We already Know

Aria

My eyes locked on Jasper's face as emotions flew across his face. I could identify joy, love, fear, and confusingly enough anger. I stepped forward, blocking Eli from his sight, turning my back to Jasper. I smiled down at my sweet boy.

“Hey baby, did you have fun?”

His brow furrowed in confusion, “Mommy, who that?” he asked, peering around me to the men in the room.

“Who are they?” I corrected gently as I unbuttoned his coat.

He nodded as he allowed me to pull his coat off. His eyes never leave the guys behind me.

“They smell like me” His little voice says loudly.

I sat in front of him and held his hands. I indicated Asher first, “This is mommies brother, Asher.”

Asher stepped forward and waved. I looked over at him, I could see the longing in his eyes to give a hug but was respecting boundaries. It gave me hope that this could work, I clung to that hope.

I indicated the two men with Asher, “These are Uncle Asher's friends, Linc and Jasper.” I watched Jaspers face fall