Chapter 246 246

Chapter 246 246
Lucas had barely disappeared down the hallway when Blair heard quick, frantic little footsteps coming straight toward the room.

“Mommy!”

Blair’s face immediately lit up, every trace of exhaustion vanishing from her eyes.

Before she could even sit up properly, Mave came barreling through the doorway, his tiny sneakers squeaking against the polished floor as he sprinted straight toward her.

“Mommy!”
Blair opened her arms wide just in time.

Mave crashed into her, wrapping his little arms tightly around her waist with all the strength his little body had.

“Oof—” Blair laughed softly, a sudden burst of warmth filling her chest as she held him close. “My baby.”

She pressed a deep, lingering kiss against his dark hair, squeezing her eyes shut as she breathed him in.

Mave pulled back just enough to look up at her face, his big, bright eyes scanning her features with serious concern. “Mommy, are you okay?”

“I’m okay now, sweet boy,” Blair whispered, her thumb gently brushing a lock of hair away from his forehead. “I just got a little tired, that’s all.”

Mave studied her intently for a second before his gaze darted around the quiet room, searching the corners. “Where’s Daddy?”

Blair’s lips curved into a soft smile. “Daddy has some important work to handle.”

Mave’s little face fell slightly, his lips forming a tiny pout. “He left?”

“Just for a little while,” Blair murmured, pulling him closer and pressing a sweet kiss to his cheek. “He’ll be back soon.”

Mave looked back toward the open doorway, his little shoulders tense as if expecting Lucas to suddenly step back inside. “Promise?”

Blair’s smile deepened, full of quiet certainty. “Promise.”

She gently tapped the tip of his nose, making him blink. “But while Daddy is gone…”

Mave looked back at her, his curiosity piqued.

“…we get to play together before he gets back.”

His entire face brightened instantly, his dimples showing. “Really?”

Blair let out a quiet laugh, the sound lighter than it had been in years. “Really.”

Mave immediately scrambled onto the sofa beside her, kicking his feet back and forth against the cushions. “What are we playing?”

Blair wrapped a warm arm around his small shoulders, leaning her head against his despite how faint and weak her body still felt. “You get to choose.”

Mave tapped his chin, his brows pulling together in deep thought for two whole seconds before his eyes lit up. “Daddy and Mommy game!”

Blair raised an eyebrow, a fond smile twitching at her lips. “What’s that?”

“You be Mommy. I be Daddy!”

Blair burst out laughing, the sweet sound echoing against the tall ceilings. “You want to be Daddy?”

Mave nodded proudly, puffing out his chest as far as it would go. “I’m big like Daddy.”

Blair pulled him into another tight hug, kissing his forehead. “Yes, you are, my little man.”

Mave had barely finished explaining how he was going to be “Daddy” when the door clicked open once more.

Their little game came to an abrupt stop.

Blair looked up, her breath catching in her chest as her eyes widened. “Mom?”
Her mother stood right in the doorway, looking fragile but whole, bathed in the soft morning light filtering through the hall.

For a second, Blair just stared, her mind struggling to bridge the gap between five years of painful separation and the woman standing right in front of her. 

Then, ignoring the dull ache in her limbs, Blair quickly pushed herself up from the sofa and crossed the room.
“Mom!”
Her mother opened her arms, and Blair collapsed into them, burying her face into her shoulder as she held her with everything she had.

“I thought you were resting at the secondary estate,” Blair whispered, her voice thick as she squeezed her tight. “How did you get here?”

Her mother pulled back slightly, a faint, tearful smile touching her lips. “I wouldn’t have been able to make it here on my own without Lucas’s help.”

Blair blinked, her chest warming instantly. “Lucas?

Her mother gave a small nod. “He had his head security personally bring me straight to the Manor the moment the grounds were secured. He said I belonged near my daughter.”

A soft, helpless smile touched Blair’s lips. Of course he did.
From across the room, Mave was standing by the couch, his little hands clasped together as he stared up at the unfamiliar woman with wide, curious eyes.

Blair noticed his silent gaze and turned around softly. “Mave…”

The little boy tilted his head, looking up at his mother.

Blair walked back over, crouching down to gently take his small hand in hers. “There’s someone very special I want you to meet.”

Mave looked over at the older woman, his fingers tightening slightly around Blair’s.

“This is my mommy,” Blair whispered softly, her thumb caressing his hand.

Her mother’s face softened completely as she stepped closer. “And you must be Mave.”
Mave gave a shy, hesitant nod.

Blair smiled, looking between the two of them. “Mave, this is your granny.”
His big brown eyes went wide as saucers. “My granny?”

“Your granny,” Blair confirmed, her heart swelling.

Her mother’s eyes instantly brimmed with fresh tears. “Oh, come here, my sweet boy.”

She knelt down on the carpet and opened her arms wide. Mave hesitated for only a fraction of a second, looking to Blair for a quick nod of reassurance, before taking a few small steps straight into her embrace.

His grandmother scooped him close, resting her chin against the top of his head as a sob escaped her throat. “Oh my goodness,” she whispered, laughing through her tears. “Look at you... you look just like your mother did.”

Mave giggled into her shoulder. “You’re squeezing me tight!”

His grandmother quickly loosened her grip, wiping her wet cheek with a soft laugh. “Oh, I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

Mave pulled back to study her face, taking in her bright, teary eyes before a huge, dimpled smile broke across his face. “It’s okay.”

Blair stood beside them, resting a hand against her chest as a profound sense of warmth settled deep in her soul.

Her mother gently stroked Mave’s cheek. “I’m your granny. You can call me Granny.”

“Granny,” Mave repeated, testing out the new word with a proud nod.

“Yes, my sweet boy.”
Mave looked at her eagerly. “Can you play the Daddy and Mommy game with me?”

His grandmother let out a bright, surprised laugh. “Already?”

Mave nodded with utmost seriousness. “I’m the Daddy.”
Blair pressed a hand over her mouth, trying—and failing—to muffle her laugh.

Her mother looked up at Blair, her eyes shining with pure joy. “I think I just made a brand new best friend.”

Mave grinned, wrapping his little arms tightly around her neck. “I like you, Granny.”

“And I love you already,” she whispered, holding him close.