Chapter 31
He looked around the shops and grimaced. He knew this was a bad idea but he’d left things too late. Skye had arranged for some of them but had left him in charge of certain people. He’d kept ignoring it until he was left to shop in a slight panic. As specialist he should’ve known better but there was always something else that needed doing first. A pipe had burst, then the kids needed to go to the dentist. One day last week he’d intended to go shopping but then Phil had been poorly so he’d had to stay at home. Hence he was now shopping in a rush. It didn’t escape his notice that most of the shoppers were men. They had the same harried look as he did. Why did people do this to themselves?
A low cry distracted him momentarily. Glancing down at the pushchair he saw Phil cry slightly pointing at something in the crowd.
“It’s alright Phil. We’ll be done soon.”
The crowd made him slightly nervous, hence why he’d put Phil in the pushchair. Now he’d grown a little more they’d been letting him toddle around, carrying him when he got tired. Being used to this he no longer liked being strapped in the chair, but it was too busy for him to walk. He’d already evaluated all the shops and their locations, planning his route to buy everything he needed. It was even easier with Skye haven taking the kids ice-skating. Phil was too small to go so he’d agreed to look after him and had taken the opportunity to go shopping.
Noticing Phil was staring off to one side Grant bent down to speak to him again.
“No Phil. We’ve already been to see Santa.” They’d taken the kids earlier in the week. Skye had taken lots of photos including Jemma looking totally unimpressed with Santa and trying to escape. They’d even managed to get the presents off the kids before they’d been opened so they could be saved for Christmas day. No one had screamed and Mel hadn’t tried to attack anyone, though she had glared at a girl trying to push in the line.
He’d managed to grab the presents for Nat and Clint, smirking to himself when he thought of Clint opening his present. He and Skye were clubbing together to get presents for everyone but she’d let him pick for them, as he knew them better. He still had to decide on something for Skye. She was one of the more difficult people to buy for, not only because he had to ensure she also got something from the kids.
“Ok Phil?” He asked, seeing the little boy pointing again.
“Dad.”
“I know. Not long now. Only a few more presents to get.” Looking in the direction Phil had pointed he noticed something sat on a nearby shelf.
“That can be for Skye from Tripp.”
Three more shops later and they’d nearly finished. He was just planning the last present he needed when Phil began to cry.
“What’s wrong?” Grant asked beginning to panic slightly. “Phil?”
Lifting him out of the chair he tried rocking him, bouncing him, yet the tears kept falling. He was about to call Skye in desperation when he saw Phil point at the cookie stand.
“Are you hungry?”
Phil nodded slightly, burying his head in Grant’s chest. Holding him close with one arm he grabbed the pushchair and headed for the food court. Buying a small portion of chips for Phil and a diet coke for himself he grabbed a seat, keeping Phil on his lap. As he stuffed the chips in his Grant muttered to him.
“Don’t tell your mum.” Phil didn’t reply as he happily munched on his food.
“Dad!” He began reaching for the coke.
“You have a drink.” Grant replied pointing at his bottle of juice. Shaking his head he gently tipped the drink so Phil could sip on the straw.
“At least it isn’t alcoholic.” He muttered as Phil tapped his small hand against the cup. Hearing his phone he gently detached Phil from the drink.
“Hello.”
“Hello Agent Robot.”
“Tony. You’ve been talking to Skye.”
“We’ll your other half is quite a character.”
“She isn’t my other half!” He replied quickly.
“I meant as your looking after the kids together. What did you think I meant?” Tony laughed.
“What’s up Tony?”
“Defensive. I’m just checking what’s happening later?”
“You checking things?”
“Well Pepper asked me to.”
“And?”
“Ok. Pepper’s annoyed at me so as you’re at the shops can you pick something up for me? I need to get back in her good books.”
“How’d… did you hack my phone?”
“No. I just accessed you’re GPS.”
“Tony! That’s hacking my phone!”
“We’ll true. So will you do it?”
“Fine. Just to make Christmas run smoothly.”
“It’s all sorted. You just need to pick it up.”
“I’ll sort it.”
“By the way I hope you’ve picked something nice for your missus.” Tony rang off before he could retort.
“I’m sorry Phil but I might murder your uncle Tony over Christmas. I now understand why you had some much trouble with him when you were older.” Now that was a weird sentence to say. Christmas was going to be interesting!