A taste of Blossom&Heaven

43- Threads of Belonging

Vivienne

I pull the white turtleneck over my head, smoothing the soft fabric down before tugging at the hem of my dark grey skirt. As I sit on the edge of the bed to zip up my high boots, I try to focus on the rhythmic motion, hoping it'll ground me. But my mind keeps circling back to Kendall's smug smile, her pancakes, and the way she thinks that this is her place.

As the second boot clicks into place, I hear a soft knock at the door. Before I can even respond, Theo pushes it open, his little face peeking around the frame. "Vivi?" he calls out, his voice soft but full of concern.

I glance up at him, surprised to see him holding the waffle I made for breakfast. He's holding it carefully with both hands, like it's something precious. His small brow furrows, and he steps further into the room, his movements hesitant but determined.

"For you, Vivi." His voice is quiet, earnest, as he crosses the space between us. "I don't want you to feel sad."

My heart tightens in my chest, a mix of love and guilt washing over me. I force a smile, trying to swallow down the lump in my throat. "Oh, Theo." I whisper as he comes to stand in front of me, his eyes wide and searching.

He doesn't wait for me to say anything more. Instead, he climbs onto my lap, his small body fitting perfectly against mine as I wrap my arms around him. The waffle is still between us, and he holds it up again, insistently. "I saved it for you before Daddy could eat all of them. You made it."

I blink away the sting of tears, overwhelmed by the simple sweetness of his gesture. He's so pure, so full of love, and it's moments like these that remind me why I'm here, why I love him so much. I brush a hand gently through his tousled hair, and he leans into my touch, nuzzling closer to me.

"Thank you, honey," I say softly, kissing the top of his head. "You always know how to make me feel better."

He grins up at me, his eyes brightening at the praise, and for a moment, the tension from earlier fades into the background. All that matters is this. Theo's warmth, his trust, and the quiet bond we've built over time.

"Can we eat it together?" he asks, his voice hopeful.

I chuckle softly, wiping away the last remnants of my earlier frustration. "Of course, we can." I say, taking a small bite of the waffle and pretending it's the best thing I've ever tasted. Theo giggles, clearly pleased with himself, and then takes a big bite too, his eyes twinkling as he chews.

Theo finishes the last bite of the waffle as we head back toward the kitchen together. His small hand is warm in mine, and I feel a sense of calm settle over me. But when we get closer to the kitchen, I overhear Kendall's voice, sharp but low.

"Honestly, Harry, she overreacts. Are we really going to fight over that?"

I freeze for a second, and Theo tugs on my hand, unaware. Then, I hear Harry's response, his tone firm but measured. "No, she doesn't, Kendall. You don't get to come in here and treat her like that. She is my partner, and I want you to treat her with respect. Especially when you come unannounced. That has to stop."

I feel a warmth spread through me at his words, but there's no time to dwell on it. As we step into the kitchen, I clear my throat, making sure they stop talking before Theo picks up on the tension. Harry glances at me, looking relieved, but Kendall's face quickly shifts from irritation to that too-sweet smile she always puts on around Theo.

"How about I take Theo to the playground?" Kendall says, her voice almost too chirpy as she turns to him. Theo stays quiet, glancing up at Harry.

Before Harry can respond, he smooths his hand through his hair with a sigh, and I can see the frustration in his eyes as he tries to find the right words. "We already have plans today, Kendall," he finally says. "I told you we're going to the cinema."