut her off.

'Fine 3 weeks! I miss you Ar Pete!'

'You miss him? Huh?! Says the little girl whose always messaging him day and night-'

Yim gasped dramatically, 'Not true-'

Pete chuckles and let the niece and uncle have their little battle. Pete saw Nut and Oh shaking their head.

'N'Yim get down. You're a big girl now. Pete cant carry you anymore. Act like a proper lady,' Ae said in a stern voice.

Yim gets down but with a pout and a smirk, 'Hmp! Ar Ae, you're just jealous. You just don't want me or anyone touching Ar Pete.'

Before Ae can retort to that Ae's parents laugh so loud, they turn around and saw that they're back from the temple with Perth on their hand.

'Ai Ae! It looks like Yim got you there! Hahaha!'

Ae rolls his eyes and cross his arms to his chest. Pete smiles and whisper something in his ear that made Ae grins and pinch his soft cheeks with affection.

'Okay. Stop. I don't want to see you guys doing a public display of affection cause I'll be jealous!' Yim said and turn her head with a hmp! and went to hug Perth.

'P'Oh - what happen to my little sweet niece?'

'She grew up Ae. And when I said she grew up - she took most of your traits and Nut. Think about what I'm going through!' Oh said which earns him a jab from his wife.

The whole family laughs and N'Yim smiles.

She loves her family.

She loves them so so much, especially her Ar Pete.

Ar Pete - Pitchaya or Ai Koon Chai - the endearment they all know by heart by now is her Ar Ae's husband or wife as the later calls him when they are doing some silly things. They've been married for several years now and both are living happily in an apartment Pete's mother bought for them as a gift.

Her Ar Ae is so much a prideful man that he keeps on insisting no when she heard Putcharapon's word to her uncle: 'Am I not your mother too? I want both of you to settle in your own comfort zone. I hate it that you travel back and forth to two different apartments when both of you can just live in one. And Ae… I want you to always care for Pete. He might vanished again you know.' Putch added that as a teasing note but Yim knew that Pete's mother won that battle when she saw her Uncle's shocked face turned determined and frown at the notion of Pete vanishing again.

And when she saw the face of her uncle, she knew that there's no second question or any hesitation. She remembers all too well the grief of her Ar Ae when Ar Pete was taken away by the giant airplane. Ae will always cry and stay in his room while touching his ring finger and then crying again. There was nothing that can brighten his mood.

But after 3 years of loneliness, she saw once again the bright laughter and glow of her Uncle because Pete came back. Pete came back to her Ar Ae.

Now they are back together, she can see the glow of happiness in her uncle's eyes. Its like the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

What's the best was she become the princess of the two household.

Her Ar Pete's mother Putcharapon hugs her and told her, 'I don't have a daughter and Pete now is a grown up man and is being taken care of your Ar Ae - would it be okay if I spoiled you?'

Putcharapon will always brought her gifts and so was Ar Pete's grandmother. They always - the two family - celebrates special holidays in Ar Pete's hotel.

But today, as this is Perth's 7th bday, they will celebrate it within the family first. They dont want to disturb Putcharapon for a small occasion.

And because Pete now is part of the celebration, the simple feast becomes grander for he asked his Par Jiew to cook for them. There's lots of delicious food, shrimps, bake cookies, short cakes and a cute chocolate fondue. And Putcharapon and Pete grandmother sent out so many small bears that almost filled the room. There was a giant gift wrap in the corner with a note: 'Happy Birthday dear Perth ~ Loving you always, your great grandma.'

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Night time.

'Happy Birthday to You ~ Happy Birthday to You ~ Happy Birthday Dear Perth… Happy Birthday to You… yey!'

'Perth blow the candles now…'

Perth smiles and blows the candles.

The family claps and each one settles down.

'N'Yim, how's your school?' Pete asked her. Pete has always been the gentlest and sweetest uncle ever. Pete will always asked her how was her school, did anyone bully her, did anyone made fun of her, or did she made friends, how was her grades and all and if there's anything he can help her. Pete is always ready to give his time to her.

