Alina turned instantly. "Sable," she called softly, her heart lting at the sight of him. "Co here, sweetheart. You didn’t disturb anything."
Alia blinked, then smiled, slowly and warmly, as if she were afraid even her expression might scare him. "Oh..." she murmured, eyes lighting up. "So this is one of the little ones."
Sable looked at Dante for confirmation, his fingers tightening around the candy wrapper. Dante nodded gently. "It’s alright. Co in."
Still cautious, Sable padded forward a few steps, then stopped again, peeking up at Alia with wide, curious eyes. "Are... are you Mom’s mom?" he asked in a whisper, as if speaking louder might break sothing.
Alia’s hand flew to her chest. "Oh my goodness," she said softly. "He’s polite."
Alina laughed through the lingering tears in her eyes. "Yes, Sable. She’s my mother."
Sable’s mouth ford a small, round "o." He looked at Alia again, this ti with open curiosity instead of fear. "You look... very kind," he said seriously, then hesitated and added, "And... very shiny."
Dante choked back a laugh.
Alia burst into soft laughter, delighted. "Shiny?" she repeated. "That’s because I don’t have much hair left, little one."
Sable stared, then nodded solemnly, as if that explained everything. "Dad said less hair ans more wisdom," he offered earnestly.
Dante raised an eyebrow. "I never said that."
"You did," Sable insisted, turning to him. "When that elder’s beard fell off."
Alina covered her mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly.
Alia was openly smiling now, her earlier worry completely forgotten. "Well then," she said, extending her hand slightly, careful not to overwhelm him, "I’m Alia. You can call Grandma... if you want."
Sable looked at her hand, then at Alina, then finally at Dante. After a second of serious consideration, he toddled forward and placed the candy gently into Alia’s palm.
"This is for you," he said shyly. "Candy makes people happy."
Alia’s eyes filled instantly. She closed her fingers around it like it was sothing precious. "Thank you," she whispered. "You already made very happy."
Sable relaxed, a small, proud smile creeping onto his face, and for the first ti since entering the room, he leaned comfortably against Alina’s leg, safe again.
"Little one... co here," Alia said after studying him carefully, her voice gentle and full of warmth.
Alina laughed softly, already knowing what her mother wanted. She reached down and lifted Sable up with ease, settling him against her chest. Sable’s eyes widened at being picked up so suddenly, his small fingers clutching at Alina’s sleeve as he peeked at Alia again.
"So cute..." Alia murmured, completely enchanted. She looked at Dante then, a little hesitant but hopeful. "Can I hold him?"
Dante watched Sable’s face instead of answering imdiately. When he saw the boy wasn’t scared, just shy, he nodded once. "Yes."
Alia’s smile widened. She patted her lap lightly. "Can I hold you, little one?" she asked softly.
Sable hesitated for a second, then nodded, slow and serious, before carefully crawling out of Alina’s arms and into Alia’s. He moved as if handling sothing fragile, afraid of doing it wrong, until Alia wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close.
"Oh..." she breathed, grinning in pure delight. "You’re so small, little one."
Sable’s cheeks turned pink instantly. He squird a little, embarrassed, then straightened his back as much as his tiny body allowed. "Yeah..." he said shyly. "I will grow up when I get bigger."
Alina burst out laughing, covering her mouth. Dante’s lips twitched despite himself.
Alia laughed too, the sound light and musical. "That makes perfect sense," she said warmly. "Then tell , Sable... how big do you want to grow?"
Sable’s eyes sparkled as he thought. He lifted his little hand high in the air, stretching his fingers as far as they would go. "This big," he declared seriously. Then he glanced at Dante, reconsidered, and raised his hand even higher. "No... this big."
Alia followed the motion dramatically, craning her neck. "Oh my! That’s very big."
"I want to be taller than Dad," Sable added in a whisper, as if confessing a great secret.
Dante finally snorted. "Dream on."
Sable gasped, offended. "I will eat vegetables," he said firmly. "And sleep early."
"That’s a dangerous plan," Alia said solemnly, nodding in approval. "Very powerful."
Sable looked proud, his small chest puffing up. He relaxed fully into her arms now, one hand resting against her sweater, the other holding onto her sleeve. After a mont, his curiosity returned, and he tilted his head to look at her closely.
"You don’t have much hair," he said honestly, without a trace of malice.
Alina froze for half a second, then laughed nervously. "Sable—"
But Alia only chuckled. "That’s true," she said easily. "I lost most of it."
Sable frowned, thinking hard. "Does it grow back... or did it run away?"
That did it. Alina laughed so hard she had to sit down. Even Dante turned his face away, shoulders shaking slightly.
"I think it ran away," Alia said with a wink. "But it left all the love behind."
Sable considered that, then nodded, satisfied. "That’s okay then." He leaned forward suddenly and hugged her neck, small arms wrapping around her with surprising strength. "You feel warm. Like Mom."
Alina’s eyes stung instantly.
Alia held him closer, her smile softening into sothing deeply emotional. "Then you can stay as long as you like," she whispered.
Sable relaxed completely, resting his head against her chest.
"What’s your brother’s na... and where is he?" Alia asked gently, rembering Dante had ntioned two children.
Before Dante could answer, Sable lifted his head from her shoulder, his brows knitting together in concentration, as if the question required very serious thought. "Lucien," he said clearly. "His na is Lucien."
Then he paused, confusion creeping into his little face. He glanced toward the door, as if picturing the scene outside. "I ca to find Mom and Dad," he continued honestly, "and he is having fun with... Aunt Lyla."
The word ca out a little uncertain, like he was testing it on his tongue.
Sable frowned slightly, clearly bothered by sothing. Alina always called Lyla aunt, and that made things complicated in his head. He shifted in Alia’s arms and looked up at her with wide, earnest eyes.
"Mom calls her aunt," he said softly, almost whispering his logic, "so... should I also call her aunt? Or is she... Mom’s aunt, so maybe she is my... extra aunt?"
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