Chapter 10 Good Morning from Summer

"Anyway, how was your sleep, Uncle? Did you sleep well too? I think so. Otherwise, there's no way you would have snored so loudly. Actually, I woke up because of it. I thought there was a frog near my ear, so I opened my eyes. Apparently, it was you! But I didn't mind you waking me up, because last night was a good night. I felt like I was sleeping with my own father! I will never forget that experience," Summer nodded with a beaming face.

Meanwhile, Louis took a deep breath. He never knew a toddler could speak so fluently and without a pause.

"Please don't misunderstand. I moved you here not because we're close, but because I'm a good person. I can't abandon a child. If the paparazzi recorded me, my good name would be ruined."

"What's a parapazi?" Summer asked through her pursed lips.

"Paparazzi," Louis corrected. "People who take photos secretly to share through the media. They usually aim their cameras at famous people. The people they photograph can suffer."

"Oh, that's a rude job. They should ask permission before taking someone's picture," Summer grumbled, putting her hands on her hips.

Louis snorted at that. "What's the difference between you and them? You ruined my proposal without asking permission. You were also rude."

"I'm different from parapazi. They harm you, but I don't. What I did was for your sake."

"For my sake?" Louis' eyebrows rose to press against his forehead.

Summer nodded. "Haven't you realized it yet? If you marry Miss Evans, you won't be happy, Uncle. She's not the one you love."

Louis sighed and closed his eyes. It was still too early to repeat last night's debate. His focus today was finding a way to return Summer to Sky.

"Summer, you're a good girl, right?" Louis asked coaxingly.

The toddler answered with sparkling eyes. "Of course! If there was an award for the best child in the world, I would have won it. I am smart and like to help people. I am also independent and rarely bother others, except for Mommy. Sometimes, I still need her help. But Mommy said, that's okay. I'm still too young to do everything by myself."

Louis nodded with a forced smile. "Good. Then can you prove it? Mind your own business and take care of yourself. I have to go to work now."

Summer smiled lopsidedly. Her index finger wriggled like a worm in front of her chin.

"Uncle Louis, you can't lie to me. It's Sunday. Aunt Emily said you guys never work on weekends. Saturday and Sunday are special times for yourself and your family. Since you're going to be my daddy, how about we spend time together today? We can go to a nearby tourist spot or play together at home. It'll be so much fun."

Louis froze for a moment. He forgot that the toddler was too smart to be tricked.

"I spent a lot of time preparing for the proposal. Some of my work got left behind. I have to take care of it today," Louis said flatly.

"I can help," Summer raised her hand confidently. "Even though I'm still young, I can read and write."

"Just being able to read and write isn't enough, Summer. You also need business knowledge and analytical skills."

Summer blinked innocently. "Then, I'll accompany you to work until you're done. I promise I won't be naughty. I'll just sit still while playing with my phone. I hope you don't mind sharing your office Wi-Fi password with me."

"You have a phone?" Louis' eyes widened. "Aren't you still too young? Why did Sky allow it?"

"It was my 4th birthday present. Grandpa bought it. Grandpa said I needed a phone so Mommy could keep an eye on me more easily. It has GPS in it. Mommy can track my position or call me if she can't find me. You know what, Uncle? Playing outside is more fun than playing inside the house. There are many new things we can learn in nature. Oh, Uncle, how about we exchange numbers?"

Suddenly, Louis smiled lopsidedly. "That's a great idea. I could give you my number, but you have to return your mother's passport first."

Summer's smile instantly wrinkled. Her eyelids drooped. Just as she was about to protest, Louis' phone rang. Louis grabbed it from the table.

"That must be Mommy!" Summer guessed.

Louis' eyebrows rose again. "How did you know?"

"Mommy has called you several times, but you didn't wake up. Actually, that's what made me sure that you were sleeping soundly."

"Why didn't you pick up?"

Summer shrugged. "Isn't it rude to pick up someone else's phone?" A second later, she leaned closer to Louis.

"What are you doing?" Louis asked, glancing at her with furrowed brows.

Summer looked up with her cheek pressed against Louis' arm. "I also want to say hi to Mommy."

After taking a resigned breath, Louis accepted the call. Sky's face immediately appeared on the screen. Before the woman could speak, Summer waved her hand.

"Good morning, Mommy. Did you sleep well? Uncle Louis and I slept well. You know what, Mommy? I fell asleep in the living room. But then, Uncle Louis moved me to this room. He also accompanied me to sleep. It turns out he is very kind. He's suitable to be my daddy. Oh, Mommy? What's wrong with your eyes? Why do you look like an owl?"

Sky made an annoyed expression. "Don't act like you don't know, Summer. Mommy can't sleep because of you. Where did you hide my passport?"

"You looked for it all night?" Louis inquired.

Sky nodded. "Yeah, and still no where to be found. Summer, this isn't funny. Stop fooling around and tell me where you hid it?"

Scratching her head, Summer chuckled. "Sorry, Mommy. I can't tell you yet. Uncle Louis still hasn't agreed to be my daddy."

Not wanting the atmosphere to turn awkward, Louis threw out a new question. "Have you looked everywhere? Unexpected places like inside the fridge, for example?"

Summer's laughter immediately filled the air. "Uncle, passport is not a food. Why keep it in the fridge? That's too ridiculous."

"Then where did you hide it?"

"Tell me that you want to marry Mommy first," Summer put on a spoiled expression.

"Summer?" Sky sighed in disbelief. "Why do you keep forcing Louis like that? It's not nice."

"I don't care, Mommy. I'll say where your passport is only after Uncle Louis agrees to be my daddy. But I think it will happen soon, Mommy. He has started to change his mind. Just this morning, he mentioned your name in his sleep. I think she's been missing Mommy too. It's just that he keeps it a secret."

While Sky winced in embarrassment, Louis froze. His eyes widened, staring at the door.

Grace was standing there! Her gaze was sharp as if she wanted to kill him.