"Take care of her for me, will you?"
***
"You know that I love you, right?" A frail-looking woman, young in age but feeling older than she had ever lived, asked a little boy with impossible black hair and eyes shining with childhood innocence.
"Of c-course, mum. You say that every day!" The boy, barely three years old answered his mother's question with a big grin. Even the stumble in his words was enough to bring a soft smile on the mother's face.
"I say that every day because I don't want you to ever forget that, Jamie." The women - Alicia Porter - said, feeling a deep ache in her heart.
James young face crinkled in a pout, "Mum, call me James! I - I am a big boy now!" He exclaimed, puffing out his chest and trying to make an intimidating face. This caused the mother to let out a soft chuckle.
"Yes, yes. You are my sweet little man. Only you." Alicia's eyes seemed to light up with mirth. Meanwhile, James Porter was supporting a proud smile. "T-that's why daddy t-told me to take go-od care of you, m-mum." Young Jamie said, blinking up at his mother innocently.
His mother who wasn't smiling anymore. "M-mum?" James voice shrunk, uncertainty and worry prominent on his young features. With a jerk, Alicia snapped out of her endless thought and smiled tiredly at her son, "Nothing to worry about, hun." She said soothingly.
James nodded.
***
"You m-miss daddy."
It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
Tears spilled down her hollowed cheeks.
"Yes, I do."
ns 15.158.61.8da2
