Faith's POV-

The last couple of days had passed away in a Jiffy.After that argument between Chris and I, there was a constant awkwardness between us for some time but we had eventually sorted it all out.

He had apologized,so had I.We understood each other on those grounds and for the time being it was perfect.

"God,if Dave didn't have his business in Tennessee,I would have loved to move here too.Honestly,Faith this little town is so pretty.And,the house is fantastic."

Grace grinned and set the turkey in the microwave.Her and Dave had arrived last night with Lucas and baby Jordan.

Raiya had not let Lucas be alone for a moment since then.Those two were practically inseparable.It was amusing.

"I am glad you think so.You know,this house is actually Chris's dream house since they moved here.He had been saving to buy this one since college.Is'nt that adorable!"

I smiled and thought about it more.Christian Crawford was simply a very sweet, charming man.

"That's literally the sweetest thing.And to think that I was apprehensive about you marrying him.He is the guy for you sweetheart,I get it now."

My sister winked at me. I smiled at her.

"By the way,talking about sweethearts Jordan is literally looking like Lucas more and more every day. Remeber Lucas as a baby,that mole near the right ear and those grey eyes changing to blue and all. They look the same.Now, that's just so cute."

I glanced at my sleeping nephew.Aww.

"Yes, they all look alike.More like their dad.I am just happy Dave and I have you and now Raiya too.We might never have daughters but you are our baby too.And now thanks to Chris and you,we have Raiya.I hope you give us some more nieces and nephews though."

Grace grinned and placed the food in the casserole.I was amused.

My sister is literally the Mama Bear.

"This smells so good."

Tristan grabbed one cupcake from the Trey and gobbled it in one go.

I rolled my eyes.Where does the food go!This guy eats like crazy.

"This is sooo good.Damn,you girls know your way around the kitchen."

Then he looked at Grace.

"Hey sister in law,why haven't you told me about your gorgeous sister?"

I shook my head.

"Yes.A sister who is married.Have some shame idiot,her husband is outside."

Grace smiled and took the Trey outside leaving me with the idiot.

"So,how are things with dumb-dumb?Did he sort things out with you?"

Yeah. Tristan knows about the fight alright.

"Yeah.We are good.With the moving and Raiya's birthday,things are looking busy for us.Anyway,I wanted to talk to you about something very important."

He looked at me weirdly.

"Yeah.What?It's not usually you talk to me like that."

I sighed.

"Yeah, well.How was Rayanna?"

He looked quiet and then muttered something to himself.

"Why are you asking this,Faith?"

"Look,I just wanted to know.I mean, she is always going to be a big part of my life now,too and I barely know things about her.I tried to talk to Chris,he just won't tell me much.Nysa had some things to say,though."

He snorted a laugh.

"Yeah, wouldn't she!Let me tell you, they never got along.Nysa and Rayanna."

"I gathered that.I was just so surprised,Nysa is like really easy going."

"Yeah.She is.You see,when Chris started dating Rayanna,she was this overly polite,dainty, disciplined girl. Really sweet too if you ask me.A little uptight,but sweet at the same time.Things just got weird after they got married."

He looked like he was leaving out a lot of information but I understood.

"It's ok Tristan,you don't have to tell me more."

He smiled.

"Thanks Faith. I am sure Chris would tell you himself.Soon too."

I hope so too.

"Anyway,why don't you help me now? Could you take these cupcakes to the kids.They have been asking for it."

He grinned and took the plate.I shook my head.

"Don't eat those,Tristan.Leave those for the kids.They would literally kill you if you mess with their sugar. Atleast Lucas and Raiya would."

He just shrugged and still sneaked one cake and left the kitchen.

I laughed to myself. Crazy guy.

Once the food was all set,the picnic started.

We had opted for a small picnic out in our lawn along with our family.It was nothing very extravagant, because just one week from today it's Raiya's birthday and that one is going to be the grand one.

Chris, Grace and Daphne were helping me setting up the food. Henry and Julie were entertaining the kids, my
brother and Nysa were bickering and well Tristan and Dave were eating.

Chris sat beside me and smiled at our family enjoying the day.

"This turned out to be good. Thanks Faith, wouldn't have been possible without you."

I looked at him.

"This is our house,Chris.Are you thanking me for working on my own house warming party?"

He laughed.

"No.I was not.I am talking about this, the family. After Rayanna.. well, I wasn't very much of a party person to start with and then her passing away.."

He became quite and looked at Raiya grinning and eating her food as Lucas and Sonia cheered her for gobbling it all in a go. Kids would never listen.

"It's these little steps. You are taking them slowly and I am right here, beside you watching you don't fall."

I suddenly realised what I had said.He looked at me and grew all serious.

"Hey love birds, this is a family party.Dont just go wishpering among yourselves."

Nysa broke the tension and everyone laughed.

The moment had passed.

Why did I say that..

Chris's POV-

I kept quiet after that. It felt uncomfortable yet not in a weird way.

Faith kept laughing and trying to talk to everyone. She was also trying to get over what she had said.

I don't think it's a big deal though..

Anyway , my brother had just received a phone call and was smirking really wickedly.

Ok something is definitely up here.

Moose started barking loudly suddenly. All of us looked around to see another dog barking.

Raiya jumped and ran towards Tristan , the kids followed her.

"Is this the gift you were talking about Uncle Tris ? Another friend for Moose and I?"

What!

I looked at Faith. We just stared at each other.

We already have Moose and then Jack is also there.

Both of us got up. It was a Akita dog , looked about 6-8 months old.

