Always Been Yours (Tessa and Nicholas) novel Chapter 4

Hmm? Tessa was a little stunned to give an immediate response.

“Pretty lady, I want upsies,” the little boy repeated, this time with a bit more emphasis as he stared up at Tessa with wide eyes, which were lit with a childlike gleam.

At the sight of how endearing he was, Tessa felt her heart melting, and she quickly picked him up. It was like holding a soft bundle, and as she carried him, she could pick up the faint powdery scent on him that made her want to nuzzle into his chubby cheek.

She was inexplicably fond of the child as she smiled and said gently, “Hey, little guy, thanks for speaking up for me earlier.” Without him, she would never have been able to clear her name.

Seemingly unfazed, the little boy shook his head and said with an air of impishness, “You’re welcome. I did what I had to. Besides, I hate two-faced women like her.”

Upon hearing this, Tessa was so entertained that she laughed. “Do you truly understand what it means to be two-faced when you’re only so young?”

He nodded solemnly, his chubby face very grim as he replied, “Of course, I do. My uncle told me that a two-faced person is someone whose actions don’t match their words.”

Tessa’s eyes curved into crescents. “Well, I’m impressed. You’re a very intelligent little boy, aren’t you?”

Having gotten her praise, he flushed in embarrassment, though the way his eyes glittered betrayed his happiness even as he tried to act indifferent. In the end, he pursed his lips to keep himself from grinning, which only made him more adorable.

Seeing him like this, Tessa couldn’t help but wonder if her own baby would turn out this adorable had she not been so cruelly separated from them at childbirth.

She suddenly tightened her hold on the little boy, her motherly love practically overflowing. She was just about to speak when a voice interjected, “Young Master Gregory, the banquet is about to start. We must be leaving now, or the old master and the old madam will grow worried.”

The little boy nodded when he heard this, then turned to say to Tessa, “Seeing as I’ve helped you out earlier, could you carry me over to my daddy? I’m tired, and I don’t want to walk anymore.”

“Huh?” Taken aback by this, Tessa was somewhat hesitant as she pointed out, “But I still have to get ready for the performance, and besides, we’ve only just met. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to carry you all the way to where your parents are.”

The little boy tightened his grip on her as he whined stubbornly, “No, if I say it’s appropriate, then it is! Also, how are you going to perform without a violin, pretty lady?” His eyes grew to the size of saucers as a bright idea popped into his head, and he stared at Tessa in earnest as he quipped, “My grandma still has a violin to spare in her precious collection. If you carry me over, I’ll get her to lend it to you.”

There was nothing more compelling than when a child stared at you with sparkly doe eyes, and Tessa found herself relenting after a brief second of doubt. “Very well, then. I’ll carry you over.”

This evidently pleased the little boy to no end, for his soft little body slumped against her as he grinned with satisfaction. This pretty lady has a really warm embrace, and she smells really nice, too, like how a mother would.

Along the way, he asked aloud, “Are you single, pretty lady?”

“I am,” Tessa answered readily, glancing down at the child with affection. She was starting to like him more and more. “Why do you ask?”