Tense Dinner
I didn’t expect to see him at the door. He handed the flowers to me, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
“I expected to see you here. Luckily, I brought flowers,” he said, his tone annoyingly casual.
I blinked at him, unsure of what to say. “Uh, thanks?”
“Who is it, dear?” Lady Isolde’s voice carried from the living room.
I stepped back, opening the door wider for him. “It’s Rowan,” I called out, glancing over my shoulder.
Lady Isolde’s face lit up. “Oh, my darling boy! Finally, you’ve come to visit!”
Rowan stepped inside, his confidence filling the small space as he moved toward her. “Grandmother,” he greeted, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “I thought I’d surprise you.”
She laughed softly, her frail hand patting his cheek. “What a wonderful surprise indeed. Now sit, sit.”
“I should get going,” I muttered, already edging toward the door.
“Nonsense, Remi,” Lady Isolde said firmly, turning her sharp eyes on me. “You’re staying for dinner.”
“Lady Isolde—”
“Do you think I’m too blind to see what’s going on?” she interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument. “The two of you will have dinner together, and that’s final.”
Rowan raised an eyebrow, amused. “She’s quite persuasive, isn’t she?”
“Don’t start,” I hissed, glaring at him before resigning myself to sit beside her.
From the hallway, I heard the twins giggling and whispering.
“Mommy, who’s at the door?” Larry called out, poking his head around the corner. His eyes widened when he saw Rowan. “It’s the man!”
Rowan turned, recognizing him immediately. “Larry, isn’t it?”
Larry nodded, a mix of excitement and hesitation in his expression.
“And who’s this?” Rowan’s gaze shifted to Laura, who peeked shyly from behind Larry, clutching her lollipop like it was a shield.
Laura blinked up at him, her cheeks turning pink. “I’m… Laura,” she said softly, barely audible.
Rowan crouched slightly, meeting her eye level. “Hello, Laura.”
She hesitated, then smiled bashfully. “You’re very handsome.”
Rowan chuckled, glancing at me with a raised eyebrow. “Very handsome, huh?”
“Very handsomeee,” she repeated, drawing out the last word, her voice sweet and innocent.
I groaned inwardly, running a hand over my face. “Laura…”
“What? He is,” she said matter-of-factly, popping the lollipop back into her mouth.
Larry, of course, had to join in. “He’s Handsome Uncle now. That’s your name!”
Rowan grinned, clearly enjoying himself. “Handsome Uncle, huh? I could get used to that.”
“Don’t encourage them,” I snapped, trying to regain control of the situation.
Lady Isolde clapped her hands together, clearly delighted by the interaction. “The children adore you already, Rowan. Perhaps you should visit more often.”
Rowan stood, his gaze flicking to me briefly before settling on his grandmother. “Perhaps I should.”
“Good, good,” Lady Isolde said, nodding approvingly. “Now, everyone to the dining table. Dinner will be ready shortly.”
\---
Dinner was a mix of chaos and awkward silences. Larry and Laura took turns asking Rowan endless questions, from whether he had a dog to what kind of car he drove. Rowan answered each one with surprising patience, his charm on full display.
“So, Handsome Uncle,” Larry began, his serious tone completely at odds with his childish enthusiasm. “Do you fight bad guys?”
Rowan leaned back in his chair, considering the question. “Sometimes. But mostly I help good people win.”
Larry seemed to think this over, nodding solemnly. “That’s cool.”
Laura chimed in, resting her chin on her tiny fists. “Do you have a princess?”
Rowan’s gaze flicked to me for a split second, the corner of his mouth twitching. “No princess,” he said lightly. “Not yet.”
I nearly choked on my water, shooting him a glare. “Rowan—”
“What?” he said innocently, holding back a smirk.
Lady Isolde, oblivious to the tension, laughed. “Perhaps you’ll find one soon, Rowan. The children seem to think you’d make a fine prince.”
Laura nodded enthusiastically. “The handsomest prince!”
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Okay, that’s enough fairy tales for one night.”
“But Mommy—”
“No buts,” I said firmly, standing to start clearing the table. “Bedtime is soon.”
The twins groaned in unison but didn’t argue further, knowing better than to push me.
Rowan followed me into the kitchen, carrying a stack of plates. “You’ve got quite the little fan club.”
I gave him a sidelong glance. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Too late,” he said, his grin making it hard to stay annoyed.
I busied myself rinsing dishes, hoping he’d take the hint and leave. But instead, he leaned casually against the counter, watching me with that infuriatingly unreadable expression.
“You’re good with them,” he said after a moment, his voice softer.
“They’re my kids,” I replied, my tone clipped. “I have to be.”
His brow furrowed slightly, as if he wanted to say more, but instead, he just nodded. “Fair enough.”
The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel his eyes on me as I worked. Finally, he broke the silence.
“Remi,” he began, his tone careful, “we need to talk.”
I froze, the plate slipping slightly in my hands. “About what?”
“About you,” he said, his voice steady but probing. “About us. And why it feels like there’s something I’m missing.”
My grip on the plate tightened. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
“I don’t believe that,” he said simply.
I turned to face him, my chest tightening. “Rowan, just leave it alone.”
He didn’t move, his gaze steady and unrelenting. “I can’t.”
Before I could respond, the sound of tiny footsteps interrupted us. Laura appeared in the doorway, her sleepy eyes wide.
“Handsome Uncle,” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. “Are you going to visit again?”
Rowan crouched down, his expression softening. “Do you want me to?”
She nodded, a small smile spreading across her face. “Yes. But bring cookies next time.”
He laughed quietly, ruffling her hair. “Cookies. Got it.”
I watched the exchange, my heart tugging in a way I didn’t want to acknowledge.
“Alright, back to bed,” I said gently, scooping her up. “Say goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Handsome Uncle,” she said, her voice drowsy.
“Goodnight, Laura,” he replied, his smile lingering as he straightened.
As I carried her away, I couldn’t help but glance back at Row
an. The look on his face was unreadable, but something about it made my chest tighten.
I couldn't help but wonder. Was he…was he remembering?
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