RDD 152
"Wow! Is this for weal? Gwandma, these things are mine?"
"Yes, my sweetheart. These gifts are from your grandfather and great-grandfather. Now thank them."
I smiled looking at Sophia who having fun with her grandmother. My mom, Leah Castillo, was holding cooking toys and assisting Sophia with her endeavor of frying a plastic egg.
Sophia was shocked when she realized that she had so many toys these days. A small bike, cute dresses, a pair of baby shoes that have lights, and of course barbie dolls.
"... Um, Gwandma, do I weally have to talk to them? They are scawy..."
Sophia whispered into her grandmother's ear. Indeed, my father and grandfather's appearance are quite striking. Their sharp gazes alone are scary.
Hearing Sophia's whisper, my Mom giggled and kissed the little girl's forehead.
"It's alright, they are good people."
"Hm." Sophia reluctantly nodded. Then stared at the two old men who were nervously waiting for her response.
Sophia wobbly stood up, her grandmother helped her. Yet instead of approaching the old men, she approached me first.
"Dajjy, take me to Gwandpa and Gweat-Gwandpa."
"Baby, they are just five meters away from you."
I said and glanced at the two old men. They were clearly sweating right now.
"I know, but they are scawy."
Well, five meters is quite a long distance for an almost 2 years old baby.
I chuckled and carried Sophia. I approached my father and grandfather so that Sophia could say her gratitude.
With her small hands clutching my shirt, Sophia looked at the two old men.
"Thank you for giving me toys!"
"Hm, it's alright. As long as you are happy." Ernesto nodded. Satisfied with the outcome.
"Sophia, can you call me Great-Grandpa again?" My grandfather decided to take this chance to talk to Sophia.
"Yesh, Gweat-Gwandpa!"
Hearing the kid's response, my grandfather started laughing.
Sophia decided to extend her hands and Grandfather Bradley was confused at first.
"Cawwy!"
"Hm?"
"Grandpa, Sophia wants you to carry her. Her pronunciation is still not perfect considering that she's still a baby."
"Haha, of course of course!"
Grandfather Bradley agreed and accepted Sophia. Sophia was not afraid this time, she let her great-grandfather embrace her.
The two started talking about many things. Even though Grandfather Bradley didn't have a granddaughter before and this was his first time talking to a baby girl, he did his best to entertain Sophia.
Sophia started talking about her toys, about her 'pwincess Aria'. She talked about Charlotte as well. Grandfather Bradley just kept nodding his head, listening to the little girl's babbling. Still, the smile on his face was obvious.
As for my own father, I turned to him and I saw him smiling bitterly. Clearly, my father is jealous. However, he knew that his position in this situation was in peril. He just apologized to Penelope and he was not sure if their relationship was fixed in this outcome.
In fact, even I was not sure about my wife's feelings. I looked at the kitchen where my wife resides right now. I wanted to help her make dishes but she said that I had to stay and talk to my family.
In the end, I agreed with her decision. Penelope needed time to be alone and think about the situation.
"..."
Knowing that my father was jealous of Sophia and Grandfather Bradley having fun, I decided to lead him to Roman.
"Dad, how about you teach Roman how to ride a bike."
"That's a good thing."
My father realized that I was trying to help him. With that signal, he stood up and approached Roman. However, my son immediately turned him down.
"It's fine. I don't need someone to teach me. I know how to ride a bike."
Roman didn't bother talking and showed the truth. Roman approached the bike that my father gifted to him and rode it with no problem.
My father was standing sadly as he realized that his grandson didn't want to play with him. With a sigh, he turned around to leave.
"Grandpa..."
Roman stopped pedaling and called his grandfather.
My father looked at Roman.
"Thanks for the bike."
Roman returned to playing with his bike, acting like nothing happened.
My father looked at me before smiling. He shook his head and said.
"Your kids are just like you. Well, they are cute."
"Dad, I know what you're doing. You're trying to talk to me to fix our relationship. I know how you do things."
As if I will fall for his tricks.
"Ahem." My father coughed and felt embarrassed.
"Well, they are indeed cute."
I agreed with my father this time.
"Your grandfather is very shameless. He even said that half of the gifts are from him."
My father, Ernesto Castillo, was grumbling about grandfather Bradley, who was his father. Truly a terrifying father and son pair.
"Dad, you're just jealous that Grandpa is playing with Sophia."
"Me? Nah, I'm not that childish. I believe once the kids get used to me, they will let me play with them."
... His ambitions were quite low.
"Anyway Keith, what's your job this time? I think we need to talk about it. I have a new company, it's still in the initial stage but it has a good future. How about it--"
"Dad, it's alright. You don't have to worry about us. I'm doing fine."
"This kid... are you getting stubborn again?" He frowned.
"What? Of course not. What I'm trying to say is that my family is doing fine because we have a good business. My burger shop is doing well."
"Burger shop? That's not bad. Then why don't you make another shop? I know a good location."