Tom looked around as he made his way to Bed & Breakfast, absently cataloguing everything he observed in his brain. Today was Wednesday, roughly a day till Elise and Edmund left for London. He finally had everything he ever wanted and didn't want to let go so soon. Sighing he entered the hotel, nodded to the owner, climbed up to Elise's room. Elise got up at the knocking and opened the door letting Tom in, who had eyes only for his son. As the day before Edmund came crawling to Tom who picked him up and grinned getting a gummy grin in return. Kissing his son's head, Tom sat down to play with him. Elise stood looking at the father and son duo playing on the floor. Edmund was showing off the toys to Tom who was listening keenly to his son's blabber.

Only a day before he was undecided on being father to Edmund and now he has eyes only for his son.

"Hello to you too!" said Elise.

Tom looked up with an embarrassed smile and went back to playing with Edmund.Shaking her head fondly Elise made her way to bed and sat down opening the family album and started arranging the new photos. It had become plenty clear to her that she was not needed.

Tom glanced up to see Elise with an album.

"Is that an album?" asked Tom.

"Yes. Want to see it?" asked Elise looking up.

"Yes."

Tom got up picking Edmund and made his way to sit beside Elise who sat leaning on the headboard. Carefully climbing on the bed he sat Edmund on his lap and observed the album in interest.

"I bought it a week after bringing Edmund home." Said Elise turning to first page.

Tom noted she didn't say adopted. Interesting.

"This is Edmund a week after his birth." Said Elise pointing to a photo.

Tom looked at the picture, mystified. "I had known for a fact that new-borns were small but never imagined them to be this tiny." Said Tom in mystified voice.

"I know the feeling." Said Elise smiling slightly. All the baby books and ultrasound had not prepared her for holding little Mia. She was so tiny and fragile that Elise was scared even to touch her.

"You were right, he is adorable." Said Tom observing the photos. Edmund was adorable just like Elise had claimed. And he looked absolutely endearing sleeping with a tiny teddy tucked in one arm.

"It's hard to tell as new-borns are yet to develop any distinguishing features." Said Elise trying to be modest.

"Still doesn't change the fact though." Said Tom grinning cheekily.

"We maybe are being biased." Said Elise trying hard not to grin.

Tom raised a brow at her and grin split open on her face. Edmund meanwhile peered at the photos from his papa's lap and pointed at one.

"That's you, Edmund." Said Elise smiling, she hadn't shown the album to him. Edmund looked at her and back at the photo in disbelieve. Edmund was mystified not believing it was he.

"That's Amelia and Patrick O'Donnell." Said Elise turning the pages. Edmund squealed in delight at the familiar faces and pointed at his Grandparents.

Elise smiled at Edmund while Tom observed his son's attics with faint smile. They look like good people who love Edmund dearly. The way they handle him points that they are childless and never been near one either. He looked at the photos with interest.

"That's Edmund in his numerous ridiculous onesies. I had hard time not twitching at their sight." Said Elise turning pages.

Tom observed the photos and mentally agreed with her – they were childish. He looked at her with an eyebrow raised, silently asking her to tell the story.

"It so happened that I had not bought any baby products and the morning after his birth when I brought him downstairs to introduce him to very eager Amelia and Patrick, Edmund looked like he would cry any moment . . . ." Began Elise with a long sigh.

Tom was chortling when she finished. He would always remember her indignant exclamation "No child of mine will ever be dressed so indignantly!"

"These are the once I exchanged for the more ridiculous ones Amelia had bought." Said Elise turning pages to show Edmund in some plain, dignified onesies. "I more than ever wish we had colour photos. This one here is royal blue, this one emerald green, this one black and as you can tell this one is white with numbers on it. I had to sneak in the morning with them so as to not offend Amelia, not till I had a good excuse that is, which thankfully came to me. Boy was she upset!"

"He seems to sleep a lot!" said Tom chuckling at her sneaky adventure. In the pictures seen so far Edmund was asleep in all of them.

"As any new-born should and does! That's all they do till four months." Replied Elise amused at Tom's cluelessness.

"Oh."

Elise smiled and turned the pages. Tom looked at the photos of Elise rocking little Edmund to sleep in her arms, bewitched.

