?Chapter 3153:


    “What is it, sweetie?” Elissa studied Locke’s face, worry creeping in. She couldn’t figure out what had bothered him.


    Ethan was easy—the nanny and nurse handled everything. He was just a newborn, after all. Eating, sleeping, that was it. But Locke was different. Locke was older, more aware.


    Elissa had no idea how to talk to a kid his age, how to act like a real mother. The nervousness twisting in her stomach made perfect sense now.


    “Mommy.” Locke’s brow furrowed as he pointed toward the bass, his voice dropping to a whisper. “He’s… kind of ugly.”


    ??????rе ??оur ??????u??h???? ???? gа??????????????.??o??


    Elissa wentpletely still. Then, keeping her voice just as low, she admitted, “Yeah… he’s really not that cute yet.”


    Compared to Locke at that age, Ethan looked pretty rough around the edges.


    Ernest didn’t know whether tough or groan. He settled for shaking his head and sighing quietly.


    “Ethan’s brand new,” he said, keeping his tone gentle. “Give him some time. He’ll grow into his features.”


    “Really?” Skepticism dripped from Locke’s voice.


    Elissa looked just as unconvinced, her wide eyes blinking up at Ernest with obvious doubt.


    They wore matching expressions of disbelief—mother and son, mirror images.


    “Yeah, really.” Ernest nodded firmly. “Trust me. Just wait a few months.”


    “Okay!” Locke epted this immediately—he never questioned what Ernest told him.


    He turned back toward the bass, his voice turning sweet and encouraging. “Ethan, you’d better hurry up and get bigger. Then we can y together.”


    Locke had been secretly hoping for a baby sister, but a brother was good too. They had the same parents, the same home.


    Nobody in the world would ever be closer than that.


    Locke rubbed at his eyes, a huge yawn splitting his face.


    “Getting sleepy?”


    Locke nodded and let his weight sag against Ernest’s shoulder. He’d tossed and turned allst night, too wound up about his mommying home with the new baby.


    Then he’d woken up at dawn. Adrenaline and excitement carried him through the morning.


    But now that he’d finally seen his mommy and brother, exhaustion was catching up fast. His eyelids kept trying to close.


    “Mommy.” Already half-asleep, Locke stretched his small arms toward Elissa.


    “Come here, baby.” Elissa reached for him immediately.


    Ernest hesitated. “I can take him if you—”


    “No, it’s fine.” Elissa shook her head quickly. “I’ve got him.”


    How could she possibly say no when her little boy reached for her like that?


    “Alright.” Ernest transferred Locke’s weight carefully. “Let’s get him to bed for a nap.”


    They were all exhausted—everyone could use some sleep.


    “No,” Locke mumbled, fighting sleep as he shook his head. “I wanna stay with Mommy.” His arms locked around Elissa’s neck like a vice.


    Ernest’s and Elissa’s eyes met over Locke’s head. He was still terrified she’d disappear again.


    .


    .


    .