You More Than Anything In The World

The other five kids obediently wait on the sides for Arissa to finish explaining the elevator use to Tim. They didn't throw any tantrums or make fun of Tim's ignorance.

We would've freaked out and not be as calm as Tim if we were the ones who grew up in a rural town and has never seen an elevator.

Arissa glanced at Tim. “Can you remember everything, Sweetheart?”

Tim nodded with blushed cheeks.

His face was too dark, so his blush wasn't too obvious, but Arissa was well aware of his shyness and patted his head adoringly.

With a soft voice, she said, “When I took the elevator for the first time, I was scared of others making fun of me, so I got on with someone and watched how they operate it. You'll be familiar with the workings after a few times.”

“Okay.” Tim nodded.

Arissa continued to carry him and hollered for the other five toward the examination room.

“Grandma and Mr. Graham are over there.”

Gavin saw Benjamin and Mary were almost at the end of the hallway and told Arissa.

“Let's hurry over there.”

She picked up her pace, and the other five children ran to keep up with her.

“Ms. York, let me down, please,” Tim reminded Arissa.

“It's fine. I can carry you.”

She flashed a smile at him. I finally got the chance to carry him, so I want to carry him for a bit longer.

She bounced Tim up slightly and tightened her arms around him as she led the other five children toward Benjamin.

“Mommy is really amazing to run even faster than us!” Jesse laughed.

“You're not too slow yourself, Jesse. You're doing great today!” Arissa complimented Jesse.

Jesse's smile grew wider at the compliment. Her eyes curved, her dimples appeared, and her smile was so wide everyone could see her gums.

She looked absolutely adorable.

Tim was staring at her.

Jasper couldn't help but pinch her cheeks.

“How can you smile so widely when you're missing a tooth. You look ugly!”

Jesse swiftly covered her mouth and glared at her brother.

“When your teeth drop, I'll laugh at you too.”

Arissa laughed at the siblings' banter. When she noticed Tim looking at them, she put him down. “Jesse, Jasper, play with Tim too.”

Jasper nodded and came up to Tim. “Tim, we'll go and take the elevator later.”

“I want to accompany Grandma,” Tim rejected softly. Grandma is undergoing some checkups, so I can't run around.

“I mean after Grandma finished her checks. Not now,” Jasper explained.

Tim contemplated it briefly before nodding his head.

Jasper responded with a smile.

Jesse came over and clung to Tim's arm.

“Tim, I want to continue talking to you about Mr. Graham.”

Jesse peeked at Benjamin, who was on the phone, as she whispered to Tim.

“What about him?” Jasper was curious too.

Oliver approached, wanting to listen in too. “What secret are you guys talking about?”

Jesse gestured for them to follow her to the side and pulled Tim along with her.

Gavin and Zachary trailed after her too, wanting to listen in.

Arissa smiled when she saw all six of the kids getting along.