Yim smiles and settles to seat beside Pete which made Ae growls. This made Yim giggles, she likes seeing her Ar Ae jealous. Its so funny. She's her niece but he's jealous of her getting close to Ar Pete. She remember before that Ae keeps on saying that she cannot hug Pete so much. She didn't know it before, but Ae doesn't like Pete being touched by anyone, and the only one allowed to even kiss or hug Pete is him. Talk about an idiotic possessive boyfriend/husband.

She likes seeing Ae's expression and Pete's too so she does stick close to Pete. 'Ar Pete its fun at school. I have ton of friends but a few close friends…'

'N'Yim is there any guys closing in to you?' Ae asked leaning on to Pete so that she can see his face, if no one knew her Ar Ae, this face is a man who is mad, angry, threatening her - but to those who knew Ae - there's only concern, love and gentleness in those eyes and features.

Yim smiles brightly and told him, 'Nope! No boys are! They are kinda afraid of me or something. I heard that some boys think of me boyish and some says I have uncles not to be messed with,' Yim grins when she saw Ae blushed and so was Pete and her father Oh.

Nut and her grandma giggles while her grandpa shook his head with a smile.

When Yim enters her 7th grade many have seen the change in her. From when she's a cute little girl turn into a tall petite beauty of 13 years. Yim inherits her mother's beautiful flowing light brown hair, cool brown eyes and soft features. But Oh groans when as growing up, Yim inherits most of her Ar Ae's boyish character and loves of football. Her Ar Ae is Chelsea while she supports Manchester United. Ae loves it when they argued a lot regarding football.

At the first week of her school, Nut told the guys in her family that Yim have several young boys looking at her and whispering that she's so pretty and that they would like her to be their girlfriend. Many boys argued who will go out with her first. Nut was happily telling it to the boys without knowing the dark ominous aura surrounding the men.

So without talking to one another. One by one the men sets out.

First it was Ae.

Ae was waiting for Yim to finished her class when he heard the boys talking about her outside the school gate. Ae grits his teeth and in a low menacing voice, 'N'Yim is my niece. If I heard one of you bothering her - you will see this face every second of your life.'

The boys gulped down and turn around. Ae's face was still the same but with age comes the features that most boys will be scared off. Ae at college already has a fierce harsh features. Though it tone down whenever Pete is with him - without Pete and when Yim is concern, he reverts back to his old glowering look. Eyebrows that is consistently frowning, you think he just killed a lion; dark skin, tall height and what's scary is the big muscular body.

Second to visit was a beautiful angel.

Some of the boys who wasn't there at the first day and who never met Ae was waiting in the corner of the school gate when Pete heard them talk about how they will surprise Yim and then asking her out and some of the boys plans about a bad guy approach so that the other can save her. Pete then chuckles and the boys turn around. All boys have their jaw drop seeing a very beautiful handsome man with a gentle smile on his face. It was so majestic as if they witness a miracle, even his voice is sweet like honey, but they all shiver when they understand the words the angel was saying, 'N'Yim is my niece. I love her and will protect her at all cost. If you are planning to accost her, then I have no choice but to call the police and have you all arrested. Would you like me to call them now? My uncle is currently the Phan Tam Ruad Tri ~ Major Superintendent. Do I have to dial his number or you guys will not approach my niece anymore?'

The third day was different. There were a few guys who are waiting for Yim to come. They feel lucky. The competition today was low. They saw on the first day there were lots of boys so they back out. The second day they also back out seeing that they cant compete with them - but lucky them. It seems today Yim will leave early.

They were about to call her when a voice; loud, clear and strong calls out first: 'N'Yim! Your paw is here!'

The boys all turn around slowly to the man who towers them and while waving with a smile, the words that came out of his mouth have them quivering and having a nightmare for a few days,'That's right. I'm her father. Naai Oh. Tell this to all the boys who thinks they can approach my girl - I will have all of you buried in the paddy field and your head sticking out. So scram now while I'm being nice. You don't want her grandfather talking - he is a retired officer with guns still loaded.'

And the rest is history.

