Drifting Grace [An Alastor Fanfiction] [PROOFREADING]

Chapter 8 [PR]

Please read the Author's Note at the bottom for words written in bold! 

Emma Lovett

As I sat on the bench, I took a deep breath and let out a sigh of despair. Alastor and Alvin have been non-stop arguing and giving each other a stink eye, leaving me to completely ignore both of them out of annoyance.

From a bystander's perspective, it would look odd. A woman with a child is walking with a man who looks nothing like him. I've been given a few looks, to which I only smiled, and went along with the day.

The walk to the park was horrible, Alvin gave Alastor snide remarks whilst Alastor added salt to the wound by replying with sass and know-it-all comments. The only interaction I've had with them both so far was standing in between them in hopes it wouldn't grow too deep.

I sigh, looking down at my attire. I wore my favorite blue blouse and a white pleated skirt that reached right below my knees along with some walking shoes. The picnic basket that sat on my lap was of no use, seeing as the two were still sending silent threats to one another. I sigh loudly and stood up, walking over to an open spot in the grass and laying down a mat to sit on.

I turn to look at Alastor and Alvin once again, they gave me sweet fake smiles as I responded with a frown. It was annoying how they think I was oblivious to the ever so present tension.

So annoying.

I huffed and sat down on the mat, my skirt flowing down like a princess bowing to a prince. I just sat, without uttering a word to the boys, and took out the orange juice container.

"Alastor, Alvin. I really don't seem to understand why you both dislike each other so much," Was what I wanted to say. Alastor seemed like a fine young man but I simply can't ignore Alvin's hatred towards him.

They both hesitantly sat down on the mat and I couldn't help peek at them both. Alvin had his hands crossed over his chest, while Alastor gives me a bright smile. It seems Alastor had won some type of argument. Who would've thought a grown man would look so happy after dispute with a little boy?

I let out another soft sigh, it feels like I was dealing with two immature children.

"Mommy, can I go to the playground?" Alvin asks, eagerly. My heart flutters at the name he calls me. I smile at him, kissing the top of his head.

"Don't go too far, sweetheart," I told him. He beams me a wide smile and runs towards the slides and swings situated in the middle of the park. I watched his little feet find it's way to the other children.

A content smile makes it's way to my face and I finally relaxed. Caring for a child indeed wasn't easy, it was a blessing how well-mannered and polite Alvin was whenever he was with me. He would often help me with the chores after his studies and sometimes would come over to the living room when he felt affectionate. He seems happy, but I can never really tell -- assuming he was happy would disregard any other bad feeling he had with me.

A light cough disrupted my thought and I turned to the fluffy-haired man.

"May I ask you a question, Emma?" He asks. I nod and take a sip of my juice, urging him to continue. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but who is Alvin's father?"

I stopped sipping from the cup and slowly put it down on my lap. Thinking of a more polite way to say 'Oh, his parents were awful'.

"Should I tell you what happened the day before yesterday, Alastor?" I asked him. He nods, seemingly interested by the way he smiled.

It was odd to think he had different expressions when all he had was a smile. When he was humored, his lips would twitch. When he was upset, his eyes would twitch. When he found something interesting, the darks of his pupils showed a glint of interest. Sometimes it made him seem like he only asked to gain useful dirt.