Alie smiled softly, seeing the text confirmation from Katelyn. She lowered the phone beside her and imdiately held Noah closer, maintaining a gentle but firm grip on his milk bottle as he continued to suck contentedly. "Your aunt has confessed her feelings to Sage," she whispered to the pup.
Noah moved his mouth away when he felt full. His eyes, suddenly shining with a bright, infant curiosity, flustered Alie slightly. She quickly pulled up a soft handkerchief and wiped the milk residue from his mouth. "Your eyes are so beautiful, baby," she murmured, captivated.
Noah suddenly gripped her finger with his tiny hand, refusing to let go. Alie smiled, leaning down to kiss Noah’s forehead.
Just then, Gabriel entered the bedroom, fixing the watch on his wrist, preparing for his departure later that evening.
"Your daddy is here," Alie said, sitting up straighter. Noah turned his tired eyes toward Gabriel while Alie gently patted his belly. His eyelids were already getting heavy as sleep began taking over him.
"Did Noah have his food?" Gabriel sat down in front of them. His hand instinctively moved to the top of Noah’s head, sharing his calming warmth with the pup.
"Yes. And now, he’s going to take a nap," Alie confird, lowering her head to look at the drowsy Noah.
"Noah, protect your mother when I’m not around. I know you will," Gabriel whispered to the pup. He kissed the pup’s forehead one last ti. As he sat straight, he found that Noah had drifted off, fast asleep.
"How will Noah protect ? Shouldn’t it be other way around?" Alie mused.
"You told once that from the beginning sowhere Noah has protected you as well," Gabriel reminded her. She smiled as she recalled those words.
"I’ll try returning tomorrow morning," Gabriel inford Alie, his hand lingering near Noah. "I can’t be away from you and Noah for too long."
"Wait!" Alie quickly interjected. She gently lowered the sleeping Noah onto the soft blanket, covering him up to his chest. She then turned her full attention to Gabriel.
"If Carlos needs you, then stay. I know he’s alone there. I an, he has his own people, but he doesn’t consider them as soone with whom he can truly share his troubles. Also, his grandmother is his everything. If a healer could keep his grandmother alive for more ti, then it will be better."
Gabriel patted her hands gently. "I don’t know if any healer could do that. Still, we will try."
"Hmm. Tell Carlos that we are with him. And nothing will happen to his grandmother," Alie asserted, conveying a sense of unwavering support. "Also, be a good friend to him, Gabriel. He has no one. His grandmother told a lot of things about him."
"Don’t worry, A. I’ll not let him feel lonely. I won’t leave him alone in this tough ti," Gabriel assured her. "It’s the ti for my departure too."
Alie reached up and kissed him on the lips, taking him aback with the sudden, spontaneous affection. But he imdiately returned the kiss, his large palms cupping her cheeks, pulling her into the mont. The initial warm kisses quickly intensified into passionate ones, and for a brief, tiless mont, neither of them wanted to pull away.
However, Alie, realizing the urgency of the ti and the duty awaiting him, withdrew first, her breath uneven and her eyes fixed on his. "Go. Call when you’ll be at Carlos’ place," Alie managed to say.
"Hmm." Gabriel planted a final soft kiss on her forehead before standing up. She, too, lowered her feet to the ground and rose beside him.
"Ashna will stay with Noah. I’ll see you out," she whispered, turning her head to look at the peaceful, sleeping pup. Gabriel followed her gaze, his expression softening into a tender smile as he looked at his son.
~~~~~
Sage surveyed the dishes arranged for their midday al. With a final touch, he placed a bottle of deep red wine onto the dining table before heading toward the guest room to check on Katelyn.
He tapped gently on the door, then spoke with a slightly raised, inviting voice, "Kate, the lunch is ready. Co out when you’re ready."
He waited a brief, expectant minute before the door opened. Katelyn erged, looking visibly refreshed and relaxed after her short nap, her hair neatly secured in a casual but elegant high bun. She offered him a small smile as she gracefully swept past him. Sage followed, a bright, undeniable smile still playing across his lips.
The mont they entered the dining room, the aromas enveloped them. Sage was imdiately attentive, pulling out a chair for her with a gentlemanly flourish. Katelyn settled onto the seat, her smile widening in appreciation.
"Sage, you cooked a feast!" Katelyn exclaid, her eyes widening at the spread. "Everything looks so incredibly appetizing," she murmured, gazing at the perfectly browned garlic chicken, the vibrant colors of the fresh caprese salad, and the luxurious texture of the creamy garlic parsan risotto.
"Well, I had plenty of ti to focus while you were catching up on sleep," Sage replied smoothly, already placing a generous portion of food onto her plate. He then uncorked the wine and poured the rich liquid into two glasses, leaning in to whisper, "You should know, I am considering this our first official date."
Katelyn looked up, a lovely flush spreading across her cheeks at his bold declaration, but she said nothing, her expression filled with surprise and pleasure. Picking up her fork, she started with the light, fresh salad.
"Mmm..." Katelyn humd softly. Her eyes, filled with genuine pleasure, spoke more eloquently than any statent. She then moved on to the main course, picking up a piece of the aromatic garlic chicken.
As she took the first bite, she was montarily lost in the flavor. The chicken was cooked to utter perfection, tender enough that it seed to lt effortlessly on her tongue, instantly confirming Sage’s skill in the kitchen.
A look of delighted surprise crossed her face. "You’ve definitely earned so major points from , Sage," she complinted him sincerely, setting her fork down briefly. "You truly cook exceptionally well."
"Thank you, Kate," Sage responded with satisfaction. His eyes shimred with unconcealed joy at her praise. "Please, eat as much as you want. I purposely made a generous amount."
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