NovelEnglish
“No! Mommy has been crying!”
Jasper's quick retort at Benjamin earned him a frown of disapproval from the latter.
Arissa jumped out of her reverie and pushed Benjamin's hand away. “I was? How was I not aware?”
Jasper watched the adults for a while before turning to his siblings and found Gavin and the others staring at him.
He smiled so broadly that his eyes were slits. “I made that up!”
Benjamin's eyes flashed as he gently turned Arissa's face to place the egg's warmer side against her other cheek.
Arissa closed her eyes and raised her neck, feeling the man's breath on her face from time to time. Her heartbeat
accelerated again.
Reveling in his masculine scent, Arissa felt her heart hammering wildly against her ribs and wondered if he could
tell.
As if in response, Benjamin's eyes flickered. A hint of mischief appeared in his eyes at the sight of her blushing
cheeks.
“Does that feel better?” he asked when he switched sides again.
“Hmm.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe glint in Benjamin's eyes became more profound at the quaver in Arissa's grunt.
He inched closer with great deliberation. “What's wrong?”
Arissa felt as if she was being hugged by him. Her ears became hot.
“That's enough!” She pushed his hand away.
“Stop moving!” Benjamin grabbed her wrist. “I'm not done yet!”
Arissa gulped before resigning to lean back in her chair so Benjamin could dab her eyes.
Are they swollen? Did I really cry in my sleep?
She had dreamt that Tim would not forgive her. Even worse, he refused to recognize her as his mother.
She remembered feeling heartbroken in the dream.
“Do the clothes fit, Tim?” she asked him softly once more.
“They do!” Tim chirped in response before trying on another set.
“What about the altered ones?” she asked, smiling a little more now.
I'm trying them out, Ms. York. Everything seems to be in order. I finally have a set that fits!”
Like music to her ears, the child's tender voice made Arissa smile with delight like music to her ears.
“I'm glad, Sweetheart! Put aside the ill-fitting shoes for now. You can try them on again in a few years when you
grow into them!”
Tim nodded wordlessly before a glance at her. Upon recalling that Arissa had her eyes attended to, he answered
her with his voice.
“I will.”
Benjamin looked down at her bright little face with gentle eyes.
Suddenly, a familiar voice came. “I'm getting diabetes just being around the sweetness in this room. Good thing I'm
in a hospital.”
Arissa turned and met Kingsley's mischievous smile.
Benjamin, too, glanced at the newcomer.
The children were surprised to see him. “Uncle Kingsley!”
Kingsley beamed as he walked toward them who ran over to meet him halfway, clearly delighted by his presence.
“What're are you doing here, Uncle Kingsley?”
Kingsley gave each child a hug and a tousle as he replied, “I miss you kids, that's why. Where are your brother?”
Upon noticing Tim in the corner looking at him after a quick glance around, Kingsley's mouth fell open in
astonishment.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“What a tanned child!”
Tim seemed to wilt before their eyes.
Zachary rapped Kingsley's forehead severely. “You aren't allowed to say such things about Tim, Uncle Kingsley! If
you're not careful, you'll be even darker than him.”
Upon regaining his senses, Kingsley squatted in front of the child at once to apologize.
“I'm sorry, Tim. I shouldn't have teased you like that. Will you forgive me?”
As he spoke, Kingsley reached out to stroke the boy's lowered head.
“It's all right.”
His eyes lighting up suddenly, Kingsley bent over to pick Tim up to the group's surprise.
“What a fine complexion Tim has,” he declared. “The rest of you should get some sun. Look at all these pallid little
faces!”
The other five children stared at him angrily. “You are the one who needs a tan!”
“Okay, fine. I'm the pale one here!”
Being in an exceptionally amicable mood, Kingsley hurriedly placated the indignant children.
Arissa was amused. “How did you find us here, Mr. Watts?” she asked, remembering Benjamin's prior warning not
to inform Kingsley.
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