It was nearing Christmastime and also John's birthday. Aleisa was at home taking the time to clean the house as having an active almost 2 year old didn't leave much time to do so. Edmund had volunteered to take John out for the evening so the two of them could do some shopping 'in secret'. Of course John, who loved his uncle to no end, was thrilled with the ideas of being a big kid and keeping secrets. The sound of the door opening caught her attention from her spot in the kitchen. Aleisa quickly toweled her hands and made her way towards the entryway where she spotted Edmund and her son bundled up in winter gear.
"Mama!" John shouted in delight as he raced towards his mother with open arms. Aleisa chuckled and bent down to snatch him into her arms.
"Hi John." She greeted, placing multiple kisses across his cheeks, earning giggles from him.
"I'm fine thanks for asking." Edmund huffed good-naturedly from where he was standing in the doorway. Aleisa rolled her eyes and walked over to pat his cheek fondly.
"Hi Edmund." She retorted with a grin. Once he had shut the door behind him Aleisa glanced around noticing the absence of something important.
"I thought you said you were going shopping? Where are the bags or did you just walk around for nothing?" she inquired, looking up at Ed curiously. Ed furrowed his eyebrows in confusion before jumping.
"Oh right, well you can't see them so I have to hide them. John do you remember what your job is?" he asked the boy, still in Aleisa's arms.
"Dis..dijact mama." John supplied, stumbling over the word a bit. Edmund stared at John a moment longer as if waiting for something. John gasped in remembrance and he placed his little hands haphazardly across his mother's eyes. The two adults laughed as John urgently tried to prevent his mother from spotting the gifts that hadn't even come into the building yet.
"Why don't we go hang out in the kitchen while uncle Ed takes them inside?" she suggested, reaching up to pry John's hands from her face. Edmund chuckled in agreement before heading back out to do just that. Aleisa carried John into the kitchen and set him on the counter top while she dug around for something he could snack on, being sure to remain an arms reach away from the boy.
"Did you have fun with Uncle Ed?" she questioned with a grin. John nodded happily.
"Yea and Way come to." He chirped, his R's sounding more like W's. Aleisa paused and looked at him curiously. Edmund didn't mention anyone tagging along with them.
"Ray? Who's Ray?" she asked, setting down the plate she had pulled out.
"She's his fwiend." John answered, grinning as if nothing was wrong. Aleisa's eyes widened even more at the word 'she'.
"Ray is a girl?" she asked excitedly. Edmund had never mentioned this person before and she had a few guesses as to why. John nodded.
"Is she pretty?" she continued. John smiled shyly, which was the only answer she needed.
"Alright you can come out now." Edmund called from the living room. Aleisa grinned deviously and set John on the ground, tugging him along after her. When she entered Edmund had his back to them, handing up his coat and scarf.
"So I put it all in John's closet, just tell Peter and he can take care of it for you so you can be surprised." Edmund instructed. As he turned around he froze, eyeing the grin on her face.
"What?" he asked cautiously.
"So….Ray, you've never mentioned her before." She pointed out. The color drained from Ed's face and he immediately stared down at John in alarm.
"John! I thought we were keeping that a secret?!" he gasped in a strangled voice. John scrunched his face up as he tried to remember that.
"I sowwy." He mumbled, looking down at his feet. Edmund sighed, instantly guilty.
"It's fine John, I just didn't want your mama to know." He groaned, flopping onto the couch and burying his head in his hands. Aleisa giggled and quickly sat down beside him.
"Spill." She ordered. Edmund stared at her incredulously.
"Spill what?" he avoided. Aleisa pursed her lips and poked him hard in the chest. Edmund flinched and reached up to rub the sore spot.
"Tell me now." She ordered again but Edmund was stubborn. Aleisa poked him hard again, getting hism to recoil away from her.
"This is the last time, tell me on your own or I'll have to start questioning my son for details." Edmund groaned, knowing she was going to find out anyway.
"She's just some girl I've been talking to, its not a big deal." He shrugged, but by the flush of his cheeks Aleisa knew he was lying about that part.
"John tells me she's pretty." Edmund's lips quirked up as he tried to hold back a grin.
"What's she like?" Aleisa watched him intently, the smile never leaving her face.
"Her name is Raelyn, she has red hair, striking grey eyes. She's shy but once you get to know her she's funny and witty. I like her a lot." Ed rambled, trying not to seem overzealous about. Aleisa smiled and looked down at her son who had sat down at her feet.
"I think Uncle Ed wants to kiss her." she whispered theatrically. John giggled loudly.
"He did." He whispered back behind his hands. Edmund whined and desperately wished the couch would swallow him whole.
"It was on the cheek!" he quickly defended before Aleisa could get all worked up.
"Can we drop it now?" Ed pleaded, shooting her puppy dog eyes. She pouted but agreed to his request.
"Fine but once you're up to it feel free to bring her by. I want to meet her." she insisted. With that she stood and walked back into the kitchen once more, to finish getting those snacks she had left earlier. Edmund sighed and stared down at John.
"Sure, you remember 'distract' and to keep quiet about the presents but you squeal on me?" he asked dryly. John just shrugged his shoulders. It wasn't his fault the adults asked so much of him. Edmund barked out a laugh and scooped the boy up before following Aleisa.