“I was building a nice sturdy house,” Willow said sadly. “And then it fell over.”
For some reason, this made Henry start chuckling again.
“Why don’t you give it another try,” Jensen suggested, settling himself in his favorite chair to watch.
“That’s a good idea,” she agreed. “I knowthishouse won’t fall over.”
Henry squealed with delight as he watched her stack up blocks.
When she had a nice tower built, she suddenly looked over at the fireplace.
“Is that Santa?” she asked. “Did I hear Saint Nicholas coming down the chimney?”
While she was turned away, Henry gleefully knocked over the tower.
“Oh, no,”he said when he was finished, then crammed his fists to his mouth as if maybe she wouldn’t notice that he was giggling that way.
Jensen was amazed and happy to see his boy talking, even if it was only a few words.
“What is it?” Willow asked, turning slowly.“Oh, noooooo. My house.It fell overagain.”
Henry melted in giggles, sagging against her in a cozy way that tugged at Jensen’s heartstrings. But that kind of behavior usually meant he was getting sleepy again. It was probably best to get some supper into him before bedtime.
“Something smells good in this house,” Jensen said, pretending to sniff the air. “It makes me hungry as a bear.”
He roared a little, gently, so Henry wouldn’t be scared.
But Henry was laughing helplessly again. He was definitely getting sleepy. They’d be lucky if he didn’t nod off at the table.
“Me too,” Willow decided. “What about you, Henry?”
He nodded his little head, gazing up at her with stars in his eyes.
Yeah, buddy, we’re both lovestruck, aren’t we?
They headed into the kitchen together, and he ladled out soup for everyone. Willow kept Henry on her lap through dinner, and Jensen saw no reason to intervene. They were both enjoying their meal, and if Henry didn’t feel well, it was good for him to be comfortable in her arms.
The meal was peaceful, and they drifted back out to the living room afterward. Henry didn’t make a sound of complaint when Jensen told him they should head up to bed.
Jensen took his time with his son, giving him a warm bath, finding a fresh pair of fuzzy pajamas for him, and then holding him in his arms and singing to him until he was just about asleep before finally lowering him into his crib.
As he straightened up, he realized Willow was standing in the doorway watching him.
The last few weeks, he’d noticed over and over again how capable she was and what an incredible woman she had grown into.
Maybe it was the warm glow of Henry’s nightlight softening her features, or the expression in her eyes that he now recognized as longing, but in that moment, Willow suddenly seemed so young again.
It made him feel guilty to notice her beauty. And that had nothing to do with her long soft hair and womanly figure, and everything to do with the look in her eyes and the goodness he knew was in her heart, a goodness that seemed to radiate from her, making people smile and feel comfortable wherever she went.
Her eyes widened slightly, as if she realized he’d caught her looking.
“Hey,” he said softly, hoping to stop her from hurrying away.
“Hi,” she whispered back.
He remembered Henry and moved toward thehallway so they wouldn’t disturb him, praying that she wouldn’t run downstairs and break the spell.
But she only backed up to give him space, her big blue eyes watching him as he closed the door.
