Hi friends! I am so sorry for not updating. Its been a really really long time I know. My life has been extremely hectic but I have lots of time in the next two weeks so hopefully I can update a lot.

ENJOY!

Chapter 5

NEAL POV

Once upstairs I saw Peter mercilessly throwing the luggage on my bed. He turned and scowled at me but I just laughed.

"Having fun there Peter?" He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.

"Where's Lena gonna sleep?" He asked, ignoring my question.

"June has an extra room down the hall that she can probably take." I explained. "God Peter. I hope she adjusts well. I mean for gods sake! Her mother just died! How-how am I supposed to fill that void?" I sank into the couch and put my chin on my hands in worry. Putting his hands on my shoulders, Peter stood behind me.

"Neal," he started, "I don't know why you are so worried about everything. You already are doing an amazing job and Lena loves you! You can't replace her mom but you sure as hell can be a great uncle."

"Thanks Peter but I can't help but feel that I'm gonna screw up somehow."

"Well if you keep thinking like that then maybe you will!" Peter scolded. I laughed and was about to say something when we heard a crash from below and "Sorry!" by Lena that quickly followed.

"I should probably get down there," I laughed but secretly I wanted to go down there just so I could see Lena again. God I love her.

…...

The downstairs kitchen was a mess when I got there. Somehow, cookie dough was on the ceiling, the counter, the sink, and Lena's hair. She looked up at me and smiled the Caffrey smile. The one that went 'What? You think this was me? I did nothing!' I laughed and shook my head.

"What happened here?" Peter asked in disbelief.

"Can't you tell? They were baking!" I picked up my niece and set her on my hip. "Did at least some of it get in your mouth?"

"Yes! It was really yummy! You were right! June's cookies are amazing! I wonder what she puts in them. Extra butter? Or maybe its sugar? Mommy said she put lots of love in hers. Does June put love in her cookies? Cus love makes everything better. I love love. Do you love love Uncle Neal? I bet you do. You have to because you love me! You love me don't you Uncle Neal? Because I love you! You are my favorite person in the world! Besides my bunny of course, and mommy." Lena rambled. "Neal! We made cookies!"

"Woah, woah Lena sweetie, calm yourself." I laughed. "Can I have some?"

"Yes! June! Neal wants some cookies!" Lena exclaimed to my kind landlady, who was currently smiling humorously at my niece and me.

"Well then we shouldn't keep him waiting!" June laughed and brought me a plate with decorated cookies on it.

"This one's for you! I made it special," Lena held out a cookie that said 'I love Neal'.

"And I love you right back sweetie." I kissed her forehead making her giggle.

"Neal," Peter said, breaking up the moment, "I'm going to give you this week off so you can get to know Lena better but I expect you at the office on Monday at 8 o'clock sharp."

"Thanks Peter! Say hi to El for me!"

…

PETER POV

When I got home El was waiting for me with dinner on the table.

"Hi hon," I said kissing her cheek.

"Hi hon," She responded, kissing my lips. "How's Neal doing?"

"He loves her so much El, its kind of amazing to witness. He is a natural parent, its unbelievable." I explained in awe.

"I figured he would be." El said knowingly. "He just has that thing about him."

"That thing?"

"Yeah. Sometimes you can just tell if someone is could with kids and I could just tell Neal would be." She explained. "I just feel bad for that child. Its going to be incredibly hard for her to grow up without a mother."

"Who knows maybe Neal will find a girl and she will become Lena's aunt!" Even though I meant it as a joke I couldn't help but wonder if Neal would finally move on from Kate and find someone.

…...

NEAL POV

It was well past midnight when I heard it, a small wail from down the hall. At first I had no idea who it could've been from but then I remembered the young person I had adopted and quickly ran out of my room. When I entered Lena's room I was heartbroken by what I saw. Lena was sitting up in bed, tears streaming down her face, and holding her bunny close to her chest.

"Mommy," she whimpered pitifully. I quickly ran over and hugged her.

"Sweetie, its okay," I whispered while rubbing her back.

"How-*hiccup*-is it ok-kay? Mommy is g-gone! I'm all alone!" She wailed into my chest.

"No! You have me! I will never leave you Lena." I whispered into her hair. "I love you."

"P-p-promise?" She cried.

"Promise."

"Forever?"

"Forever and ever."

"That's a long time," she giggled.

"I know it is," I responded calmly.

"Tomorrow can we go to the park?" Lena cutely asked. I kissed her forehead and responded:

"Of course."

"And then can we find my new school?" She said now on my lap and looking up at me.

"I would love to." I laughed. "What's your favorite subject?"

"Art! Mommy said I was really good at it."

"It's a Caffrey thing." I explained to her.

"Uncle Neal? Could you tell me a story?" She said, yawning.

"I would love to." I watched as she snuggled into me, tucking her head between my head and shoulder and grabbing her bunny, her safety net.

"Once a upon a time there was a princess named Lena. She loved to draw, paint, and play with her pet Bunny…."I told her the story of Princess Lena and her adventures in her beautiful kingdom until she fell asleep.

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3 Soccer Writer