Edie stepped forward, hugging Cecil. She stroked his face gently, wiping away the tears that cascaded down his cheeks. Her jaws tight, she glared at Stuart for a couple of seconds, her unspoken message loud and clear. "Please lower your voice."
Stuart couldn't stand the look on Edie's face, the look he couldn't say no to. He bit his lip. His voice had been too sharp. "I'm sorry!" he softened his tone. "I was only trying to...."
But before he could finish, Stuart was interrupted by Cecil. "You're so good to me," he said as he glared at Stuart.
Stuart frowned with frustration. "But...."
Cecil intentionally cuts Stuart off again. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," he said while grinning at Stuart.
"You're such a sweet little boy," Edie said trying to comfort him;
She put her arms around Cecil, and he buried his face in her chest. "You won't regret letting me stay with you. I'll be good, I promise," Cecil said in a small hopeful voice.
