The guests set out with their children to find their houses. With no specific directions, it meant they would likely have to search the entire Warren Isle village.
After walking for a while, Naomi Kenway felt a little tired. She bent down to pick Ian up, but to her surprise, he refused.
"No! Don't carry me!"
"Why?" Naomi Kenway's throat was a little dry, and she swallowed instinctively.
Ian's cheeks were flushed, and Naomi Kenway noticed he had just been panting. Her heart instantly ached for him.
"Aren't you tired, Ian?"
Ian shook his head and said firmly, "But Mommy is tired too. I don't want Mommy to carry me. I'm a big boy now, I can walk by myself!"
Naomi Kenway froze, hesitating. In the moment she was pondering this, Ian had already run off with his little backpack, putting some distance between them.
"Ian!"
Ian looked back. "See, Mommy? I'm… not tired at all!" he declared, patting his little chest reassuringly while panting slightly.
