Elise woke up to sunlight falling on her face and Tom stirring beside her. Getting off the bed she closed the curtains. Riddle Sr. had left just before 10o'clock and she had been too tired to even think. Tom stopped stirring and she decided to get ready. She has some thinking to do. Dressing up she ordered breakfast and tea to be brought up. Lots of tea.

Eating slowly she reviewed the last night's conversation, it was pretty clear that Riddle Sr. would not be barging into their lives any time soon, which suited her just fine. I hope it's at least few months away from now. It's not that I don't want Tom to have an ideal father figure, ideal being the keyword here. Riddle Sr. needs to full understand and accept the facts about Tom to love him like a son – his son until then he was far from being ideal. I will not let my son be subjected to any sort of ill treatment. Glancing at her watch she saw it was around the time when Tom woke up. Whatever was going to happen will happen and she won't let the future ruin her holiday with her son!

"Hold still, will you! Would you rather be naked?" said Elise looking at giggling Tom.

Tom was excited; he wanted to meet the man from last night. The man had such a nice voice, just like his mama; he even did that thing with his eyebrow like mama! And mama seemed to like talking to him, then why was she moving so slowly! He cried out, wanting to hurry up and meet the man.

"What has gotten into you?" said his mama chuckling. He loved her laugh; it made him laugh too. So he giggled.

"Yes laugh at your mama." Said his mama tickling him and he burst into laughter.

Elise laughed with Tom and finally managed to get him ready. He was unusually excited and cooperative today so much that it took her less time to feed and get him ready. Slinging the diaper bag along with hers Elise marched down carrying Tom. They were having a great day but Elise also noticed Tom kept looking around time to time as if searching for someone. The idea made her anxious, it was not possible for babies to just know about their biological parents at only one glance and they only recognised the voice if they heard it everyday. But as the day passed Tom only became more frantic and when it was time to return he simply refused and started sobbing. Elise tried to hush him but to no vial. Sighing, she checked her watch; from what she could remember the students will be returning to hostel after the dinner.

"We are going to meet the nice man." Said Elise decisively. As if they were magical words Tom instantly stopped crying. "But first we are going to wash your face. You want to look presentable, don't you?" asked Elise looking at Tom who enthusiastically nodded. Finally heading towards the hotel she washed Tom's face and put on his scarf, which he refused to part with these days.

"Good evening! Would you send for Tom Riddle, please? He is first year law student, I can't be certain though. I am his cousin, Elise Lane." Said Elise smiling winningly standing at the reception.

"Good evening! I shall send for him, can't be too hard to find!" said the man good-naturedly.

"Thank you!" said Elise smiling.

The man sent a boy to fetch Tom.

"He would be allowed to come with me for a bit, wouldn't he? I shall see to that he returns before the curfew." Asked Elise politely smiling unsurely. The man fell for it and answered affirmatively.

Someone knocked at door and Tom looked up as Chase went to open the door.

"It's for you." Said Chase returning to his desk.

Tom nodded and went to the door. The messenger boy was standing at the door; he informed him that his relative had come to visit him. Tom was puzzled; he didn't even know they had any relatives. Who is it? And why come now, it is late.

Nevertheless, he calmly made his way to the reception. Standing at the reception was Elise Lane holding the child. Raising brow at her Tom walked towards her. The child was looking at him eagerly.

"Hello cousin! It so good to see you so much that I couldn't wait till the morning. I hope I haven't disturb you!" said Elise with an excited voice.

"Not at all, cousin! I didn't know you were coming." Said Tom following Elise's lead.

"I wanted to surprise you!" said Elise cheerfully.

"You can go with your cousin but return before curfew." Said the receptionist interrupting the happy reunion.

Tom simply nodded and walked out with Elise. When they were reasonably away from the hostel Elise spoke.

"I apologise. But Tom here wouldn't stop sobbing, he wanted to see you." She apologised.

"Let's wait till we reach your room." Said Tom as Elise nodded in agreement.

Tom seemed to understand the situation as he didn't fuss much but now and then kept glancing at the man.

The child has been sobbing, he could clearly tell from the puffy red eyes. But why? And so much that Elise had to bring him to meet me.

