It was a little over 7o'clock when Tom reached hostel, going straight to his room he found Chase still doing his work. Shrugging off the coat he too resumed his work. Chase was a perfect roommate, minded his own, was smart enough to have an intelligent conversation with and patient, which Tom knew he needed to survive him. As always Tom opened his journal and started writing, he had been writing a lot lately, ever since his path crossed with Elise Lane's and of course, the child.

Months ago he was an evil spawn forgotten in time but Tom was about clear as mud on the matter now. He knew the child would be part of his life. But to love him was impossible, Tom knew; maybe like him enough to tolerate. The child would always be the remainder, something Tom did not want or need and though it was cruel even childish of him to hold it against something the child had no control over but Tom wanted a fresh start and the child would always be the doorway to the past.

But his actions and feelings towards the child earlier clearly indicated that he didn't associate the child with anything. He was not a gateway to the past and most definitely not the child of that tramp. The child was his and Elise's; part of his future with Elise and it seemed the invoker of his parental instincts. Tom laughed at that thought. In less than an hour I got acquainted with my parental instincts, which seems are often than not irrational and all it took was to hold my son. The word 'son' seemed so strange; it alone invoked the feelings that he had experienced earlier.

Today I met my son Tom Marvolo Riddle. He is ten months old, adorable as his mother claimed and stubborn as his old man. I certainly hope his mother is resilient enough for the two of us!

Closing the journal, Tom for the first time fell asleep peacefully since meeting Elise.

Elise woke up to Tom shifting and quickly got up to change his diaper and give him a bath. She sang as Tom drifted back to sleep and put him in the bed laying down herself. The next morning as they came down for breakfast, the owner handed her a letter. On it written elegantly was her name. Surprised she made her way to a secluded corner and sat down. Tom sat playing as Elise opened the letter.

I shall come at 7o'clock to your room.

Elise at once knew whom it was from. The letter didn't tell much and it made her anxious yet calm. On this conversation hung the future. It would decide whether Tom will have a father or not but she knew enough to bet he would. Last night's events made it plenty clear – Tom Riddle Sr. was here to stay. The question was how?

Oddly excited she started to feed mashed potatoes to Tom as she waited for her breakfast to come. Tom seemed to sense her enthusiasm and got excited too, which lasted all day long as they toured. Freshening up they sat in their room playing together when precisely at seven they heard knocking. Elise cleared her mind, pulled on a calm expression and got up to open the door. Standing on the other side was Tom with the similar calm expression who greeted her and they stepped in. Little Tom who had been watching gave a squeal and started crawling towards Tom who looked at him in wonder and surprise. He picked up the child and smiled at him.

"We should probably give him another name." Said Tom still looking at the child smiling who was smiling back.

"Agreed. You should name him though." Said Elise looking just as transfixed as last night at the sight before her.

"We should name him together. After all we are his parents." Said Tom looking at Elise to gauge her reaction.

Elise stilled, trying to hide her surprise though she knew she was failing spectacularly. He has decided to be Tom's father! Tom looked amused, that smug bastard! Hitting him lightly on biceps she huffed playfully. Tom broke into a grin and chuckled.

"Make yourself comfortable." Said Elise smiling brightly.

Walking towards the bed Tom put the child down and settled on one side of the bed. Elise followed his lead and sat opposite to him, Little Tom in between them. We really need to name him!

"Seeing as I barely know him, why don't you suggest one?" said Tom looking at Elise.

"Edmund would be perfect. Rhymes with adamant, a very prominent quality of his!" said Elise grinning.

"You do know you are insulting me all the same." Said Tom frowning sadly.

"How will you ever survive that?! So what do you suggest?" asked Elise smirking playfully.

"Actually Edmund is a good name, it suits him I suppose." Said Tom looking at the child who was watching them.

"When did he start crawling?" asked Tom looking at Elise.

"When he turned seven months in July. Has been a terror ever since!" said Elise looking at Tom fondly.

"I've never been near a child least of all a baby! As such have no knowledge whatsoever about babies. But I am willing to learn and be a father to Edmund." Said Tom looking straight into Elise's eyes who smiled.

"Yes, Edmund is a good name." Replied Elise.

Tom smiled at her and Elise looked at the newly named Edmund.

"Meet your papa, Edmund." She said nodding towards Tom. Edmund looked at her then to Tom who smiled at him.

Tom heard his mama call him Edmund and he looked at her. His mama smiled at him and then he looked at the nice man who smiled at him. His mama said the man was his papa, like the one in the stories his mama and Granma read. He slowly crawled towards the man who picked him up and sat him on his lap.

"I am your papa Edmund and I shall never ever leave you." Said Tom softly looking into his child's innocent eyes which where looking at him in interest and hope. At the last word his son buried his face in his chest. Tom hugged and kissed him on head breathing into Edmund's soft hair.

Elise just sat starring at the father and son, mesmerised. Suddenly she felt her eyes tear and she blinked the tear away. Tom looking up and smiled at her, which she returned.

"Thank you! If not for you I wouldn't have everything I have today." Said Tom sincerely.

"Mention not!" said Elise chuckling a bit. "Though you won't be so grateful when babysitting this little terror and changing his nappies!" Elise smirked.

"Nappies, I don't know but I have a feeling he won't give his papa trouble at all! You won't, would you scamp?" said Tom looking at Edmund who smiled in response. "See, no problem at all!" Tom smirked.