She was enchanting. Dressed in loose white nightgown, her soft hair tied in low side bun, a stray strand falling on her face, Elise was smiling faintly down at the sleeping baby. She looked like an epitome of motherhood. And the soft light only amplified the whole effect. Tom could already imagine her being pregnant. Motherhood suited her.

Tom came back from his revere when Elise started to talk.

"Amelia clicked them. She used to listen to me singing lullaby, said my voice had a enchanting quality to it and so did my lullabies." Said Elise.

"Wish I could stay to ready him for bed and listen to you sing him to sleep." Said Tom looking straight into her eyes.

"I assure you, you'd be regretting it by end of the night!" said Elise smiling.

Tom just smiled slightly at her and turned back to the album as Elise turned the pages.

Edmund looked at his mama and papa with scrunched up face, glaring. They were ignoring him. How dare they! He cried out when they didn't even spare him a glance. His glare always got him whatever he wanted!

Elise and Tom looked down at Edmund who was cutting a cute picture. Elise had clicked so many pictures of Edmund with that exact same look. It was her favourite so much that it made her want to get him cross just to see him do it!

Elise chuckled and said in mock seriousness, "Now now Edmund! Mama and papa are not ignoring you. See, we are looking at your pictures!"

Edmund scowled (as a baby can, if they do!?) and glared at the vile pictures. They were snatching away all his mama and papa's attention from him.

Tom, who was observing his son's attics burst into laughter and Elise joined him with a chuckle. It was a hilarious sight, Edmund jealous of his own pictures! Edmund gave an indignant cry at them. They stopped laughing and Tom kissed Edmund on head breathing into his soft hair, to pacify him. Elise too leaned and gave Edmund a kiss on his cheek. Tit for tat! Tom sucked in at the proximity; somehow knowing Elise had done it on purpose.

"He is attention seeker. I don't know whom he gets that from!" said Elise looking innocently at Tom.

Tom's suspicion was confirmed, she had a smug look about her. It was fair though; after all he had done the same on purpose too. But only two can play the game!

"Yes, a trait of mine. We Riddles get irked when not paid attention to, especially by someone special to us." Said Tom almost huskily, staring right into her eyes.

Tom mentally smirked smugly at Elise's reaction. Her eyes widened by a fraction in comprehension and she looked down to cover her reaction. Good, very good. But you can't hide anything from me! Elise, it seemed, was good at controlling her emotions and facial expressions, better even than their phlegmatic nature.

He knew the affect he had on woman population. The mere sight of him made them swoon, one glance in their direction made them feel faint with giddiness. He had never ever tried to flirt with one of course, can't have them skip a beat too many and die!

Tom felt intrigued by this new development; he hadn't ever tried to fantasise about his obsession because the very thought of being obsessed with a woman whom he hadn't even seen in flesh was strange to him – he who never ever acknowledged a woman's existence beyond deciphering her. The thought alone overwhelmed him. But amidst all this he knew that she was someone tantalising, if her mere letter could ensnarl him so it was only palpable.

"These are the photos of the flat I took when I finally moved in." Said Elise looking at the opened pages.

Tom shifted his attention to the photos and was bewildered by the amazing photo shots of the flat. The décor itself was elegant and exquisite.

"You seem to be a woman of many talents, Elise Lane." Said Tom studying the pictures.

"And I look forward to discover them all." Said Tom looking up at Elise.

Elise simply smiled in reply and turned page.

"So why did you moved after a month? Do tell." Asked Tom.

"How did you know?" asked Elise not particularly surprised.

"I didn't know, I observed." Said Tom simply.

Elise mentally gasped at the statement. It was exact same dialogue from Sherlock said in exact same manner.

"And prey, tell what did you observe?" asked Elise.

"You rented the flat on January 2nd for that was when father got a call from Mrs Penham and a day later your letters. The pictures clearly are taken in February from the snow on the windows and position of the sun in the morning. And you clearly indicated that you didn't move in the very month you rented. So why didn't you?" said Tom completing with a curious tone though surprised at her lack of reaction to his remark and observations.

"Well, . . . ." began Elise narrating the warm welcome she received at arriving to London to her meeting Mr O'Donnell and getting a job offer from him.

"Amelia is evil that way. I swear she had smirked at my back and the other time I did see her smirking at me!" said Elise. "Persuasive, manipulative old people!"

Tom was amazed by her story and her sarcastic narration, chortled at which she huffed and fringed hurt.

