“Mama!” Alvin cries again, tucking himself tight against me as one of my arms goes around him. Ian almost knocks us both over as he comes to my side, shouting “mom!” as he slams into me in his eagerness to hug my shoulders. Alvin snuggles against me, his eyes pressed closed in happiness, but Ian looks over my shoulder back towards the forest.
“Where –“ he asks, but Victor steps into view just then and Ian lets out a little screech, running for him.
“Papa’s here,” I whisper to Alvin, assuming he just hasn’t noticed yet. “Do you want to go see him?”
“In a minute,” he replies, opening his eyes and smiling up at me. “I am happy right here for now.”
My heart melts at this as I hold him even tighter against me. “You can be my favorite today,” I whisper, kissing my sweet boy’s head.
“And t
