Let's Play Pretend Novels & Stories

I paused, the lie sticking in my throat. "Because you're pretending to marry him," Emilia finished, her directness both refreshing and uncomfortable. "Yes," I admitted. "But even though it's not a real engagement, we do need to seem like we care about each other. So tonight is about getting to know each other better, including meeting each other's families." Emilia considered this, her small brow furrowed in concentration. "Does that mean I have to pretend to like him too?" I smoothed her hair back, love for this fierce, complicated child overwhelming me. "No, sweetheart. You never have to pretend about your feelings. But I do need you to be polite. Can you do that? For me?"

Amelia's POV "We did," I said, unable to help the smile tugging at my lips. "We were quite the terrors." "The best kind of terror," Blaire added, bumping my shoulder playfully. A comfortable silence settled between us, each lost in their own thoughts. "Mom," I said gently, "how about we play a little game?" My mother's brow furrowed in curiosity. "What kind of game?" "Let's pretend we're children again," I explained. "Just for a little while. Let's chase butterflies and make up stories about the clouds."

He sank into a chair as they all turned their focus back to the NBA playoffs basketball game. With the kids all in the redesigned playroom. The girls are playing pretend beauty shop with their dolls, giving them full glam makeovers with makeup and nails. Justice is doing karate jumps, imitating Goku in his full costume in the extended matted area, and Marco Jr. is gaming online playing some new game similar to Fortnite.

Chukwuemeka and me. “N-nothing, my love,” I stuttered, cupping his face. I squatted to their eye level. “Mommy is going to pay for the puppy and then we’ll play a game.” “What kind of game?” Damian asked. “A spy game,” I replied. Their eyes lit up. “Like secret agents?” Eloise asked. “Y-yes.” I managed a smile. “We’re going to go out using the side exit, very quietly like secret agents.”

"No need, no need. Auntie has heard of single dogs. Alex, since Fang Chen has set the theme, then you and Lala can pretend to be a couple and attend the banquet." "Okay, I'll leave after I finish the car." As Alex spoke, he pretended to be in great pain. "Oh, my arm, why can't I exert my strength all of a sudden?"

"Now come on. Let's make pancakes with Michael and pretend we're a normal family for a few more hours." "We're not a normal family." "No. But we're ours. That's better."

He shouts. OHHH so that's how to going to go. I haven't played pretend ever since my mother died. But doing it now with Kieth, it made me feel excited. I get on my knees and pretend to be a maid. "Oh please Alpha! I didn't mean to! Please forgive me!" "NEVER! You shall be punished!" Then he grabs a hand full of mud and throws it...AT MY FACE! I slowly wipe the brown mush off my face and look at a laughing Keith. Oh it's on!

They laughed, they danced, and they let their imaginations run wild. Time seemed to stand still in their little cocoon of creativity. Hazel and Theo built towering towers with colorful blocks, their laughter filling the air as they watched their creations teeter and tumble. They played make-believe, taking on the roles of superheroes and princesses, saving the world from imaginary villains and attending grand royal balls.

But I am having a feeling that she is going to suggest some children's play now! "You want me to play with you?" "Not just us! We can go out and play with appatha(grandma), thatha(grandpa), anna,anni, perippa, dad, Dakshu and Shanu! We can play ‘snake and ladders’. It will be fun!"

“I like the chocolate one. Very nutty.” “What about me?” I said. “I’m not letting my parents come. It wouldn’t be right.” “Of course not,” he said. “That’s what the actors are for.” “Actors?” I said. “Mm, this strawberry’s nice.” “You know, actors?” said Alex. “They pretend to be other people.” “In movies, or TV, Alex. Not in real life.” “This isn’t real-life,” he said. “It’s make-believe.”