"I must say you have some hilarious stories. You alone put telly to shame!" said Tom chuckling.

"Why, Amelia completely agrees with you. She stopped watching telly after I joined the job." Said Elise dryly before smiling faintly. Tom snickered and raised a brow.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" said Elise with a smirk.

Tom so desperately wanted to hear the stories, he was loving her sarcastic narration and queer way of describing things. He was starting to suspect her to be just like him but to what extent, he knew not. But Tom Riddle never begged nor will he start now so he gave her a stink eye. And the woman had the nerve to grin like a Cheshire cat.

Feeling pleased with herself, Elise turned the pages. The day was getting better and better!

"Edmund was two months old when we had moved to our home. He had a great time looking at the monthly addition of furniture. I for one had even great time witnessing his reactions." Said Elise turning pages, randomly pointing to the changes to the flat. Edmund pacified, was too looking at the photos and pointing at the familiar pictures while listening to his mama and looking at his papa.

"You play violin?" asked Tom noticing sheet stand near the French windows. How did I miss that?!

"Yes. That's how I managed to survive the nights when Edmund turned four months." Answered Elise.

Tom nodded. So Elise plays violin, is an avid reader thus enjoys her job at the publication, has elegant sense of style, is near and tidy, likes to cook by state of the kitchen, is a very private person – only one picture of bedroom. All in all Elise Lane is a very individualistic person. A rare mixture of beauty with brain! And very good at concealing. What is your mystery, Elise Lane?

"These are the photos of Edmund in his third month, not much was there to click. He spent most of the day at his Grandparents." Said Elise turning pages.

Tom saw Patrick O'Donnell rocking Edmund, sometimes feeding him and telling stories to the sleepy Edmund.

"You only work for roughly half a day, surely you have rest of the day to be with Edmund?" asked Tom frowning a bit.

"Yes, that is my working hours at the publication but I took an additional job at local book store. Edmund had just turned two months and didn't need much supervision. Also I was bored out off my mind and extra money didn't hurt!" replied Elise.

"So you work all day?" asked Tom. Elise's logic was sound but it left a bad taste in the mouth.

"Worked, I quit before coming here. I had initially planned to work till Edmund turned four months but then realised that either way I wouldn't be spending much time with him. You see it was time for his dinner and then nap when I returned from work and later I would be too tired to play with him. I didn't want him to feel neglected, with O'Donnell's he would be attended to and taken care of, so I kept the job. Though I did end up neglecting him!" said Elise with a sad sigh looking at Edmund.

"Oi! Elise, look at me, you are a great mother, even I can tell – I who don't even know the first thing about parenting. Edmund loves you. What you did was right; you were looking after his livelihood. So don't berate yourself for nothing." said Tom softly, trying to pacify her. Damn it! Why do I have to ruin everything! She obviously caught my shock and disappointment with her actions, misplaced as they were!

"I only ever got proper time to be with Edmund at weekends. I had made plans for this vacation from the day he turned four months. Staying away from him ate me away too and the weekend are always spent with the O'Donnell's, I was hardly ever alone with him." Said Elise meekly.

Edmund was alarmed by his mama's sad face. Was she upset with him? Edmund got out of his papa's lap into his mama's and raised his hand to touch her face. His mama had never been sad; he didn't like her sad face. He whined at her to say he was sorry.

Elise hugged Edmund and kissed his head. Smiling she said, "You did nothing wrong, Edmund. Mama is not upset with you, just upset that I didn't spend much time with you. Will you forgive mama?"

Edmund's eyes widened as he looked at his mama. Silly mama! He loved her, why would she be upset for nothing. He buried his head into her, trying to tell her that he was not upset. He finally looked up when his mama chuckled and gave her a gummy grin.

"I apologise for getting emotional and ruining the day." Said Elise not meeting Tom's eyes.

"It is I who should be apologising, I upset you by insinuating that you were not giving our son due attention. Forgive me." Said Tom solemnly.

Elise felt something when he said our son, trying to defuse the tense atmosphere she said, "You really need to up your game, Mr Riddle. Apologising for nothing won't get you anywhere!"

"Duly noted!" Said Tom smiling, "Though many would agree to disagree with you on that!"

Elise rolled her eyes and turned pages muttering "Conceit ass!"

"Why thank you!" said Tom cheekily. Elise rolled her eyes again in answer.

