"What's wrong?"
Kieran Russell walked over. He furrowed his brows at her bandaged foot, asking with genuine concern.
Ruby Rowland pursed her little lips and replied shyly, "I sprained it, but it doesn't hurt anymore."
"Didn't the doctor tell you to stay off that foot for a few days?" Vince Russell interjected.
Ruby defended herself in a tiny voice.
"I didn't put any weight on it."
She looked up at Kieran, her voice soft and sweet. "Kieran, I missed you so much."
Kieran scooped the little one into his arms with practiced ease, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"What a coincidence. I missed you too."
He ruffled her hair. Ruby threw her arms around his neck, her eyes curving into happy little crescents as she affectionately nuzzled against him.
Standing off to the side, Vince suddenly felt entirely superfluous.
"..."
He cursed inwardly. Somehow, they managed to make him feel like the outsider here.
