CHAPTER 133: LITTLE GIRLFRIEND

After getting Cassidy’s approval, Claire turned to Zeke and asked him to help her cut a slice of the blueberry cake.

Zeke helped her, carefully slicing a piece and placing it on a small plate before handing it to Claire. She took it with a happy smile and sat beside him.

Meanwhile, Loreine, who had been standing nearby, looked surprised the moment she heard Claire call Zeke Daddy. Her eyes kept darting between the three of them—Cassidy, Claire, and Zeke, still processing everything she had just seen and heard.

Not wanting to disturb them, Loreine quietly stepped away, giving them some privacy. Deep down, she hoped Elise would wake up soon from her afternoon nap, so she could see that what she had always wished for wasn’t just a dream after all, but something real.

After finishing her blueberry cake, Claire tugged on Zeke’s hand and pulled him toward the front yard. "Let’s go play tag, Daddy!"

But after only a few minutes, she stopped, crossed her arms, and frowned.

"It’s not fun with just two people, Daddy," she said with a pout. "At preschool, I play tag with lots of friends. That’s way more fun."

Zeke frowned. "Not fun?"

"What if we ask Uncle Nolan and his friends to join?" Claire suggested excitedly.

Zeke eyes then landed on Nolan, who was standing not too far away, watching them quietly. Wanting to give her everything she wanted, Zeke nodded in agreement.

"Nolan," Zeke called, motioning with his index finger for him to come closer.

"Yes, sir?" Nolan replied, folding his hands behind his back, ready for orders.

Nolan, who had been standing straight and steady stiffened for a second, then shifted awkwardly, unsure if Zeke was serious. Did he hear that right?

"Call two of the bodyguards over," Zeke said. "You and the other two will play tag with us."

His lips twitched slightly before he replied, "Understood, sir."

He turned and called over two other bodyguards, explaining what they were about to do.

Their reactions weren’t much different from Nolan’s. They were clearly surprised, but they all knew their job. Besides protecting and watching over their boss, it also meant doing whatever he asked—even if that included playing tag.

"Catch me, Daddy!" Claire squealed as she ran off, giggling, while Zeke chased after her.

They played for over an hour. At first, Nolan and the two bodyguards felt awkward chasing after their boss, unsure how to act. But after a while, maybe it was Claire’s contagious excitement, they began to forget their roles and just enjoyed the game.

When they finally stopped, breathless and smiling, Claire turned to them and said brightly, "Let’s play again another time, okay?"

All three responded in unison, "Yes, young miss."

Cassidy then helped Claire change out of her sweat-soaked clothes. Just as she finished, Loreine stepped in and informed them, "Elise is awake from her afternoon nap."

"Grandma’s awake?" Zeke asked, his voice softening with a trace of anticipation.

Loreine nodded with a gentle smile. "She just woke up. But I haven’t told her you’re here. I figured you’d want to surprise her, so I didn’t say anything."

He gave a small nod with a thankful smile. "Thank you, Loreine."

He turned to Cassidy and Claire, looking at the little girl in her arms. "I’m going to see Grandma first. I’ll come get you both after, so we can surprise her together, okay?"

Cassidy smiled and gave a light nod. "Go ahead."

Zeke walked down the hallway and stopped in front of Elise’s door. He took a breath, then knocked gently.

"Come in," came the soft, familiar voice from inside.

He pushed open the door slowly.

The moment Elise saw Zeke standing there, her eyes widened slightly before softening. A radiant smile spread across her face. "Zeke," she said, her voice full of disbelief and joy. "What are you doing here?"

Zeke smiled, his grin just as bright as Elise’s. Maybe it was because this time, he was finally going to introduce Claire to her. That thought alone filled him with happiness, especially knowing how much his grandmother had always dreamed of having a great-grandchild from him.

"I wanted to surprise you, Grandma. Aren’t you happy to see me?" he asked, walking closer to her bed.

Elise gave a small laugh. "Of course I’m happy, Zeke. And surprised too. When did you get here?" she asked, gently squeezing his hand as he sat down at the edge of her bed.

"Not long. I arrived while you were still napping."

"You look happy, my boy. Different from the last time you came." Elise reached up and gently touched Zeke’s face, her eyes full of curiosity. "Is there good news?"

"Do I really look that happy?" Zeke asked, genuinely curious. As far as he knew, his expression wasn’t that different.

"You’re glowing. Just look at yourself—you’ve been smiling non-stop since you walked in. That’s not like you at all," Elise said, teasing. "Tell me, do you have a girlfriend? Is that why you’re glowing like this?"

Zeke let out a quiet laugh at her question. "Well, your guess might be right," he said playfully, a hint of mystery in his tone. "I do have a little girlfriend. And I brought her here to meet you."

Elise’s eyes sparkled. "So I was right? You do have a girlfriend? And you came all the way here to introduce her to me?"

Zeke nodded.

"Where is she? I want to see her!" Elise said eagerly as she began to move, about to get out of bed.

Zeke quickly stopped her. "Wait right here, Grandma. I’ll go get her," he said with a soft smile before stepping out of the room.

Not long after, Zeke returned, holding Claire’s hand.

Elise frowned for a second when she saw that the "little girlfriend" he mentioned was quite literally a little girl.

But knowing Zeke, she quickly caught on and smiled. "And who is this lovely young lady?"

For a moment, she thought Claire must be the daughter of the woman Zeke was dating. That would make sense—Zeke had mentioned a little girlfriend, after all. And Elise had never minded the idea of him dating a woman who already had a child. As long as Zeke was happy, that was enough for her.

Claire waved her tiny hand politely. "Hello, Granny Elise. My name is Claire."

"Claire? What a beautiful name."

"My mommy gave it to me," Claire said proudly.

"Well, your mommy has excellent taste," Elise replied warmly.

Claire smiled and said, "Of course."

"Did you come here with your mommy too?" Elise asked gently.

Claire nodded.

"Is she waiting outside?"

Another nod from Claire, then she added sweetly, "Daddy said I should meet you first, Grandma. Before Mommy."

Elise blinked. "Daddy?" she repeated, confused.

"Yeah, Grandma. Daddy, tell her you’re the one who said that," Claire said, turning to Zeke with innocent eyes.

Elise’s smile faltered. Her breath caught slightly in her throat as her gaze moved slowly between Claire and Zeke.

"Wait... what did she just call you?" she asked, voice softer now, almost a whisper.

***