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Spencer is sitting on his couch waiting for Angela and Amanda to arrive.
Angela had decided she wanted a playdate with all the littles in the cast, and that included him.
He would never say no to her, but was hesitant. As a teenager, he doesn't have a lot in common with a kid who's essentially a toddler.
Him and Trevor have common interests, and he's a little bit older, making hanging out easier. But even he and big Angela don't have much in common.
He also knows that Angela is sensitive and that he's a bit abrasive, so he's gonna be on his best behavior, but he wants her to have a good time.
Spencer had one condition to the playdate hangout.
He wanted it at his place.
He has no interest in playing with her toys, maybe if he was big, but as a teenager, he doesn't want to. That being said, he has a bunch of old consoles, and he picked out a few games he thinks she'll like that they can play together.
... .--. --- .-. -.-
Angela is sitting nervously in the back of Amanda's car, Cannoli in her lap.
She's excited to play with Spencer, but she's also scared.
It's a new place and a new person, but she has her mama and she trusts him, so she's being brave.
Amanda had packed a bag for her, saying she's got everything she'll need, so all Angela needs to do is have fun.
So that's what she's gonna try to do
... .--. --- .-. -.-
There's a knock at the door and Spencer opens it, revealing Amanda holding Angela on her hip, bag slung over her shoulder.
“Sup?” he asks, gesturing inside. Amanda rolls her eyes and walks in, attempting to coax Angela from hiding her face in her neck.
Spencer shuts the door and leads them to the living room where he'd set up for the afternoon.
Amanda puts their bag down and turns to him. “Hi Spence,” she says before looking down at Angela, “can you say hi?” She coos gently.
She peeks her head out and waves and Spencer grins at her.
“Hi kid, I heard you like garlic and peanut butter, so I got you snacks” he tells her, gesturing to his coffee table where there's a bunch of snacks, including Reese's Pieces and garlic butter popcorn.
She wiggles in Amanda's arms until she places her down and she rushes over to look at the table.
“I can have?” She asks quietly and he nods.
“Have at it.” He tells her before quickly adding, ‘’If it's ok with Amanda.”
Amanda laughs, “Nice save.” She jokes, before turning her attention to Angela. “Don't eat too fast, but have fun.”
Angela beams, grabbing a piece of popcorn and popping it in her mouth.
She sits down on the couch and looks around for the first time, noticing his cat, Cleo.
“Kitty!” She says excitedly, looking up at Spencer again. “I pet please? I gentle.”
Spencer nods, booting up his Wii, “Sure, she likes Trevor, so she'll let anyone pet her”
She giggles and crawls over to the cat, gently petting her. “Hi Cleo.” She coos quietly as Spencer sits on the couch next to her.
“I have drinks in the fridge if you want anything.” He tells Amanda, before turning to Angela.
“So Ang, I have this game that I love that I think you'll really like.” He tells her
“We play together?” She asks and he nods.
“It's a two player game, and you get to be my helper.” He explains and she bounces in her seat excitedly.
“I help you.” She says resolutely and he laughs, opening the game.
He grabs the two controllers and faces Angela. “Can I have your right arm?” He asks and she nods and tilts her head.
He rolls his eyes and taps the arm closer to him.
She holds it out and he attaches the Wii remote to her wrist and hands it to her.
“You remember how this works?” He asks, swinging his own remote around.
Angela nods, pointing the remote at the screen as an example.
“Clever kid. Let's start at the beginning, we can make this our save.” He explains, starting a new file.
He turns to give her his full attention. “I bet Manda warned you that I'm kinda a dick.” He starts and Amanda fake coughs.
“Sorry, kinda not nice.” He corrects and Angela shrugs.
“Said don't think before talk.” She says and Spencer rolls his eyes.
“Sure,” he agrees. “I'm gonna try my best, but if you need help or a break, let me know, alright dude?”
She giggles “Got it dude.”
... .--. --- .-. -.-
Spencer starts the game and ‘Super Mario Galaxy 2’ appears on the screen, opening the story of Mario and his quest to save Princess Peach.
He reads the story book intro to her and the game starts.
They gain control of the characters and why he's chosen this game becomes apparent.
Player two plays as Luma, a star that sits under Mario's hat.
They are basically just a cursor, letting player two wave the remote around the screen to collect star bits and other items, as well as stunning enemies.
He figured it was the perfect game for little him and Angela to play together.
And he was right.
Once he teaches her the controls and starts moving around, she's hooked. Happily pointing her controller around to collect the little rainbow shards.
He's played the game so many times that he's happy to just show it to her and doesn't care that she’s not the most productive teammate.
“We got him!” She cheers as she stuns a goomba and he kills it.
“Nice.” He says, holding out his hand and she grins, high-fiving him.
The two play for hours, with occasional breaks for hydration and snacks enforced by Amanda.
