"Aunty Isla, how long are you uh...going to be like this? I am not going anywhere," Asher cleared his throat as he stiffly sat and asked.
Isla clung to Asher's arm, her ear pressed against his chest, listening intently to the reassuring rhythm of his heartbeat, "Not until I make sure I am not dreaming. I have to keep listening to your heartbeat for a little longer to know that my charming little prince is truly back," she murmured, her lips pursed with a mixture of relief and maternal fervor.
"Mom! Stop that. You can't keep hogging my man like that," Amelia protested, her cheeks puffed in mock annoyance as she attempted to pry her mother away from Asher.
