Sunlight danced across the goldâtrimmed furniture of the luxurious suite, catching in the golden strands of Serafinaâs hair as Beckham patiently combed them. âCome on, I want Pigtails, Grandpa!â
Her voice was as bright as the diamonds on her tiny fingers, âPigtails are so cute! Mommy and Daddy will love them!â
But before Beckham could agree, a small voice cut in, a hint of disapproval lacing in its childish tone.
âNot yet, Sera,â
Soren said, his brow furrowed. âHeâs not our Daddy⦠yet. Calling him that now might make him a bit too full of himself.â
Serafinaâs face fell, her bottom lip trembling. âBut he is! Grandpa said so, he even guaranteed!â
Beckham smiled, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. âExactly what I was thinking.â
Serafine spun towards Soren, her eyes, like dark jewels, locking on his. âLook in the mirror, mister!
Youâre practically Daddyâs twin! If heâs not our Daddy, then who is?â
Soren flushed, avoiding her gaze. âI didnât say he isnât,â he mumbled, âjust⦠maybe letâs hold off on the official announcement, okay?â
Serafinaâs voice softened her tone to barely a whisper. âWhether early or late, heâs still our Daddy, right?â
She spun around, eyes sparkling. âGrandpa! Whyâre you brushing my hair? Sera never knew that Grandpa could do a girlâs hair!â
Beckham sighed softly, gazing at the girlâs reflection in the mirror. A pang of nostalgia tugged at him.
Back then, when Cherise was this young, she was still a mountain girl, running barefoot through the fields. And he, as her father, had given Gwenn every ounce of his love.
Back then, he was in the dark that Gwenn wasnât his biological daughter; he only knew that after Charisa disappeared, Gwenn was the last connection between him and Charisa in this world, an existence he couldnât give up or lose.
Back then, Beckham didnât know Gwenn wasnât his biological daughter. She was like a lifeline after his wife disappeared, the last piece of her he had left.
He poured all his love into Gwenn, raising her into someone independent and fearless. Perhaps this love blinded him.
He was so obsessed with his bong with Gwenn that he convinced himself blood didnât matter, that their bend, stronger than family, would always be enough.
Beckham didnât realize, in cherishing Gwenn, that heâd unintentionally neglected his real daughter. And now, as he gently brushed Seraâs hair, remembering his first mistake, he vowed to make things right.
âBecause, sweetheart, I never brushed your momâs hair when she was little. The old man said.
Seraâs eyes sparkled. âThen why donât you brush hers now?â she chirped. âShe only combs it herself, but sheâd love someone else to do it!â
After saying that, she looked at Soren, wanting his agreement. âRen, am I right?â
Soren grunted, fiddling with the Rubikâs Cube, âDonât even bother asking me. You ladies are too much work. Whatâs there to be happy about getting your hair combed? Just cut it short if you hate it so much!â
Sera stuck out her tongue. âHumph, Silly! Because long hair is pretty, but combing it can be a pain!â
She beamed at Beckham. âMake my hair super shiny, Grandpa! When I see Mom, Iâll tell her how good you are at it! Who knows, sheâll even ask you to do her hair!â
The little one clapped for herself. âI am so smart!â