She got up not long after, wiping her hands lightly as Roe continued sulking in his chair, his tiny arms still crossed like the world had personally wronged him.
"Come on," Valerie said, glancing at him. "Let's go see it before you change your mind again."
That got him moving.
He slid off the chair with a small huff, still pretending to be upset as he trudged after her, but his steps were already faster than before.
Valerie led them through the back of the house, pushing open the glass door that opened into the garden. The morning air greeted them softly, cool and fresh, carrying the faint scent of trimmed grass.
They walked a little further—
Then through another smaller gate that led into the adjacent plot.
Roe was still pouting.
Still dragging his feet.
Still muttering something under his breath—
Until—
He saw it.
He froze.
Completely.
Valerie stopped a step behind him, already knowing that reaction was coming, but even she—
Her breath hitched slightly.
The bounce house wasn't just big.
It was ridiculous.
Massive enough to take up almost the entire plot, its bright colors stretching wide and tall, towering in a way that made it look less like a child's toy and more like some kind of inflatable fortress.
Beside it—
A huge pool shimmered under the sunlight, the water clear and inviting, reflecting soft ripples across the ground.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then—
Victor let out a low whistle from the side. "Damn… money really does talk."
Valerie didn't respond.
Because honestly—
What was there to say?
Roe was still staring.
Then suddenly—
A sharp, high-pitched shriek tore out of him.
"WAAAAHHH!!"
The next second, Victor laughed and swooped in, hoisting him up like he weighed nothing.
"Let's test it out, huh?" he grinned.
"WAI—!"
Too late.
He launched him straight onto the bounce house.
Roe landed with a soft thump—
Then bounced.
Once.
Twice.
And just like that, all traces of his earlier anger vanished.
"AGAIN!!" he screamed, laughter bursting out of him as he threw himself forward, completely losing it.
Uncle William chuckled under his breath before following after them, shaking his head as he stepped closer.
Valerie stood back.
Watching.
Something in her chest loosened, just a little.
Aunt Eleanor stepped up beside her.
"Children are easy to please," she said softly, her gaze resting on Roe.
Then her tone shifted, just slightly.
"…So," she added, glancing at Valerie, "how has he been treating you?"
Valerie stilled for a fraction of a second.
That argument—
Flashed through her mind.
Sharp.
Unresolved.
Her fingers curled faintly at her side before she forced a small smile. "He's fine, Auntie. Everything's fine."
Aunt Eleanor didn't look convinced.
But she didn't push.
Instead, she let out a quiet sigh, her gaze drifting back toward Roe, who was now bouncing wildly while Victor exaggeratedly struggled to keep up with him.
"He's spoiling the child too much," she murmured. "If this continues, Roe will become impossible to manage."
Valerie huffed softly, crossing her arms loosely. "He already is."
Aunt Eleanor gave her a look.
Valerie sighed, her tone turning more thoughtful. "Kids are like that. Today it's a bounce house… tomorrow it'll be something bigger. Something more unreasonable."
Her gaze lingered on Roe.
On the way he laughed so freely, completely unaware of anything else.
"…I'll have it deflated tomorrow," she added. "We can keep it for his birthday instead. He's turning five soon anyway… and he'll be starting school."
Aunt Eleanor nodded slowly, clearly approving of that.
"That would be better."
Just then—
"Mommy!!!"
Roe's voice rang out as he came running back toward them, hair a mess, face flushed with excitement. Victor followed right behind him, equally energized.
"Come inside it!" Roe grabbed Valerie's hand, bouncing on his feet. "It's HUGE! There's a slide! And—and—and it goes up like this—!" He stretched his arms wildly, trying to demonstrate.
Victor snorted. "You haven't even seen half of it yet."
Valerie barely had time to react before Roe started pulling her forward with all his strength.
"Mommy, come! Now!"
She stumbled slightly, letting out a small breath of laughter despite herself.
"Alright, alright—stop dragging me, I'm coming."
And just like that they spent tje whole day playing, tiring themselves into sleep.