Mellifuous ✔

Chapter 27: Almost like home

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"Good job, little one," Santiago murmured, his deep voice carrying warmth and steadiness. "You're doing so well."

The sunlight streaming through the kitchen window was soft and golden, painting everything in a warm glow. Santiago sat at the table, his hand resting lightly on Eli's back as the boy nibbled on the edges of a banana. Across from them, Will sipped his coffee, his gaze never straying too far from their son. The quiet hum of the morning was a fragile thing, like glass balancing on the edge of a table, but it held for now.

Eli was still hesitant, his small body hunched as if bracing against something unseen, but he was here. He was eating. It was a tiny triumph, one that Will and Santiago exchanged a glance over, both of their smiles carrying the same bittersweet weight.

Eli glanced up, his eyes wide but less clouded than they'd been days ago. "Okay," he whispered, his voice barely audible. He shifted closer to Santiago's side, as if the proximity alone could anchor him.

Will reached over, offering a piece of toast to Santiago while he refilled his own coffee mug. "What do you think, Eli?" he asked softly, nodding toward the small plate in front of the boy. "Still hungry, or is the banana enough?"

Eli looked at the plate, his tiny brow furrowing as he weighed the question carefully. After a moment, he shook his head, clutching the last bit of the banana tightly as though letting it go would be giving up something more than just breakfast.

"That's okay," Will said gently. "You ate a lot today. I'm proud of you."

Eli's lips twitched, the ghost of a smile flickering there before he pressed closer to Santiago's side again.

The moment, delicate and tender, was broken by the sound of a knock at the door. The sharp noise cut through the quiet, and Eli froze, his small hands flying to clutch Santiago's shirt. His breathing hitched, panic rising in his tiny chest.

"It's okay," Santiago said quickly, his hand rubbing soothing circles on Eli's back. "It's just someone at the door, little one. I'm right here."

Will was already moving toward the door, his steps quick but not rushed. He threw a reassuring glance over his shoulder before pulling it open.

"Surprise!" Harper's bright voice rang out, and before Will could fully take in the sight of Grace and Conall standing with their boys, Harper had darted inside, her curls bouncing as she ran past him. Damion followed more steadily, his arm brushing his father's as he stepped in, his usual calm tempered by an eagerness that made his steps lighter.

Grace and Conall stood in the doorway, their smiles warm but watchful, each of them scanning Will's face for signs of how things had been. "We missed you guys," Grace said softly.

Will returned the smile, stepping aside to let them in. "we missed you too" he admitted, his voice thick.

Inside, Harper was already climbing into a chair, chattering away about everything and nothing, her energy filling the quiet spaces that had lingered in the house. Damion approached slowly, his sharp eyes taking in every detail, but it was Liam who broke the barrier.

"Hey, little brother," Liam said, his voice gentle as he crouched down, meeting Eli's wary gaze with a tenderness that softened the edges of the moment. His knees creaked as he knelt lower, bringing himself eye-to-eye with the little boy. "Can I give you a hug?"

The room seemed to hold its breath. Eli hesitated, his tiny body frozen, his wide, dark eyes flitting from Liam to Will and Santiago. He sought something—permission, reassurance, safety—his fragile trust dangling like a thread in the air. His small hands, pale and trembling, gripped the hem of Santiago's shirt as if letting go might untether him from everything familiar.