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“Daddy, can I get a kitty for my birthday?”
“You already have plenty of kitties, Gracie.” Diego didn’t even look up from his laptop, where he was attempting to hammer out an email. He muttered a word that Anita Grace should not repeat under his breath; this corporate life was killing him.
Anita Grace set herself down next to his chair, a plastic pony in hand. She was at that age where she was all questions and wide-eyed curiosity. “Not a stuffie,” Anita Grace corrected him, reaching over to tug on her father’s sock. “A real kitty.”
That was enough to make Diego pause. Casting his daughter an incredulous look, he reached over the side of his chair and ruffled the top of her head. “We don’t have time to take care of a kitten, mija . Maybe when you’re older.”
The little girl pouted. “But that’s too long! I want a kitten now!”
Diego pinched the bridge of his nose. “Anita Grace Hargreeves, don’t make me get your mother.”
The threat of Lila outweighed Anita Grace’s desire for a pet. Crossing her arms, the little girl stormed from the room. She left behind her plastic pony, which Diego would trip over later on his way to the restroom.
---
That particular day, Klaus had come over to help Lila repaint the living room. He was on a break now, slumped against the kitchen counter and covered in flecks of paint. He had just moved to raid the pantries when Anita Grace found him, still on her warpath.
“Hey, there’s my favorite pint-sized creature,” Klaus teased, scooping the little girl into his arms. She squirmed, her lips pulled into a pout. Klaus frowned right back at her. “Who’s got you all worked up? Who does Uncle Klaus need to hurt?”
Anita Grace shook her head mutely. Klaus frowned deeper, poking a finger into her ribs. The little girl’s stormy attitude melted, a tiny giggle escaping her lips. A moment passed, then; “I want a kitten for my birthday.”
Klaus gasped, clasping a manicured hand to his cheek. “Well, why didn’t you just say so?” Pausing for dramatic effect, he whispered, “Did I ever tell you that your Uncle Klaus is magic?”
His niece eyed him with skepticism. “Really?”
“Really truly,” Klaus reassured her. He swiped a finger across his chest. “Cross my heart and hope to-” he trailed off with a wince. “Well, I promise. If you can wait just a little bit, I’ll show you a magic trick. Can you do that? Can you be patient?”
Anita Grace nodded solemnly. “I can.”
---
Three days later at Anita Grace’s fifth birthday party, Klaus pulled a little orange kitten out of his coat pocket and officially beat out Luther for the position of Anita Grace’s favorite uncle.
“I’m going to name him Mr. Kitty!” Anita Grace declared, cradling the little furball against her chest.
Diego dug his fingers into Lila’s arm, pulling her away from the rest of the family while their daughter tried to force Five to hold the cat. “I thought we agreed on no pets just yet.”
“Maybe we did,” Lila admitted with a guilty smile. “But come on, Diego, she’s only this little once. Besides,” she added, her dark eyes softening. “Look how happy she is. Doesn’t that make it all worth it?”
Diego looked. Anita Grace had given up on engaging Five; she was now dragging a string across the floor while Mr. Kitty chased it and Viktor snapped pictures. Diego’s shoulders drooped, and he turned back to his wife in defeat.
“Alright, you win,” he murmured, kissing the side of her head. “But you’re scooping that thing’s shit. And I ain’t touching it; cats make me sneeze.”
---
Three days later, Lila sent a picture on the family group chat. Diego, Anita Grace, and Mr. Kitty, all curled up on the couch together.
Fast asleep.