obsessively mine

CH#15 HIM

I was still processing the whirlwind of information I'd just learned about Stacey when the doorbell rang, breaking through my thoughts. Alfred, ever punctual, stood up and went to answer it. As the door creaked open, a small boy, no older than three or four, burst through with an infectious smile, immediately latching onto Alfred's legs.

"Little master... how did you get here?" Alfred asked, his voice softening as he bent down to ruffle the boy's messy hair.

"I missed Mama and you, so I came back!" the boy said, his words bubbling over with excitement. His innocence made me chuckle, even though I hadn't meant to. The boy must have heard me, because his attention shifted toward me, curiosity lighting up his wide eyes. Pointing a tiny finger in my direction, he looked up at Alfred.

"Who's that, Uncle Alfred?" he asked, his voice a mix of wonder and caution.

Alfred's face creased into a knowing smile as he glanced my way. "That's our guest, little master. Won't you greet him? Mama will be upset if you forget your manners."

The boy hesitated, eyeing me curiously, before shuffling a few steps toward me. But just as quickly, his gaze snapped toward the door again. His eyes sparkled with joy, and he let out an excited squeal.

"MAMA IS HERE!" he shouted, his small voice reverberating through the hall before he dashed out the door, his laughter trailing behind like a breeze.

Startled, I stood up from my seat and followed him outside, curiosity tugging at me. As I stepped through the doorway, I saw him run straight into Stacey's arms. They embraced like the world had shrunk to just the two of them, and I couldn't help but watch from a distance.

Her arms wrapped protectively around him as he buried his face in her shoulder, and they both seemed completely absorbed in their reunion. The scene was tender, beautiful even, though something about it stirred an unfamiliar feeling inside me.

"Who's that kid?" I asked, turning to Alfred, who had silently followed me outside.

Alfred looked at them for a moment, his expression soft and unreadable. "That's Kevin," he said quietly, his voice touched with warmth. "He's... the heart of this household."

I glanced back at Stacey and Kevin, now sitting in the grass, the boy laughing as Stacey tickled him lightly. "He's got so much energy," I remarked, watching their playful interaction. "He's a great kid."

Alfred gave a nod, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "He is," he agreed, his voice low, almost reverent. "He's more than that—he's everything to her."

I nodded, sensing the depth of that statement. There was something about the bond between Stacey and Kevin that I hadn't fully grasped yet, but it was clear that Kevin wasn't just her son—he was her world.

Kevin glanced over his shoulder toward me, and for a second, our eyes met. He smiled shyly before turning back to Stacey with a happy shout, "Mama, let's play!"

As I stood there, observing them, I turned to Alfred again. "You can tell how much she loves him."

Alfred's expression softened even more. "She's been through a lot. That boy... he's her light in the dark."

We watched as Kevin and Stacey played in the fading sunlight, her laughter joining his in the air. It was a scene filled with lightness, yet it only deepened the sense of mystery that seemed to surround them both.

As we walked back inside, I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever I had stumbled upon was far more complicated than I had initially thought.

And it wasn't something I could walk away from just yet.