Imperfect Desires

"Mommy!"

Rowan tugged at Xiu's skirt trying to get her attention. He had been really depressed in the past two days. His mother really grounded him. And she didn't even let him eat any of his favorite food. But the worst part was that she didn't talk to him more than it was necessary to do so. She didn't even play with him these days.

It was only two days but it was way too long for him. He was just a kid after all and a day was way too long for him. Especially when he didn't manage to do what he loved to do. He diidn't even get any kisses from his mommy.

"What is it?" inquired Xiu in a calm voice with no expression on her face.

"Mommy, I'm sorry," said Rowan with his big eyes blinking at her trying to charm her. His father had said that his mother was a sucker for those eyes that resembled his father, he had to use them appropriately.

Xiu raised her brows at him feeling amused at the way he continued to stare at her with his big grey eyes.

"Oh? Then what are you sorry for?" asked Xiu.

"I shouldn't have gotten into a fight," answered Rowan. "And if I did, I shouldn't have hidden behind my sisters. Also, I shouldn't have let them take all the blame for me either."

"Hmmm..." Xiu hummed in response. "Okay, I got it. You can go back to your room now."

"Mommy!" He hugged Xiu's legs as he refused to let her move. "Are you still angry with your little tiger? Don't be. Please! Little tiger wants to cry now." Xiu's lips curved into a smile but he couldn't see it since he was still hugging her legs and continued to say, "I promise I won't be a picky eater. I'll finish all my lunch as well. And I'll also stop bothering you."

As his tear fell, Xiu crouched down before him and wiped his face, "What's there to cry for? How old are you?"

He hugged her neck and snuggled while acting like a baby, "I'm still mommy's little tiger. Just a baby. So, mommy, don't leave your baby. And don't hate baby as well."

"Who said I'm leaving you?" asked Xiu in amusement. "And when did I say I hate you?"

Rowan pulled away a little to look at her face, "Mommy, you won't leave me?"

"Never," she answered. "You're my little tiger. How can I ever leave you?"

"You don't hate me?"

"Do you think a person can hate himself?" she questioned him in return. Rowan shook his small head from side to side. Xiu kissed his forehead saying, "You're a very precious part of me. How can I hate you? I went through trials and tribulations of life to have you. There is no way I can hate you."

Rowan finally smiled through his tears at her. His small teeth were showing at the way he smiled in happiness. He was really happy to know that his mother still loved him.

Xiu knocked on his head, "This small brain of yours really is trying to carry the weight of the whole world. Stop overusing your brain otherwise, you might have to deal with a short circuit."

Rowan puffed up his cheeks like his mother did all the time, "My brain is not small."

"Okay," responded Xiu. "Even my little tiger is not small."

"No, I'm definitely small," said Rowan. "So, you have to carry me."

"You're heavy," said Xiu.

"Mommy!!!" wh?n?d Rowan and in the end, she had to carry his highness to his bed. Really, her family's little ancestor was spoiled in his own way but there was no way around it. She just loved this small man too much. Perhaps, a little less than how much she loved her big man.

It seemed Rowan was really tired as he fell asleep in Xiu's arms and when she put him on his bed, he didn't even move. Xiu's heart softened at the sight. He was so comfortable in her arms that he fell asleep instantly without any fear.

When she went back to her room, she looked at her husband, "What have you been teaching our son?"

"What did I do?" asked Darren feigning ignorance.

"Don't pretend with me," Xiu hit his leg. "It's you who told him to use his eyes on me. Didn't you?"

Darren couldn't hold back his smile as he told her honestly, "He asked how to coax mommy and I just told him the way I coax mommy."

"Oh? So you coax me with your eyes?" retorted Xiu in amusment.

Darren moved over to hold her in his arms as he kissed the corner of her lips saying, "No, I just charm you with my eyes, and then..." As his hands became unruly, Xiu slapped his hands away.

"Save it! We have to go camping tomorrow," reminded Xiu. 𝙛𝚛𝙚ewe𝗯𝓃𝗼ѵ𝚎Ɩ.𝒄ｏ𝐦

"Did you tell Rowan?"

"Wouldn't he be happier if it came as a surprise?"

"That's also true," agreed Darren. "Did you prepare everything?"

"What do you think?"

Darren looked at her, "Well, my Sweets is always prepared." He laid down and asked, "By the way, who is going with us?"

"Li bro, Ah-Si and Nora along with Asteria and Ava," answered Xiu. "Oh, and the last-minute addition is gonna be Jackie."

"Did he say he is coming?" asked Darren. "No, that's not right. He specially asked me for the astronomy convention's ticket which is tomorrow."

Xiu gave him a knowing look, "He'll come. Wanna bet?"

Darren shook his head, "From my experience of watching Didi lose way too many bets with you, I'm definitely not gonna take a chance."

"How boring," commented Xiu.

"Oh, why don't we bring Dylan and Cali as well?"

"I already asked," said Xiu.. "Dylan said he'll tell me tomorrow."