Unspoken Ties

The boy’s words beside him seemed to echo in the air. For a moment, William froze. His steps halting in the middle of the crowd as a strange rush washed over him.

"What?" he asked again, a disbelieving smile tugging at his lips. Once more, he glanced down at the adorable little boy clinging tightly to his index finger.

"My Daddy!" Caelric repeated, his wide eyes blinking with earnestness.

"First, because you saved me from that old man earlier. Second, like you said. Our eyes are the same color! And third—"

"Okay... That’s enough, boy." 

William quickly shook his head, stifling a laugh. He bent his knees so he was level with the child, then reached out and ruffled the boy’s slightly curly hair with fond exasperation.

"I did save you from that old man, but I’m not your daddy," he said gently, watching the little boy blink rapidly at his words.

"Our eyes may look alike, but did you know about three percent of people in the world also have gray eyes?"

"I didn’t know that," Caelric admitted with innocent honesty, shaking his head. "What I do know is that my mommy and my graddy don’t have the same eye color as me, so I figured my daddy must be the one who does."

William couldn’t help smiling at the clever boy in front of him. "Have you really never seen a picture of your daddy?"

"Mommy never says anything about Daddy." Caelric’s lips jutted out in a small pout. "Whenever I ask, she always changes the subject."

William studied the boy’s expression and suddenly fell silent. Pity tugged at him. Instinctively, his hand lifted to cup the child’s chubby cheek before he leaned in and pulled him into a hug.

"Your daddy must be so lucky to have a son like you!"

"Why lucky? If he was, why doesn't Daddy ever see me and Mommy?" Caelric shot back, raising his brows slightly.

Hearing that William shifted his gaze for a moment. For some reason, he felt as if he were staring at a younger version of himself. The child was sharp for his age and bold enough to challenge every word he said.

"Sometimes adult matters are complicated, boy. Maybe one day, when you’re older, you’ll understand." William gently patted the boy’s small shoulder. "For now, let’s find your mommy. You didn’t come here alone, did you?"

Caelric exhaled softly and nodded. "I came with Mommy and the others. I got separated because I was chasing a butterfly my sister liked."

"Wow, you’re really thoughtful!"

At the praise, Caelric’s face lit up again. He pointed back the way he’d come, glancing around anxiously when he saw no familiar faces nearby.

"So, what does your mommy look like?"

Pressing a finger to his cheek in thought, Caelric replied, "My mommy’s really pretty! She has long hair, and her eyes are brown!"

"What is she wearing?"

"This afternoon she wore the clothes I picked out! A blue T-shirt and denim shorts!"

As Caelric described his mother, William’s gaze suddenly snagged on a woman moving through the crowd. He couldn’t clearly make out the color of her clothes. He was too focused on the way her hair streamed behind her in the breeze.

"Selena? No… Serena?" William quickly shook his head, muttering under his breath. Impossible. A woman like Serena would never be in a place like this.

Forcing his attention back, William scanned the area again. He was about to guide Caelric away in case his mother had moved elsewhere, when suddenly three men in dark sunglasses strode toward them.

"Forgive us if Mr. Caelric caused you any trouble, sir," one of them said politely. "He accidentally got separated from the group."

William glanced at the men, then bent down to ask the boy quietly, "Do you know them?"

"Yes, Daddy. These uncles are my bodyguards!"

Hearing himself called Daddy again, William chuckled. He crouched lower so their height difference wasn’t so stark, resting his hands lightly on the boy’s shoulders.

"Don’t call me Daddy, I’m not your daddy. Just call me William."

"William?" Caelric scrunched his brows together. "But Mommy says it’s rude to call older people by their name alone. Can I call you Daddy William instead?"

"Not Daddy," William nearly laughed out loud at the boy’s stubborn gaze. "How about Uncle William or Uncle Will?"

Caelric turned briefly to glance at his bodyguards, as if seeking their approval though he didn’t really need it. 

"Alright!" Finally, he nodded. "I’ll call you Cool Uncle Will! Hopefully, next time we meet, you’ll already be my Daddy!"

William burst into laughter, caught completely off guard. He had no idea how to respond to a child so determined to claim him as a father.

Impossible, of course. If he married Cassandra, he’d already decided he didn’t want children. The very thought stirred an old ache in his chest, especially when he remembered Selena confessing once that she had been carrying his child.

"Thank you, Uncle Will! I’m really going to miss you!"

The boy threw his arms around him without warning. William froze. A warmth spread through him, catching him unprepared. He glanced around, making sure he was really being hugged by a child. And when the embrace ended, he was left with an emptiness that startled him.

William stared after the boy, unaware that a pair of eyes had been watching him intently from afar. The figure clutched a ball tightly with emotions roiling within. And when another set of footsteps approached, she hastily wiped her face and schooled her features into a mask of calm.

"Excuse me, Miss Serena," one of the bodyguards said. "I just wanted to inform you that Mr. Caelric has been found. He was with a stranger, but he’s safe. Would you like us to investigate the man further?"

Serena quickly shook her head, drawing a deep breath. "No need. I know that man. Just thank him for me, and bring Caelric back."

"Yes, ma’am. Anyone else?"

"Yes," Serena added as she reached for something nearby. Her gaze softened just slightly before hardening again. "Don't tell him my name even once. Give this to him instead. Just tell him it’s a token of my gratitude as Caelric’s mother!"