Alina's POV
Leo smiled up at me as I cradled him in my arms. His first tooth had finally broken through, a tiny white pearl against his pink gums, and my heart swelled so full I thought it might burst. My baby was growing. The last faint scars on his soft skin had faded away completely, leaving him perfect, whole. He reached out with chubby fingers, tangled them in my hair, and gave a playful tug, pulling my face closer to his.
"Ouch, you're hurting Mama," I whispered, laughing softly.
His grin widened, bright and mischievous, and he slowly loosened his grip, patting my cheek as if to say sorry. Just then, the maid arrived with his bottle. I took it from her, settled into the rocking chair, and watched his eyelids grow heavy as he drank. When he finally drifted off, I gently laid him back in his cradle, brushing a kiss across his forehead.
"Stay with my son," I told the maid, voice low. "Never leave his side."