No boys dare to approach Yim.

She found that out much much much later. And she laughs out loud. She loves her uncles and Paws so much but 80% they are over protective. But she loves their protectiveness. She always feel safe and so much cherish.

'Oh! Perth made a friend! '

'Really?' all of them look at the youngest who blushed and growl at her sister.

'Really sweetheart? You made a friend?' Nut asked her youngest. It may sound weird to some but Perth is very different to Yim and Ae.

Where both are active and straight forward in their answer and sometimes brash, Perth is the exact opposite.

He is a quiet boy - but this is not because he doesn't care. It's more like he is observing them. He observes people and he is careful to what to say. Perth at a young age has a deep sense of empathy and he is very sensitive. Perth is easily hurt that's why he doesn't have any friends. Not physical hurt, but emotionally hurt. Some kids are very harsh and Perth is a very shy kid.

'Perth?'

Perth blushes and in a small voice, 'Saint… P'Saint.'

'P?' Oh asked.

Yim nodded, 'Yes Paw. It seems Saint came from China and is very new here in Thailand, so instead of enrolling in a higher grade, he's enrolled to a lower grade to learn Thai.'

'What are they like? Is she beautiful?'

Perth blushes again and nodded, 'He is beautiful Paw. And he is a boy not a girl. P'Saint is good to me.'

Yim supplied the details to her family, 'Ai Saint is very beautiful Paw! Like a china doll. I thought Perth was talking to a doll at first but then the doll moves and laughs!'

'How did the two of you become friends?' Pete asked with a gentle smile and a gentle hand on the little boys smaller ones. Pete knew how shy Perth can be, he is just like him. It takes time to say the things he wanted to say.

'He… he saves me…'

'Huh? Did someone bully you?,' Ae asked in a angry voice which made Perth flinch with fright.

Pete touches Ae's arm, 'Shhh… let's listen to Perth. I think its not like that…'

Ae nodded.

They waited for Perth to speak up, 'I… I was walking to the classroom when I slide, there was water and my books got soaked… some… some kids laugh and P'Saint - errr - P'Saint smack their heads with his fist. And shouted at them. They're about to cry when P'Saint said: 'Are you going to cry like a baby?' then he approached me... and he helped me dry my books… and then… I was called in the classroom to recite, but the books are… prints are faded… He moves closer to my chair and lend me his book. And then he started talking to me more and we - we eat lunch together.'

'Wow! That's amazing Perth! You must bring your friend here next time so we can thank him properly,' Nut said and all nodded.

Perth nodded shyly but is happy. He can spend more time with his P'Saint.

'Ar Pete… will you sleep here tonight?'

Pete gave her a beautiful smile, 'Would N'Yim like to sleep in our room?'

Ae shook his head to let his niece say no but of course this is N'Yim.

With a beautiful smile, 'Yes Ar Pete. I have lots and lots to tell you.'

Pete smiles and nodded, 'Then I will stay here. I have lots and lots to tell you too.'

Ae then bangs his head on the table and grips Pete's thigh a little tightly - sending a silent signal : "I will punish you… later…"

Pete only smiles while eating his cake.

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TBC


Author's Note:

This is a work of fiction:
Any resemblance to any real people – names, characters and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously (living, dead, or stolen by fairies), or to any real animals, gods, witches, countries, and events (magical or otherwise) is just blind luck, or so I hope.

Again, this is FICTION. Not intended to create a war or any conflict.

When thinking of an adult Ae ~ Qaltaqa from Mother's Spirit keeps on flashing on my mind. According to the novel, Ae grew taller - taller than Pete though he is still dark but more muscular… Qaltaqa fits the image I have in him. :)

Please forgive my THAI HONORIFICS, if there's something wrong or something grammatically incorrect, please let me know so I can revised it again :) I am very new to Thai language and how to use them.

I want to say thanks to OPALD - she's awesome! I got Perth & Saint's personality base on her astrology talk :) I LOVE HER :) Please read her works - its amazingly wonderful.

I hope you enjoy the first chapter :)

There would be more. :)