Otherwise Angela is fully engaged in the story, to the point where she doesn't notice when Amanda would leave to get them drinks, or use the bathroom.
... .--. --- .-. -.-
Afternoon has fallen to evening and Amanda knows she's going to have to call it soon.
She'd fed Angela lunch and put her down for her nap early so she'd have more time to hangout with Spencer if they decided to do dinner.
Amanda hadn't had the heart to stop them, but it's just at when little Angela would normally eat dinner, so she finally has to speak up.
The level ends and she signals Spencer to pause.
“It's dinner time Angie.” She says and the little whines.
“Popcorn and candy dinner?” She asks hopefully and the other two laugh.
“Even I wouldn't eat only that for dinner.” Spencer jokes, saving the game. “Need something green, like a Skittle or something.”
She giggles, and Amanda rolls her eyes.
“You're not helping.” She tells him and he laughs.
“I'm not trying to.” He admits jokingly, tossing a piece of popcorn in his mouth.
“Are you hungry kid?” He asks the little and she shrugs.
“Had snacks so half hungry.” She explains
“Is it a no dinner day, or are you just being fussy?” Amanda questions and Angela pouts.
“Not fussy.” She grumbles, and Spencer laughs.
“And I'm tall.” He jokes and she sticks her tongue out at him.
“I'm craving Burger King, have you tried the little's meal yet?” He suggests and Angela looks over at Amanda
“Burger King dinner?” She asks and Amanda smiles softly.
“That sounds like a good idea, Spence.” Amanda says and Angela grins.
“Have toy?” She asks curiously and Spencer nods.
“Definitely” He tells her and she bounces excitedly.
Amanda pulls out her phone, and the three work together to order to Spencer's house.
“We've got 15 minutes, how about another level?” He suggests, and Angela nods, the two diving in to the next one.
... .--. --- .-. -.-
Dinner comes and goes, Angela getting a crown and a small pack of glitter crayons with her chicken nuggets.
Spencer finishes his food and turns to Amanda. “Does she always look like she's gonna fall asleep at dinner?” He asks curiously.
Angela shakes her head, “not tired” she says with a huff and Amanda chuckles.
“I moved her nap forward so you guys would have more time.” She admits, turning to the little girl.
“How about we get you changed for the ride home?” She suggests and Angela tilts her head in thought.
“Puppies?” She asks and Amanda nods.
“I brought your puppy pjs.” She tells her and she agrees, walking to the bag to grab the clothes and rushing to the bathroom to change.
Amanda smiles softly at Spencer, who's zoned out.
“You alright?” she asks, concerned and he nods.
“Aged up.” He admits and she raises an eyebrow.
“Just randomly?” She questions, still concerned and he nods again.
“My headspace is older, I'm not little as long as the babies are. I can stay longer if I'm playing a game, but dinner’s enough to bore me out.” he explains.
Amanda nods in understanding. “Well you did good today, she's gonna want to come back.” She tells him and he smiles softly.
“She's a fun kid.” He admits, “Quieter than Courtney and Trevor too.”
She rolls her eyes. “An important feature in a child.” She says sarcastically and he laughs.
“It is when you're a teenager who just wants to relax.” He tells her seriously and she shakes her head lovingly.
“Just as a heads up, now that she's sleepy, she's gonna be younger. You've gotten a pretty old Angie today.” She tells him as Angela scampers in.
“Mama! Spence!” She cheers, climbing into Amanda's lap.
She wraps her arms around the girl and kisses the top of her head.
“Welcome back bug. Say hi to your uncle Spencer.” She says and Angela squints at him
“Big?” She questions and he nods.
She pouts. “Didn't bye.” She mumbles
“Little me didn't, but I can.” He tells her, attempting to placate her.
“Limited time offer, Spencer cuddles. Available tonight only to interested parties named Angela.” he jokes and she grins, holding her arms out to him.
Amanda laughs. “He can't lift you baby, let's go to the couch so you can say bye.”
She carries her to the couch with Spencer following, placing the little on the couch.
“I'm gonna tidy up while you say bye, ok Ang?” She says and Angela nods.
Amanda walks off and Angela looks over at Spencer. He opens his arms and she grins, crawling into his lap.
She sits facing him, resting her head on his shoulder.
“Is ok?” She asks quietly and he nods, wrapping his arms around her.
He's normally not much of a cuddling or hugging guy, but he wanted to cheer her up so he offered.
However this wasn't bad. It wasn't overwhelming or uncomfortable.
It definitely still wasn't his favorite, but he'd tolerate it for the kid.
... .--. --- .-. -.-
By the time Amanda comes back in, Angela is fast asleep in Spencer’s arms, with him supporting her head so it doesn't fall backwards or to the side.
She smiles softly at the pair. He hadn't noticed her come in because he was too focused on Angela, a gentle smile on his face.
This was an unexpected duo, but somehow it works.
And it's precious