FIFTY-FIVE

                    "Hey, buddy? What did you bring your favorite uncle?"

"You're my only uncle and I brought you a shirt. Dad said you'd love it" Zander said.

"If your father said I'd love it then I will definitely not love it. Let's see it, the sooner the disappointment, the faster I'll get over it"

"Let's go. It's in my bag" Hand in hand, Zander and Darren went up the stairs. Emilia smiled, sitting on the arm of the chair Max had just sat on but he dragged her onto his lap and nuzzled his nose on the crook of her neck. She sighed.

"Darren's right. It's as if he knows you picked something awful for him"

Max grumbled "It's not awful. I like that shirt"

"Then why didn't you get one for yourself?"

"It's too bright," he said then realizing he was contradicting himself, he grinned up at her "I guarantee Dar will love it. He's my brother and I know him"

"It's your birthday that's coming up soon. Let's see wh