A welcome distraction

Melanie wakes up the next morning after a good night's sleep, relaxed. She yawns, reaches for her phone, and stretches.

"What should I be doing right now?" Not set any quick trips for the day, she ponders

“Rise and shine, sleepy head…it's time for our morning prayer” Kalinin charges her into the chamber.

“I am up,” Melanie replies as she hangs her legs over the side of the bed, dressed comfortably.

“You have such good morals” Kalinin teases

First thing in the morning, they pray together in the living room. Soft music floats around as they claim their regular spots, and as they pray Melanie finds peace.

After prayer, Martins takes Kionna to their room to help get started on her morning routine while he leaves Melanie and Kalinin in the living room.

“Sweetheart…” Kalinin chimes and Melanie shoots her a suspicious look.

“What do you need from me” Melanie goes straight into questioning her because she can tell that her sister wants something from her with the way she is acting.

“I simply just want a little Favour from you” Kalinin beams friendily.

“Hope it is something that I can do,” Melanie asks as she rolls her eyes.

“It is something that you can do, I just don’t know if you will be willing to do it," Kalinin answers.

“Shoot” Melanie urges.

“Martin has to represent his father’s company at an important meeting today and I have to work as well, so will you please keep an eye on Kionna for me…she will be closing quite early today because her school said that today is half-day.” Kalinin goes ahead to ask.

“Kalinin is like my own daughter so why will you think that watching her will ever be a problem for me?” She scolds her sister.

“Of course, I had to ask you because I don’t know what plans you have for the day” Kalinin clarifies.

“Even if I had any plans, Kionna still comes first,” Melanie makes it very clear.

“More so, you know that I will do anything for you, my love," Melanie reassures her sister.

“Thank you, sweetheart…You save lives.” Kalinin hugs her sister extremely happy.

“Kionna will be dropped off on my way to work, and her school bus will return her home about noon,” Kalinin informs and Melanie shows clear relief as Kalinin outlines her future course.

“Sure, we shall have fun,” Melanie assures her as Kalinin leaves Melanie’s room to get ready for work.

Melanie's ideas on Caleb's messages become less important as her day will mostly consist of watching her number one favorite person in the world and She laughs, looking forward to the amusement,

"Double trouble today…Why not?" She says.

“ That will be fascinating!” Melanie exclaims.

Melanie loves her beautiful two-year-old niece very much so she gets ready in the morning, musing over how to plan a wonderful day for Kionna after everybody leaves the house.

While making breakfast for herself, she decides to watch TikTok as she is alone at home while everyone else is out.

Melanie indulges herself the whole day by doing nothing but eating and watching Tiktok and about noon, someone rings the doorbell so she rushes there to get the door.

Running to reach the door, she discovers Kionna standing next to a woman identifying herself as Ms. Thompson the pickup coordinator for the school through the name tag on her chest.

"You must be Melanie." Melanie nods as Ms. Thompson says.

"Kionna's mother told me earlier today that I would be handing Kionna to you," Ms. Thompson continues.

"Hi, Kiki, how was school today?" Melanie asks her niece and she just smiles.

"Kionna is the nice friend of today." Mrs Thompson informs her and Melanie smiles before gently pulling Kionna’s cheek.

"Thanks, Ms. Thompson," Melanie says.

Ms. Thompson smiles and carefully hands her over to Melanie.

“Come on, Aunt Mel’s got you,” Melanie says as she leads Kionna inside with her tiny hands.

On getting inside, they change from her school dress into an appropriate playwear.

"SnacksTime!" Melanie announces as she sets out apple juice and grapes, while Kionna squeals and charges in with great energy.

After the appetizers, Melanie organizes a stack of very boldly exhibited artwork that Kionna painted at school that day .'

“Auntie Mel, look!" Kionna screams as soon as she sees her work on display and Melanie smiles.

“Did you labor on this at your school today?" Melanie probes, and then Kionna nods her head.

Melanie works on Kionna's hair, carefully straightening the curls and styling a beautiful ponytail.

“Fantastic, Auntie!” Kionna squeals after enjoying the mirror for a while.

“Time to make up for last night, honey,” Melanie tells her niece, hugging her.

“Playtime is important!” Melanie says she chooses the doll and backpack for Kionna.

Knowing Kionna's newfound vitality and enjoyment, Melanie arranges their excursion and Kionna bounces from the house towards the park with much energy.

They feed ducks, then they switch to playing hide and seek before Kionna starts disturbing Melanie that she wants to play on the swing and Melanie just lets her have her way.

As evening fell, Melanie asks Kionna who is snuggled up on her lap what else she wanted to do, but she could tell that her little princess was already tired.

"Let's find our way home, darling." Melanie taps Kionna.

“I want to play” Kionna objects.

“Mommy will be home in no time and I want her to meet us at home,” Melanie tells Kionna, but her stomach hurts and she remembers her neglected lunch plans, so she searches Orion's city map for the closest restaurant.

"Let's find some food to eat first, sweetie," Melanie tells Kionna as they stroll hand in hand towards the closest eatery.

The mouthwatering smell of freshly cooked bread and boiling soups piqued her senses Melanie just knew she had to taste their food.

As they make their way into the restaurant, Melanie's phone beeps and it is Kalinin telling them that she will soon be home and she will be back to prepare a feast for everybody.

With Kalinin’s message as a wake-up call, Melanie realizes that she has not checked her phone all afternoon but at the same time, Caleb has not left any new messages so She shrugs and then slips her phone back into her purse.

“Maybe he is busy,” she says as she brushes off Caleb's issue and focuses on Kianna's laughing and words:

"Or maybe he is not interested in a relationship like me," Melanie concludes as she walks Kionna across the packed restaurant looking for their table.

Walking around a corner and trying to find a place to sit in the full restaurant with Kionna, Melanie circles into a tall, dark-haired man.

“Oh no, I'm truly sorry!” Melanie apologizes.

“Not one bit of damage done” he clarifies as he helps her to balance.

The man gently steadies her and their eyes are briefly locked with his piercing blue ones.

"Are you okay?" He asks her after he releases his hold.

“Yes, thanks.” Melanie nods and looks up at the stranger, not sure exactly where Kionna is.