I looked at Tristan.

Raiya and the other two kids were already snuggling the dog , even Moose was wagging his tail happily.

Jack on the other hand was hiding behind Moose.

"I thought it would be a nice idea for Raiya to have another dog. Big house , two dogs , a cat , now all you guys should have are 2-3 more kids. And then there we have , the perfect American family."

He was grinning at me. Asshole.

Faith shook her head.

But then she looked at Raiya..then the dog..

She then looked at me and I understood. We were keeping the dog , alright.

She then smiled and ruffled the puppy who barked loudly and licked her hands.

Moose and the puppy started running around and playing. Jack was now at the foot of my leg.

I picked him up.He meowed loudly.

"Ok..ok.We will keep him but what about this guy? He seems pretty apprehensive."

Faith smiled and gave Jack a little pet.

"This one will be alright. I know. All I need is a nice collar for the new puppy. Jack is in love with glittery collars..you see, the reason why Jack just fell in love with Moose was the golden collar.."

So that's it. Thats why.

Raiya ran back to me with both Moose and the puppy.

" So what are you going to name him?"

Faith asked Raiya who grinned at us.

" I want to name him... Bear.He looks like one, so cuddly and puffy."

"So Bear it is."

We took Bear and Moose with us.We took one of the extra dog bowls are gave some dog food to Bear.

Moose barked.

Faith giggled.

"Someone is jealous. Don't worry buddy ,I got you covered."

She gave Moose an affectionate pat and passed him a bowl too.

(Bear ❤️❤️)

We got back to our table. Raiya looked so happy and was thanking Tristan constantly.

" I can't believe she did not tell us she wanted another dog."

Faith whispered.

"I don't think she even knew it before she saw Bear. I will kill Tristan though , I mean Bear is adorable and I am already in love but idiot didn't even tell us."

" Does this sound anything like Tristan to you?"

"Nope. You are right."

I laughed.

The atmosphere was very light. Everyone was having so much fun.

And the food, wow. Faith and Grace had outdone themselves.

After the party was over the kids went to play with the dogs. Our families were enjoying some wine.

Faith and I were in the kitchen. She wanted to prepare some cupcakes as return gifts.

My wife is too formal.

" We had so much food , Faith. You really want to give away more."

She sighed and looked at me.

" Grace and I have baked more than enough cakes. Trust me, we would never be able to finish them. You don't eat much sugar , Raiya and I would never. Also, don't want to give her more sugar, not healthy."

Yes. She got one point.

She had her hair open..

Her finger elegantly moved over the boxes as she placed the cupcakes.

I didn't realise I was staring at her until she looked back.

" Are you okay, Chris?"

I gulped and I don't know why I removed a trace of hair that fell on her face.

My arms enclosed her waist as I pulled her closer to me.

"Chris?"

She whispered. I just placed a finger at her lips and moved it at her forehead.

"You have this ' V '. It always appears when you get surprised or anxious."

She just stared at me and smiled.

" I still have not figured out your eye color too."

" I think they are blue."

She giggled.

" I see green and brown too."

"Now , all I can see are those green eyes."

Her mouth opened to speak but I silenced her with a kiss.

The kiss was slow. I placed her gently on the kitchen counter and wrapped her legs around my waist.

Her fingers ran through my hair while mine caressed her back.

" Now now guys , I know I said you guys need to have 2-3 more kids to have that perfect American family but to start so soon , atleast not in the kitchen. You guys don't believe in christening every corner, do you?"

Tristan was grinning and staring at us. We broke apart as soon as we heard him.

Faith got off the country and took the cupcakes. She then looked at Tristan.

" You don't get these."

She huffed and left the kitchen with the packets but not before giving me a small smile.

" So ?"

My brother was winking at me.

" What! Honestly Tristan."

He just laughed.

" Sorry you got cockblocked."

I glared at him. He put his hands up.

" Alright sorry sorry. No more. But hey , looks like things are good right now."

I sighed.

" I don't know. Yes. I think, I mean she is beautiful."

" So you are just attracted to her."

"I don't know. I find her very mysterious .."

He laughed loudly.

"You find Faith mysterious? She is an open book bro. I think you both really should spend more time together. Now come on , everyone is leaving. Atleast say your goodbye , don't act like a bad host."

I rolled my eyes.

My parents left with Nysa. Then Tristan left with Daphne and Sonia. Grace and Dave were going to Jeremy' s house for the weekend. Grace still had some sorting out to do with him. They left Lucas with us though , the kid was having fun with the dogs and Raiya.

" Now come on kids, time for bed. Raiya , you don't have a problem with Lucas sharing your bed do you?"

She grinned.

"Not at all Mom. Come on Luc, I'll show you my action figures."

She pulled Lucas along with her who grinned and shouted at Faith.

" You have a cool daughter now, aunt Faith."

I broke out laughing. Faith just snickered.

"Your nephew is a character. "

"Lucas is special. He is like my baby. I knew Raiya and he would get along. Both of them are too much into comic books, Harry Potter and what not."

She blabbered.

"Faith?"

She looked at me.

" Today was perfect. And you look beautiful."

She smiled at me.

" Thank you. Now come on, let's get inside before they blow up the house with shouting."

Definitely.

And just like that things slowly started changing...

Sorry for the late update guys
I am having a major Writer's block.. don't know when the next one will be. I have so many ideas..and then scenarios..they are just all juggled up altogether.

I don't want to mess up the story and I also feel guilty about not writing more. I just hope to get over this phase soon.

Until then
WimpieKid
Love u all