"These are his photos in fourth month. As you can see he was curious little thing. Amelia sent me most of the pictures."

Edmund was seen looking around, trying to hold up his head. He was more awake and looking curiously at the camera.

"Yes. Curious indeed."

Edmund pointed at the photos, smiling fondly at his solved mysteries. He blabbered enthusiastically trying to tell his papa about his findings. Tom raised a brow at his son's renewed spirit and smiled at him, listening.

"These are our weekends at O'Donnell's." said Elise turning pages. "We spent most of them at home, I didn't wanted Edmund to catch anything. His first outing was when he turned seven months."

"And he never got bored? Or restless." asked Tom, surprised.

"If there is one thing Edmund taught me is miracles don't happen!" said Elise looking at Edmund sitting between them on bed who gave her a gummy grin, as if proud of his accomplishment.

"One day Amelia rushed into my office carrying the six months old Edmund who clearly had been sobbing. She thrust him into my arms and began ranting. All this happened in blink of an eye that all I did was hold Edmund uncomprehendingly and look at the visibly hysterical Amelia, trying to make sense of the situation." Said Elise. "All the employees were looking at my door."

Tom raised a brow and asked, "He sobs often?"

"On the contrary! Edmund has sobbed three times until now; first time during vaccination, second time being that day. He had been rather clingy all morning, wouldn't go to Amelia. It took me good five minutes to pacify him and make him go to Amelia. Amelia then told me that he was grouchy and angry from the moment I left, started to sob, it got to the point that she decided to bring Edmund to me." Answered Elise.

"When I finally understood this I tried to pacify Edmund but all my redemption was in vain, Edmund was furious, won't let me even hug him. After a good ten minutes of apologising he finally tell me hug him. Quite temperamental!"

Tom chortled at her and winked at Edmund. "That's my son!" he said picking Edmund up.

"God help me!" said Elise looking skywards. Tom smirked cockily while Edmund gave her gummy grin.

"Anyway, after playing with him for a good half an hour I decided to put my fellow employees out of their misery and introduced them to Edmund. The attention sponge that he is basked in their attention and cooing. Not even sugar high made him that hyper! Had hard time controlling him that day. As if that was not enough, he blew a raspberry at me! " Finished Elise with a huff.

Edmund gave a gummy grin. He remembered that day all too well, he wanted to spend the day with mama but she left as always. So he got angry but Granma wouldn't understand what he wanted so he started sobbing, he wanted his mama. When Granma finally took him to his mama he yowled at her for leaving him and going away. When mama started to say sorry only did he let her hug him, his mama kissed him and they played. But the best part was when his mama's friends wanted to play with him! Him mama had then gave him the talk for playing with mama's friends but he was happy, he had got back at her!

Tom laughed at his son's and Elise's attics, he couldn't wait to be part of their lives. He had mourned for the lost time but only now did he realise its importance, he had missed all the good times hopefully not anymore. But I can still experience all of it. Tom looked at Elise who smiled back. Yes all is not lost.

"These are from his seventh and eighth months when I finally introduced him to the world, so to speak. We went to parks, stores, museum among others." Said Elise pointing the photos.

"Museum, eh?" said Tom smirking slightly. Elise rolled eyes and huffed.

Tom looked at the photos of Elise and Edmund with the O'Donnell's at the park, in the stores and at the museum. All the ladies at the park were cooing at Edmund with him bestowing them cute smiles and gummy grins. Not many photos were with Elise or with O'Donnell's.

"He seems quite popular with the ladies." Said Tom.

"Yes. They wait for him at the park, he has amassed quite a fan base!" Replied Elise with a snort.

Tom smiled in amusement and turned pages to them at the general store. Edmund was looking wide eyes at the things while pointed at some, in others copying Elise and checking the products. Here too people looked at him and smiled.

"He is a traffic jammer! It takes so much time to shop for anything with Edmund." Said Elise sighing playfully.

Tom turned again smiling to the photos of them at the British Museum.

"You seem very interested about history and mythology."

"Passionate more like it!" said Elise with a chuckle.

"It that Edmund picking books?" asked Tom in surprise.

"Yes! The books we bought were read long ago so we went shopping. I let him pick books since he is a very keen listener." Replied Elise with a chuckle.

Tom chuckled at the picture of Edmund quarrelling with his Granma over books while Elise and Mr O'Donnell stood aside enjoying the show with smirks.