Elise rolled her eyes and raised her brow. "Not a comment about changing nappy?" she asked.

"There is one thing you should know about me for sure, I am not like my brethren's. I know it takes two to raise a child hence the plural – parents, at least that's what I thought?!" Said Tom frowning a bit; Elise just laughed.

While his parents were bonding little Edmund was busy with his own mission – to touch his papa's rouge curly lock of hair that always strayed to his forehead. Edmund started standing up on his papa's lap, his little fists clutching the shirt. Tom startled, looked down at his son who seemed to be trying hard to stand up, he heard Elise chuckle.

"Let me help you there, Edmund." Said Tom hoisting him up and supported him as Edmund looked directly into his eyes and gave him a gummy grin. Tom chuckled as Edmund proceed to touch his face but winched when he pulled his curly lock. At this Elise burst into laughing!

"You seem very amused." Said Tom trying to loose Edmund's grip on his hair who whined in protest.

"He seems to have taken a liking to your lock." Said Elise hardly containing her laugh. "I was starting to think I was the only lucky one!"

"Glad to keep you company." Said Tom sarcastically.

"Oh don't worry! He will grow tied of it, eventually!" said Elise again laughing.

"And when will that be?" asked Tom finally getting Edmund to leave his hair.

"About a month or two." Answered Elise smiling sweetly.

Tom stared at her, trying to see if she was joking.

"He is very fascinated with black hair. Since he can't see his . . ." said Elise trailing away looking at Tom who groaned in answer. "Come to mama, Edmund. You had your share of mischief for today."

Edmund whined in protest and glared at her. Tom looked amused at his son's antics. He looks adorable when he glares! Tom looked at Elise as she started to speak.

"Of course not! I will tell you papa absolutely nothing about your mischiefs."

Edmund seemed appeased because he came crawling towards her. Elise picked him up, hugged and kissed his head. Tom raised a brow at that statement to which she smiled mischievously over Edmund's shoulder.

"Edmund why do you go play with your puzzle?" said Elise. When Edmund nodded she put him down on the floor and Edmund crawled to his jigsaw puzzle.

"Isn't he a bit younger for jigsaw?" asked Tom looking at Edmund.

"They are easy enough. Only four pieces." Answered Elise. "He is too intelligent to play with soft toys!"

"I assumed him to be." Said Tom fishing for more.

"He is very observant, curious and understands what is being said, most of it at least. I read to him some short stories, some in French and Greek mythology. He listens very keenly and recognises fruits and body parts." Answered Elise.

"That's very impressive for a ten months old, I suppose. And Greek mythology?" asked Tom raising a brow.

"Yes it is. Not a bit surprising. I did say he takes after you. And everyone likes Greek mythology!" Said Elise playfully huffing.

Tom smiled. "You said in letter to father that you have a job. What do you do?" he asked.

"I work at Penguin Publications as a secretary to the Editor in chief." Answered Elise.

Tom nodded. "So how many more days would you be staying here?"

"Three more days. I'll be catching train on Friday evening." Replied Elise.

"I will only be able to visit on weekends." Said Tom.

"You are in college, it's perfectly understandable for you to not visit often. Holidays are much better alternative. If possible could you come to his birthday?" said Elise.

"His birthday is on 31st December, is it not? I will come to celebrate his birthday and New Year with you both." Said Tom.

"You remember?" asked Elise stunned.

"Yes, of course." Answered Tom simply.

"This will create problems for you." Said Elise changing the subject.

"I'll tell my parents about you both after my graduation. The rest, they can't know. I am sure we agree." Said Tom

"Of course. Just be careful." Said Elise.

"Of course." said Tom. "What about your family?" he asked.

"My parents are dead and my brother is in army. I have no one and know nothing about my relatives!" answered Elise chuckling a bit.

"Funny how I was thinking exactly the same the moment I heard my cousin had come to see me, though I doubt we have any either." Said Tom chuckling too. He didn't want her to be upset.

"I came to London when my brother joined army. Owing to the fortunate turn of events I met the most generous couple who love me like their own. Mr O'Donnell offered me to be his secretary and Mrs O'Donnell looks after Edmund when I am at work. They are his grandparents and my new family." Said Elise smiling.

"I hope they like me, assuming you would tell them." Said Tom with a raised brow.

"Yes, I will tell them. And I also know who will tell your parents." Said Elise.

"Mrs Penham would hardly be a problem. She had never met any of us!" said Tom with a smirk.

"And yet you seem well aware of her wiggling tongue." said Elise raising a brow.

"Our asset manager is an unfortunate victim of her verbal slaughter every month." Said Tom smoothly.

"Of course. My sincere condolences!" said Elise.

"I am sure he'll appreciate it." Said Tom.

So he won't be a bother then, thought Elise. "Any other acquaintances of yours in London we should be wary of?"

"None. I have to go now, see you tomorrow." Said Tom getting up to pick Edmund.

"Good night, Edmund. I will come tomorrow unit then be good to your mama." Tom kissed on his head and handed him to Elise. Edmund of course started protesting but Elise calmed him as Tom pulled on his jacket. Tom strode towards them and kissed Edmund again. Elise froze at the close contact but maintained the calm expression. She sighed when Tom closed the door. It will be hard get use to that!