We stayed untilte, and Ava''s eyelids were already fighting to stay open. I quickly bid farewell to everyone, intending to take the two little ones hto rest. However, Ava refused to leave, no matter what.


    "I don''t want to go. Uncle As said we should wait for him to cback." Ava stubbornly looked at me, pouting.


    "Uncle As may have urgent matters to attend to and could be back veryte. He may not be able to cto pick us up. You and Jenny have school tomorrow." "No! Uncle As keeps his promises. I believe he''ll cto pick us up!" She avoided my hand and ran away, saying, "I want Uncle As to pickup!" It was clear that she was starting to get sleepy and uncooperative.


    I felt somewhat helpless. This child had been spoiled. When I took care of her alone, she was obedient. But now she seemed too reliant on the pampering.


    All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Just as I was about to take a firmer stance, the doorbell rang. Ava immediately eximed and ran to the door, "Uncle As? Uncle As is back!" She ran to the door, tiptoed to open it, and then eximed, "Uncle As! I knew you''d keep your word! I''ve been waiting for you! Let''s go hnow!" As had a warm expression as he picked her up. "Of course, I keep my promises. Let''s go home." I looked at As with a wry smile. "You''re the one who spoiled her! She''s bing difficult to handle now." "She''s not a puppet. Ava is a thoughtful child, right?" As said indulgently, pinching her little nose.


    "Yes! I''m very smart!" She replied, her blinking slowing down.


    I turned and picked up the somewhat sleepy Jenny. Since she cto my house, I have also treated her like a daughter.


    Jenny was older than Ava and a bit heavier. By the twe got downstairs, I was a bit exhausted.


    Seeingstruggling, Asughed and quickly took Jenny from me. "I''ll help. Let''s go together." Jenny understood and said, "I can walk by myself. I''m grown up now." "I will carry you." As never treated Jenny any differently, earning my sincere respect.


    Jenny smiled pleasantly and said, "Thank you, Uncle As." Ava had already fallen asleep on his shoulder. It was clear that she had been persistently waiting. She just knew he would cback for her.


    As had never broken his word to Ava.


    Back home, my mom and Molly were waiting. Seeing As carrying both kids, Molly quickly took Jenny. "Hey, why didn''t you walk by yourself? Why are you letting Mr. As carry you?" Jenny looked at Molly as if she had done something wrong.


    "I carried her downstairs, but I couldn''t carry her anymore by the twe got down." Iughed and exined to Molly, "Don''t blher. She''s just like Ava." As smiled and quickly picked up Jenny. "I''ll take you back to your room." The two kids hadn''t taken a bath yet. Jenny was already so tired, and Ava slept so soundly that she didn''t even wake up when I helped her undress.


    After washing up and lying in our bed, I asked As, "Do you really like children?" He certainly knew what I meant by asking this question. He pulledcloser, saying, "When I was young, my father and mother treated Ste andequally. After being rescued, they treated us both as their own.  "The sgoes for Rose. In those years with the Beringer family, I was treated the sas Ardie and Arnold. Many people showedgreat kindness, which is why I am Lam et where I am today. I have no reason not to reciprocate."  He looked atseriously. "Besides, Ava is your daughter, which makes her my daughter too." "Is the Ste you mentioned the real Ste?" I cautiously asked.


    "Yes, our families have always been together. So Ste grew up in the Pierce family. After our parents passed away, Aunt Hailey took care of us. But it was only for two el months..." As''s voice sounded a bit mncholic.  I could clearly feel that his voice becdeeply affectionate whenever As mentioned the real Ste.