"Amelia bemoans at Edmund turning into a bookworm! Patrick of course puffs up at his grandson being just like him!" said Elise with a smirk.

How would father be like around Edmund? Tom mentally shook his head. Later.

"You two get back at her a lot then." Said Tom eyeing Elise.

"Plenty!" said Elise gleefully, "It's not very often but when we do it's smack in the face!"

Tom was amused at her glee. "I take you to agree to disagree often."

"Always. She wants Edmund to be like other boys – sporty. Doesn't want another book lover! We, of course disagree."

"Must drive her up the wall to be surrounded by indoor people." said Tom in fake conciliation.

"Oi! We do like outdoorsy activities. Patrick likes to fish and while I like to spent time outside a lot. We are fun people!" said Elise faking indignation.

"Of course you are." Said Tom smirking. Elise turned up her nose at him and turned pages.

"This is the first time when Edmund crawled. He had just turned eight months." Said Elise with a fond smile. "Luckily I had the camera handy!"

He looked at the photos of Edmund trying to crawl; they were quit funny. Edmund was rolling around the bed, getting in funny positions. Some even had Elise in them, cheering him.

"It was 8 o'clock in the night, I was going though some office work, Edmund as usual was rolling around on the carpet when I by chance looked up to see him get up on his hands and legs and start crawling towards me. I was stunned for a minute but quickly came to my senses and grabbed the camera lying by and clicked the photo." Told Elise looking at Edmund with a smile.

Edmund looked at his photos in triumph, he could finally recognise himself.

"That's Amelia and Patrick surprised at seeing Edmund crawl the next day." Said Elise fondly recalling the day. She had planned it all and brought along her camera to capture their reaction.

"He seems to be very docile. Not ever fussing about anything. Very well behaved." Said Tom. Till now he hadn't seen one picture of Edmund misbehaving or even fussing.

Elise snorted and turned the pages.

"Spoke too soon." Said Tom looking at the photos of Edmund picking out his own breakfast, turning head away in others and eyeing freshly baked cookies while ignoring his milk among others.

"He is picky." Said Elise observing Tom.

There were some in O'Donnell's house, Edmund trying to sneak away a cookie when Amelia caught and took away the cookies while Edmund made a long face. Tom was amused at his son's attics and looked up at Elise.

"It was baking week and Edmund had acquired the taste for cookies earlier that week and since had been on prowl for cookies. I had decided to catch him in action. After a few lost tries Edmund relented and in reward Amelia let him help with icing. Not surprisingly muffins and cake weren't the only ones with got icing." Said Elise sighing and pointed at the photo of Edmund covered in icing and smiling at the camera.

"And ever since I have been harassed into baking by this little terror!" said Elise eyeing Edmund who was smiling at his photo.

Tom was smiling at his son's photo too, he looked impishly cute; he did feel sorry for Elise but was more proud of his son, he was happy that his son got the childhood he never had.

"You are lucky to have such joyful mornings." Said Tom smiling innocently.

"Oh don't worry! You will experience it for yourself in few months. I am all about sharing." Said Elise with equally innocent smile.

Tom smirked slightly and turned pages.

"That's him moseying around our home and at O'Donnell's. We had quite an exercise running and looking after him. He's fast!" said Elise.

Tom mentally agreed with her, Edmund was crawling about the house, looking through things and dangerously close at mucking them.

"Little terror indeed." Said Tom and kissed Edmund on head.

"Mosey is an Irish word." He added looking up at Elise.

"Patrick grew up in Ireland." Answered Elise.

Tom nodded and looked at his wristwatch, "I should go, it's getting late. Good night." said Tom kissing Edmund and nodding at Elise, he put Edmund down on the bed and got off it to go.

Elise got up picking Edmund and walked over to Tom who was putting his coat. Tom opened the door and walked out. Elise was about to reach and close the door when Tom stuck his head back.

"How did you guess about I being a law student?" he asked.

Elise raised her brow and said, "You have brain of a scientist or a philosopher but you have adopted and thoroughly taught yourself the science of deduction, clearly a admirer of Sherlock Holmes, so it's only obvious you like a good murder. Since you can't be a detective the next best thing is to be a lawyer specialised in murder trails."

"Fascinating. Clearly I am not the only one."

"Goodnight Tom." said Elise with a smile, shutting the door.