Tom glanced at the child who met his glance and smiled. He smiled without thinking. What?! Mentally shaking head he decided to not meet the child's eyes again.

Finally they reached the hotel and quickly headed to the room. The moment they stepped into the room Tom reached out for the man. Elise and Tom were momentarily stunned but Tom fussed and Elise looked at Riddle Sr. who looked on having not a clue what to do.

"Riddle?" asked Elise.

"Call me Tom." Said Tom.

"That would be bit confusing seeing as His name is Tom too." Said Elise. "Would you hold him?"

"I don't know how!" said Tom a bit panicked.

"Support him with your dominant hand and place the other on his back." Said Elise.

"I really don't think I should." Said Tom trying to avoid.

"Would you rather hear him cry? He has a rather good pair of lungs." Said Elise. Why me?

"No! But be ready to catch him." Said Tom taking the child form Elise. He had never been near a child let alone hold one but as he lifted his namesake by his underarms almost instinctually Tom knew what to do, he brought his right arm to carry the child and the other to support his back. He looked up at Elise in surprise who smiled at him knowingly.

"Explain." He demanded minding the child in his arms who looked up at him grinning.

Elise simply walked up to window seat and sat down. "Do sit down." She said looking at Riddle Sr. with Tom in his arms. Strangely she didn't felt the usual twinge of possessiveness instead what she felt was akin to . . . . she didn't even had the word to describe the warm sensation coursing though her heart.

Tom stood glaring at her who had the nerve to roll eyes at him. He wanted answer and quick! He has always been in control of his emotions and prided himself in knowing all about his functioning. But at this moment he knew none of what was happening and it was driving him up the wall. It was a simple polite request but it was making him act irrationally. He had never felt this irrational and confused and furious all at once!

"Babies are not feather light contrary to the popular belief. I promise to explain everything. Please, sit down." Said Elise taking sympathy at the poor guy. She knew what he was going though all too well for she had the pleasure of experiencing it for one whole month!

Tom walked towards the window seat and sat down, the child still in his arms. Again instinctually he adjusted the child carefully on his lap to face Elise.

"What you are feeling is called parental instincts. We are all biologically programmed to act in certain way around a child. It becomes instinctual when we bond with one. With me it's the conscious acknowledgement of Tom as my son; with you it's on subconscious level. I was never irrational even when emotionally compromised until my maternal instincts kicked in. What you are experiencing it tip of an iceberg, so don't panic!" said Elise.

She had been transfixed since the moment Riddle Sr. held Tom; it was almost magnetic, she simply couldn't look away. She had been observing Riddle Sr. as he adjusted Tom in his lap; not once did he look up as if he didn't even feel her eyes on him. It made her swallow thickly. She remembered herself being like that few months ago.

Tom blinked at Elise who was observing him keenly. Could Elise be right? No. Now is not the time to think about this! Later.

"Why was he sobbing for me?" He asked.

"I think he likes you. He has been looking around for you all day." Answered Elise.

"He has only met me!" said Tom exasperated.

"He is a baby." Said Elise simply.

"Well, we can't have this going on!" said Tom little harshly.

"I apologise for the inconvenience. I shall see to it won't happen again." Said Elise frostily and reached over to take Tom away from Riddle Sr.

Tom unconsciously tightened his arms around the child. Something inside him didn't want to let go of the child. The child leaned further into him in response as if not wanting to go to his mother either, burying his face in his nightshirt.

Elise stopped midway at the actions of both her son and his father. Tom didn't wanted to come to her and it seemed his father agreed with him. What was going on?

Elise and Tom started into each other's eyes, neither knowing exactly what to do. Meanwhile little Tom slipped to peaceful sleep. Tom broke the eye contact to look down at the sleeping child. Gently cradling the child like a new-born, Tom got up under watchful eyes of the other, walked towards the bed and lay him down as he'd seen the other do it. Looking from the sleeping form of the child Tom turned to Elise.

"I will come tomorrow and we shall discuss this properly. Good night!" said Tom putting on his coat and walked out of the room.

Elise just sat staring at the spot Riddle Sr. was standing not a moment ago putting Tom on the bed, uncomprehendingly.