#fluff-day

It was thirty hours into his weekend with his niece Zara and Rami was exhausted. He’d never thought a fun weekend babysitting would ever be so. He wanted to take his niece to go do all kinds of fun things to keep her occupied, and to allow her mind to develop with exposure to culture and art. Unfortunately for him little miss Zara had other plans.

All she wanted to do was play pretend. He was about to implode if he had to pretend to be George or Peppa Pig ever again, but she absolutely loved when he played pretend with her. Zara had proudly declared that afternoon that she wanted to be an actor just like him, and all he could do was chuckle. He’d support her of course, if that is what she wanted to do, and would help guide her way when the time came if that is what she still wanted, but for now he was exhausted. 

His only respite was during nap time which required no less than twelve stories and about a hundred different voices. As an actor he loved any opportunity to flex his acting muscles but at this point he was scraping the bottom of the barrel with his skills. Zara was his harshest critic and if she was displeased with any part of his performance she would not hesitate to tell him. She’d already scolded him thrice about one of the voices he was attempting for some dog for the book they had been reading.

At this moment in time, he was currently on his hands and knees playing pony while Zara was riding his back pretending to be a cowgirl, and she wasn’t afraid to dig her heels painfully into his hips and the grip she had on his hair for the reigns was painful but her delighted giggles were well worth the pain.

After a while she got bored, and decides she wants to color for a little bit so he gets a slight reprieve to go make her some lunch which was her favorite mac n cheese, hot dogs and some apple slices. (because what kid doesn’t like mac n cheese and hot dogs?!)

Halfway through making her lunch she comes running into the kitchen and throws herself around his legs.

“I love you Uncle Rami” she squeals as her grip tightens around his knees.

His heart literally melted into a puddle of goo in front of God and everyone as he knelt down to pick her up and give her a soft kiss to her forehead.

“I love you too little one.”

All the money he’d spent to buy tickets to the zoo, museum, and the movies was well worth wasting because every moment he got to spend with his niece were the true moments he cherished. Spending time with her made him realize that something was missing from his life and even though his life was a mess of chaotic schedules and a lot of hard work his heart yearned for something more. A fulfillment that no amount of accolades or awards could ever truly fill. Children. Dammit he wants to have children. 

A wet kiss being smacked onto his lips pulled him out of his thoughts, as he reached up to stroke Zara’s hair. 

“You are the best little girl ever Z. After lunch do you want to go to the park and play tag with me?”’

“No. I want you to push me on the swings. And go down the slide, then chase me around and play monsters using your scary monster voice, then we will go get ice cream and I can have as many scoops as I want. Then you take me to McDonald’s because I want chicken nuggets and you can’t tell my mommy because she says McDonald’s is gross.”

He just laughs softly as he sets her down to start plating up her lunch,”That’s a tall order to fill kiddo but we’ll see what I can manage. For now you better go to the table because Monster Rami is going to get you and then I’m going to eat your lunch.”

“Noooooooooo!” she dramatically squeals, while placing her hand over her heart and pretending to cry. “Not Monster Rami. Not my food.”