My Four Miraculous Treasures

Ah, the most heavenly of hugs...

Next, Julian and Lilith joined in too, trying to squeeze their way through somehow.

Tristan had come running over, just like the others-however, he only took up position beside Willow, instead of clamoring with the others for her affection.

He too was overjoyed to see his mother come home, and longed to be close to her, to be in her embrace. However, the younger ones needed her even more, so he patiently stood aside, and contented himself with just being near to her.

Willow couldn't help nuzzling their tender little faces. All day long, she'd been missing them terribly, too. Without noticing it, her voice had become much softer than usual, as she inquired, "Did you enjoy kindergarten today?"

Julian's hand shot up so he could be the first to answer: "Yes! It was great!"

"Mommy, I got a flower today! Look!" Full of triumphant delight, Hailey raised her adorable little face to show Willow a sticker of a red flower, pasted onto her forehead.

"That's amazing, Hailey!" Willow told her.

"Mommy, I got one too! Look, look!" Not to be outdone, Lilith pressed up even closer against Willow, pointing at the sticker on her own forehead, while her face was now as red and round as an apple.

Willow stroked her head fondly. "Wow... that's great, Lillith!"

"Mommy, I gave my flower to Cheryl Locke." Julian braced himself for his mother's questions, his handsome face appearing brave and steadfast.

Willow indulged him: "Who's Cheryl Locke?"

"She's a girl in our class!" Julian answered excitedly. "She's really cute! I want to give her all the flowers I get! Can I, Mommy?"

Besides his brother and sisters, he now knew other kids his own age. Apparently, when a guy liked a girl, it was only natural for him to want to give her all the best things.

Julian was a fair-faced and

good-looking boy. Though he was but a child, he had devastatingly gorgeous eyes which couldnoveldrama

hypnotize anyone he looked atel net

Every gesture, every expression he

made was fit to be shown on the silver screen. He was a S heart-achingly attractive little boy, indeed.

Willow was overjoyed to hear that her children had been able to get along with the other kids. She nodded approvingly. "Of course you can! As long as she doesn't seem to mind getting those flowers from you, go right ahead!"

"Yup, she loves it! She even let me stick it on her forehead for her!" It was clear

that Julian was most pleased by his own escapades.

"Well, that's fine, then."

Willow noticed Tristan standing off to the side, watching their affectionate exchanges, but not joining in himself.

He looked faintly unhappy, his

delicate brow bunched together into pronounced furrows. Like his siblings, he longed to be doted upon by his mother too, but he refused to actually engage in such childish

deeply conflicted.

behavior. He appeared to be

Seeing through his dilemma, Willow reached out for him and pulled him close. "Tristan," she cooed lovingly, "Did anything interesting happen at kindergarten today? Won't you tell Mommy about it?"

But Tristan shook his head. "No, Mommy. Kindergarten is so silly."

Taken aback, Willow regarded Tristan's handsome features, cold and austere, cast with a wisdom beyond his years.

The boy didn't just share his face, but his aura as well. They were so identical in character...

Willow was terribly worried about this. If Jasper ever encountered Tristan, it was hard to imagine that he wouldn't immediately become suspicious. If he decided to look into the matter... the secret wouldn't last another day.

It was a distressing thought.

Tristan had definitely inherited his father's cold demeanor! It was wrong... he was only a child! Willow's heart broke at the notion that her son wouldn't even be able to enjoy his own childhood...