It was another beautiful and peaceful day at the Andersons. The morning sun spilled gently over the mansion, wrapping the ho in a serene glow.
Inside the baby bathroom, Alia was tenderly giving baby Noel a bath in his customized luxury tub, while humming a nursery rhy to him that filled the room with warmth.
Her lody paused when Blaze stepped into the bathroom already suited up for work, his presence carrying both authority and affection.
"Hey, sweetie," Blaze murmured as he crouched beside her, brushing a kiss against her glowing cheek.
Alia let out a soft chuckle, her eyes sparkling with love and affection.
"Hi, baby." She stole a playful side glance at him. "I can see you’re all dressed and ready to leave?"
"Yes, my love," Blaze replied smoothly, straightening his tie. "I’ve got an early eting at eight I can’t afford to miss."
"Have you had breakfast yet?" Alia asked, admiring his sleek, handso appearance.
"No, my dear. I don’t feel like eating anything this morning. But I’ll have sothing later on at the office, I promise."
Alia nodded, turning her gaze back to their son, whose innocent eyes seed to shimr like a little moonbeam. "It’s alright, baby. Just promise you’ll be back in ti for dinner. I want us to dine like a family."
"Certainly, my love. I wouldn’t miss it for the world."
Blaze leaned closer, his expression softening even more as he stared into his son’s captivating eyes.
"And how’s my little champ doing?" His deep voice lted into a whisper as he stroked Noel’s soft cheek with the tip of his finger.
Baby Noel let out a faint coo, his lips curling in what almost looked like a smile.
"Aww! Is that a smile for daddy?" Alia lifted the baby to her face, nuzzling him on the cheek, while Blaze’s heart swelled with love at the sight.
"Our little champ can’t wait to start talking to us," Blaze murmured, his eyes misting with a kind of pride that words could never capture. "Can I carry him?" His affectionate smile shifted to his wife.
"Sure... Give a second."
Alia’s chest rose with quiet joy as she rinsed the last traces of soap from Noel’s silky skin.
Blaze carefully reached out, steadying Noel’s delicate little arm as Alia exited the soapy water from the bathtub.
He watched with fondness as Alia lifted Noel from the bath and wrapped him in a snow-white towel embroidered with his initials.
"Here is your little bundle of joy." Alia gently placed baby Noel into his father’s awaiting arms as if the baby were made of very fragile glass.
"My little hero." Blaze cradled Noel close, inhaling his newborn scent. "You have no idea how much you an to and your mom." He whispered against his son’s forehead.
"I can’t wait to watch you grow and take your first step. You and I are going to have so much fun together, and you’ll always be Daddy’s boy."
Alia’s eyes glistened as she watched her husband press a lingering kiss on Noel’s tiny head.
Seeing the almighty Blaze Anderson reduced to pure tenderness before his eleven-day-old son, engraved itself deep in her heart.
Blaze gently placed Noel back in Alia’s arms, reluctant to let go. He brushed a feathery kiss along Alia’s lips, his voice dropping to sothing softer than a sigh. "Take care of our son until I get back."
Alia smiled, her heart fluttering as their eyes locked. "Sure baby."
As Blaze stood, adjusting his cufflinks, Alia bent low with Noel in her arms.
In her sweetest singsong tone, she cooed to the baby, "Say bye-bye to Daddy."
To Blaze’s amazent, Noel let out a soft, tiny sound that matched Alia’s rhythm, almost like an echo. Alia laughed warmly.
"See? He said it. Bye-bye, Daddy."
Blaze chuckled, his throat tightening with emotion. He crouched once more, kissed Noel’s downy hair, and then pressed a lingering kiss on Alia’s lips. "I’ll be carrying those words with all day."
-
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Later in the day, after a soothing shower and a light breakfast, Alia found her way to the terrace, where her mother-in-law was already enjoying the warmth of the sun.
The air was filled with their quiet laughter and the soothing fragrance of freshly brewed tea as both won sat side by side, sharing past stories.
Just then, the butler appeared at the edge of the terrace, bowing slightly.
"Madam Alia, you have a visitor, who needs your clearance at the gate."
Alia’s brows lifted in mild curiosity. "A visitor who needs my clearance?"
"Who is this visitor?" Maria’s forehead furrowed.
The butler hesitated, then lowered his voice. "It’s Mrs. Harriet Shawls and she is accompanied by Mr. Ferdinand Shawls."
"Harriet!" A flicker of surprise crossed Alia’s face, the pleasant ease of her morning giving way to sharp unease.
"Is it the sa Harriet, the wife of that greedy and manipulative uncle of yours called Desmond?" Maria queried, her tone laced with disgust.
"Yes, Mom," Alia replied, her heart skipping a beat at the ntion of Desmond’s na.
"What did she say she wanted with my daughter-in-law?" Maria directed her question to the butler, the crease on her forehead deepening.
"She said she ca down to congratulate Madam Alia on the birth of her son." The butler explained. "She also ca with baby gifts"
"How convenient!" Maria scoffed. "That woman really has so nerve showing her face in this house. She’s very lucky that my son is not around."
"Yeah." Alia agreed.
"Anyway..." Maria tilted her gaze to Alia. "...it’s up to you to decide if you want to see her."
"Thanks, mom." Alia paused briefly, contemplating her answer before speaking, her gaze on the butler.
"Have the security n thoroughly search her and everything she’s bringing into the premises. As for the gifts, discard them. If they are both certified safe, you can bring her and Ferdinand down here."
"Okay, ma’am." The butler left to carry out the instructions.
Monts later, the sound of footsteps announced Harriet and Ferdinand’s arrival.
Harriet appeared, slightly trembling before Alia, her face flustered with guilt and regret.
Her once-proud countenance was now fragile, with her eyes rimd red with threatening tears.
Beside her stood Ferdinand, his calm and earnest expression offering a steady counterpoint to her trembling figure.
"Hello Alia..." Ferdinand greeted with a warm smile. Sorry we ca unannounced.
"Sure Ferdinand...." Alia replied drily. She didn’t bother to stand up and welco them.
Rather, she folded her hands neatly on her lap, her voice polite but laced with quiet restraint.
"Aunt Harriet... to what do I owe this uninvited visit?"
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