Whispers of Serendipity

Chapter 38: Giggles and Glow

As the grand house of the Andersons echoed with the haunting whispers of regret,
Eleanora and Tommy enjoyed a cozy winter afternoon in their hotel room, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing within her family. They've been on rest for a few days now, and starting the next day, the team will start their second round of campaign events around remaining selected locations.

Eleanora had her laptop on her lap, running through her schedule for the final time. The warmth of her thick and cozy blanket cocooned her, shielding her from the winter chill. A steaming cup of hot chocolate sat on the bedside table, filing the room with its comforting aroma. Outside, snowflakes danced delicately in the chilly wintry breeze, casting an alluring and serene aura over the Everwood Landscape.
Despite the allure of relaxation, Eleanora stayed focused on her work, preparing herself for the upcoming week.

Or so she thought.

"Mommy, look, there's another one there." Tommy exclaimed, pointing out another winter bird yet again from his seat next to the window, perched up on the comfy couch, all bundled up in winter wear.

"Yes dear, there are so many." Eleanora sighed but smiled. The thing is, little Tommy was supposed to take his afternoon nap after lunch, which he is very diligent at.
But somehow, the kid is super energetic on this special day, and it's been 2 hours already, yet no signs of sleep could be seen in his eyes.

Instead, he did a few interesting things to entertain himself after realizing that his mommy would be busy for the time being.
First, he ran around the room to escape his mommy, leading to them getting a knock on their door by one of her team members, asking if everything is alright.

Rare moment when Eleanora had her cheeks on fire.

Second, he spent an hour asking nonsense questions with great curiosity and enthusiasm to his mommy, rolling over her legs, over the blanket. And poor Eleanora answered every time with equal patience and gentleness, all the while probing him to take his nap. She didn't get mad, though. She could never get mad at her Tommy for any reason.

Although the question,"Do penguins have fun sliding on the ice?" immensely caught her off guard.

Now, he is watching the outside covered in innumerable snow blankets, making finger patterns on the window glass and occasionally spotting winter birds and other living creatures to his mommy, with great Gusto.

"Mommy, there are people walking outside in snow. It's dangers." He looked over his mommy and again at the people walking outside. 

Eleanora chuckled at his mispronounciation but decided to let it slide; he was three after all. "Yes, baby, it is. And do you know not having your nap is also dangerous?" She tried again, her 34th attempt, apparently.

He gave her a skeptical look, which clearly states he isn't convinced. "Really?"

She bit back a chuckle. Over time, since she had found Tommy on that fateful night, he had been coming out of his shy shell and started acting like a three year old kid. Initially, he was always careful around everyone and everything, but gradually, he got more open to Eleanora and her routine. It's so much that he doesn't go to sleep at night until his mommy doesn't give him his good night kiss and cuddle.

"Yeah, really. If you won't have your afternoon nap regularly, the hidden monsters from the dreamland will haunt you in your sleep." She tried brewing a lie, clearly having mastered herself in this field.
Finally finished with her work, she stretched her arms and closed her laptop, placing it on the beside table, now completely focusing on her hyper son.

Tommy giggled,"You're lying." His little mind knew his mommy very well at this point.

"You wanna see one for yourself?" Eleanora challenged, mischief in her eyes, as she plotted her next playful prank with a mischievous grin.

Before Tommy could react, Eleanora leaped out of bed like a playful sprite, her eyes dancing with mischief.
With a mischievous grin, she grabbed the cozy blanket she had been snuggled up in and tossed it over Tommy's tiny form, surprising him. Giggling with excitement, she scooped him up in her arms and settled onto the couch, Tommy giggling along with her. Despite his attempts to squirm away, she playfully wrapped him up in the blanket, both of them bursting into uncontrollable laughter. "I've got you now, Tommy dear! You can't escape me now!" she exclaimed, her heart brimming with affection.

"Ohh, mommy! not fair." Tommy whined, pouting at his mom. Deep inside, he undoubtedly enjoyed this.

"You merrily troubled mommy all this while, not fair too. Now come on, take your nap, or you'll get cranky if you don't."
She pinched his cheek and got up from the couch along with tommy, warpped up in the blanket like a burrito.
Eleanora playfully dropped him on the bed, causing him to roll over and burst into a fit of laughter. The room echoed with Tommy's giggles, warming the environment even more, while Eleanora made the bed and adjusted his pillows.

"You won't come?" Tommy asked, hoping to have his mother by his side while he naps. Although Eleanora planned to have an online meeting with her members and seniors regarding their campaign, the puppy eyes and pout on his lips gave her enough reasons to delay it for a while; or at least until he drifts off to sleep.

"I'll be right here, baby. I'm not leaving." She got under the covers and scooted closer to him, who instantly snuggled into her arms basking in her warmth. Finally, adjusting both of them on their cozy bed under the cozy blanket, she found Tommy intently looking at her.

"Still not feeling sleepy?" She asked, caressing his soft hair.

Tommy just smiled and shook his head, cuddling closer to Eleanora.

"I love you, Mommy." He shyly whispered, getting overwhelmed by the affection and warmth his mommy radiated from herself.

Eleanora tightened her embrace, pulling him closure. No matter how many times she'd heard him saying those words, she still gets flooded with happiness and promises herself to become the best mother she could be to her son.

"I love you too, son."

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