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“Jamesssss, can you see? So many colours lookkkkk,” Benedict slurs with a happy grin, his eye pressed against an empty crystal glass as you all await dinner service.
James picks up his glass and smushes it against his face. “I see! I seeeee!” he enthuses.
The fact he has his little 5-year-old eye closed makes it more adorable somehow, not quite cottoning on, but loving the attention from his favourite person.
You turn pointedly to Colin. “He was fine before you went to see him; what happened?” You quiz quietly.
“This,” Colin gestures at Benedict, who is now staring at the ceiling with a frown, “is NOT my fault. I merely offered a small elixir. I did not suggest he drain my supply. If anything, I should be the indignant one, I have nothing left!” he argues. You just raise an eyebrow.
“Benedict, I can see mummy in my glass!” James exclaims, giggling, turning towards you, looking through the bottom of the glass at you. You smile indulgently at him and pull a funny face that makes him laugh more.
“Alas, James, I cannot in mine!” Benedict pouts in response, “you must have a very special glass. Can I borrow it?”
James happily stands up on his chair and passes it over.
“Oh yes!! I see her now,” Benedict cries happily, fixing the glass in your direction, “she is so very pretty, isn’t she, James?”
The table goes quiet, and you blush.
“Mummy is very pretty,” James concurs, oblivious to the audience the pair now have. “She says I’m handsome too.”
“Of course you are!” Benedict cries in agreement.
“Yes, she told me my daddy was the most beautiful man she ever saw, and she couldn’t help but create me with him.” James babbles on, playing with his fork idly. You wish the floor would swallow you up as you feel everyone’s eyes on you.
“Well, I think you are the most beautiful creature ever created,” Benedict declares, dropping his fist to the table as if to emphasise his point. “So your mummy is very wise. She is wise and pretty and lovely. So very lovely.”
You stare at him as he lowers the glass from his face, lips parted, heart pounding at his words.
“She is also very naughty cos she stole my heart many years ago and never gave it back,” Benedict says in a stage whisper to James, behind his hand, “but shhhhh, that part is a secret!”
Your stomach flips, and butterflies roar to life in your rib cage—something breathtaking and bittersweet all at once.
“I won’t tell her,” James whispers back loudly with a conspiratorial wink.
They both turn to you and grin innocently, humming a nonchalant tune. Everyone at the table seems to chuckle, and quiet conversation resumes, no doubt about what they just witnessed.
After a few moments of thought, you turn to Colin and say quietly. “Are you sure there is none left?”
He smiles enigmatically and asks why.
“No reason,” you say quickly, your cheeks reddening.
At that point, Benedict falls off his chair, James gets the hiccups from laughing so hard, and the moment is gone.