The One

Family Time

After lunch, the trio ventured out into the day, their time together unfolding in a whirlwind of laughter, movies, and shopping. As evening descended, they found themselves at the nearby Funfair Park, excitement crackling in the air.

"Mummy, mummy! Can I have ice cream again, please?" Luka pleaded, his eyes wide with hope.

"No, sweetheart! You can't have more ice cream; you just had some an hour ago. Don't you want to avoid a tummy ache?" Karol replied gently, a hint of exasperation creeping into her voice.

"No~," Luka pouted, turning to hug Christian, who beamed down at them both.

"Listen to Mummy, okay, my prince?" Christian said, lifting Luka into his arms. Then, leaning closer, he whispered, "Tomorrow, we'll sneak out without Mummy and eat ice cream," his eyes sparkling with playful wickedness, ensuring his mate would overhear, setting the stage for tomorrow's secret adventure.

"I heard that, and you don't teach my son to be bad," she said, her voice laced with disapproval.

"Hehe, sorry mummy," Luka chirped, his innocence radiating.

"Let's go home now; it's getting late, and Luka, it's past your bedtime." She leaned close, a soft smile illuminating her features as she looked at him. "Okay, let's head back home."

"I want mummy to carry me," Luka insisted with a pout.

"Okay, buddy, go to mummy," Christian replied, passing his son to her with a gentle grace.

As the trio ambled towards the main gate, their path was abruptly interrupted by the shrill ring of her phone, forcing her to carefully set Luka down before answering.

"Hello?" she greeted, her tone suddenly shifting to brisk professionalism.

"Huh-uh... Hmm... okay, see you at Gate B," she concluded, her brow furrowing as she cut the call.

Just as they approached Gate B, Luka's voice broke through. "Mummy, I want to pee!"

"Oh, sweety, em, okay, let's go to the toilet." She halted mid-step, scanning the area for a nearby facility, spotting one just a few metres ahead.

Before she could move, Christian stepped in, offering assistance. "Karol, let me take him. You go ahead and get into the car first." He handed her the car keys and strode off with Luka in his arms, a strong presence beside the small boy.

She continued towards the main entrance of Gate B, her eyes searching until they settled on a familiar figure waiting near the car park. Determinedly, she marched towards him, but not before reaching out to her son mentally.

'Baby, I'll be waiting for you two on the right side of Gate B,' she thought, her maternal instinct for connectivity ever-present.

'Okay, mummy,' Luka replied.

"Brian," she called out, stepping closer, her tone curt.

"Ma'am, sorry to disturb you, but our branch at Filtiarn has been breached," he replied, concern etched across his face.

Arms folded tightly, her stance radiated anger. "How so?"

"Here's the footage." Brian opened his phone, the blue light flickering as he played the video, urgency crackling in the air.

"They didn't harm the others, right?"

"No, it seems they targeted the place at night when no one was around and left this behind." He passed her a photo, the incriminating image flashing across the screen.

She held his phone tightly, a chill washing over her as she murmured, "I know what you did 12 years ago. Clue: Conry." Confusion knitted her brows, her expression a storm of puzzlement.

"That's wh-"

"Uncle Briiiaaannnn!" Luka's high-pitched scream interrupted, his tiny legs propelling him into Brian's open arms, which welcomed him warmly.

"Oh my, Luka boy, you're getting bigger and more handsome!" Brian exclaimed, lifting him effortlessly, pride radiating from his smile.

"Hehe, I'm a big boy now, uncle!" Luka beamed with delight.

"You are, aren't you? A big boy who protects mummy."

"Yes, I am, and so does my daddy. He said he'll protect both of us," he continued, his small finger pointing at his father who approached, a shadow of tension evident in the air.

"Sorry ma'am, I didn't know this was family time," Brian apologised, his voice tinged with guilt.

"Don't worry about it, Brian. We're heading home too since it's past Luka's bedtime," she replied, her expression softening momentarily.

"Why are you here, uncle? Are you going to play with us?" Luka asked eagerly.

"No, Luka boy, I have some important things to discuss with your mother. That's why I'm here." Brian's tone was earnest, his affection for Luka clear as he continued to cradle the boy.

'Fuck this guy! He can't carry our baby boy. Not in this life or the next. This is our family, motherfucker,' Christian thought, a growl of disapproval rumbling within him.

"Luka, baby, come here!" Christian said, extending his arms, a deep desire to reclaim his son surging within him.

The air was thick with jealousy and suppressed anger as Christian internalised his feelings, knowing he would later question Luka about Brian. She, still agitated by the memories resurfacing from 12 years ago, decided to curtail their meeting.

"Okay, Brian, see you when I get back. Try to settle this as soon as possible. I hired you for a reason; don't disappoint me." Her authoritative tone cut through the air, sending an electric shiver down Christian's spine.

'Did you see that? He has a fucking feeling for our mate! That fuckboy isn't going to lay a hand on our family,' Arlo growled lowly, escalating the tension.

'Is our mate a dominant one? Because she looks hot while being so authoritative,' Christian thought back, Arlo growling in agreement.

"Okay ma'am, I will settle this matter. Have a good night, and bye, Luka boy," Brian said as he began to back away.

"Bye, uncle!" Luka chirped, oblivious to the undercurrents swirling around him.

"Did you wash his hands and face?" she asked her mate, who still held an almost sleeping Luka against him.

"Hands, yes, but face, no," Christian replied, determination in his voice as they both walked towards the car.

"Do we have mineral water in the car?" she queried, her mind now focused on her son's comfort.

"Yes, we do. Let me just put him down and grab it for you," Christian replied, gently placing Luka on the ground before opening the door for him and then swiftly retrieving a bottle of mineral water. He handed it to his mate, their fingers brushing momentarily.

"Thanks," she responded, pouring some of the liquid onto a handkerchief she found nestled in Luka's carry bag, alongside a change of clothes.

She hopped into the back seat, her movements deft as she wiped Luka's face clean, before changing him into his soft pyjamas, the day's adventures washing away.

After securing the dirty clothes in a provided plastic bag, she tucked everything neatly back inside, her heart warming at the sight of her son in his nightwear. "Okay, let's go home." She buckled him into his car seat and their little family was finally ready to leave.

As they arrived at the Randale house, Christian smoothly lifted Luka into his arms and carried him swiftly to his room, feeling a wave of protectiveness. He bid his mate goodnight before stepping out, the serene night enveloping him as the day drew to a close