"Daddy, why do I already miss Cloud and Browny?"
Axel smiled. "I rember you already said goodbye to them before we left?"
"Yes, I do. But I miss feeding them. I hope Jimmy rembers to give them plenty of apples."
"He will. I will remind him later..."
"Thank you, Daddy..." he said, leaning on his shoulder and looking at the hospital entrance.
When Axel thought his son would sleep, his soft voice broke the silence again.
"Daddy, did mommy rember to tell Grandma Martha we’re heading to the beach house?"
"I think Mommy rembers."
Oliver suddenly sat up straighter and clapped his hands, eyes shining as he looked at his father, "Daddy, you know... Grandma Martha always makes cookies. And, Blueberry muffins. Banana muffins. Chocolate muffins, too."
Axel raised an eyebrow. "That’s a lot of muffins."
"Hmmm...A lot. And she lets eat two," Oliver said proudly. "Sotis three. But never four or more."
Axel shook his head in amusent. "I see why you miss her."
Before Oliver could list more baked goods, Axel noticed movent at the hospital entrance.
His heart stilled.
Evelyn appeared, walking beside Lisa.
Axel straightened imdiately, relief washing through him.
Almost at the sa ti, Liam returned with a large donut box.
"Mommy!" Oliver exclaid, pressing his face to the window.
Axel smiled, his worry easing as the car door opened and Evelyn finally ca back to them.
"Sorry, I made you wait so long," Evelyn said as soon as she slid into the passenger seat, her voice filled with genuine apology.
Axel smiled while helping Oliver settle into his car seat in the back. "It’s fine. We were having fun here, right, buddy?" he said, giving their son a playful blink.
"Yes, we are having fun here, Mom..." Oliver declared loudly, craning his neck to peer around the car. "But I’m hungry. Uncle Liam, where is my donut?"
"No worries, young master," Liam replied. "I bought many donuts for you."
Evelyn laughed as she buckled her seatbelt, the tension she had carried inside the hospital finally loosening. Hurriedly, she took the donut box from Liam and opened it, the sweet sll filling the car.
"What do you want?" she asked, glancing at the back row, pretending to be serious.
"My favorite, Mommy," Oliver replied without hesitation.
She raised an eyebrow. "Which one is that?"
"The biggest one," he answered proudly, "with many chocolates inside."
Axel chuckled. "Hmmm...I’d say you have a particularly unique taste bud, buddy."
Evelyn shook her head, amused, and handed Oliver a generously sized donut. "This is why you and Daddy get along so well."
"That’s because Daddy also likes to eat a lot," Oliver said innocently.
Axel coughed. Evelyn burst out laughing, while Liam and Lisa quietly focused on the road as if nothing had happened.
Once Oliver was happily busy with his donut, the car finally pulled away from the hospital, heading toward Willowcrest.
The city slowly faded behind them, replaced by open roads and distant mountain scenery.
Axel reached for Evelyn’s hand, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles. He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "You look happy. Was the eting a success?"
The question held the worry he had kept to himself for the past hour. He had feared bad news, complicated histories, or people who might hurt her.
"Yes," Evelyn replied softly, her eyes shining. "It was a success."
She leans slightly toward him. "I t my mother’s cousin. His father is actually my grandmother’s twin brother. He’s kind... Really kind. Completely different from the person I was afraid I might et."
Axel felt the tension in his chest ease. He squeezed her hand gently. "I am thrilled to hear that, Eve."
"So am I," she said, her smile lingering. "I feel happy."
After a brief pause, she added, "Oh, right. He wants to et you. et my family."
Axel was slightly surprised, "Now?"
"Not now. Since we were outside, it wasn’t appropriate. So I invited him to dinner at our house instead. I hope you don’t mind."
"Mind?" Axel smiled warmly. "Of course not. I’d love to et him."
From the back seat, Oliver suddenly chid in, his mouth full. "Who are we eting?"
"Mommy’s family," Axel replied.
Oliver’s eyes widened. "Do they like donuts?"
Evelyn laughed, leaning back in her seat. "I think they will, especially if you share."
Oliver considered that seriously. "Okay," he said at last. "But only one."
Axel and Evelyn exchanged amused glances, the car filled with warmth, laughter, and the quiet sense that sothing important had finally fallen into place.
...
The drive to Willowcrest felt shorter than usual, the familiar underground lights guiding their car into the basent parking area. The engine fell silent, and for a brief mont, everything felt calm.
Axel checked the ti on his phone and sighed quietly. "I can’t go up with you," he said, regret clear in his voice. "I have to head back to the city for a eting."
Evelyn nodded.
Axel stepped out first and gently helped Oliver out of the car, lifting him with ease. "Alright, buddy, you wait with Lisa on the elevator."
"Hmm..." Oliver is already sprinting toward the elevator with Lisa following him behind.
While Evelyn was standing next to the vehicle, she watched Axel for a mont before calling out, "Make sure you return before dinner, Axel. I won’t greet my uncle without you."
He smiles, tugging at his lips. "Are you threatening or inviting ?"
"Both," she replied lightly.
Axel closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if he was morizing the mont.
"I’ll be back," he murmured against her hair. "I wouldn’t miss this for anything."
Evelyn rested her forehead against his chest. "Drive safely," she whispered. "And don’t be late."
He gently lifted her chin and kissed her, slow and reassuring. "I won’t be late, my dear."
Her heart softened at his words. "I love you."
"I know," he replied with a grin. "I love you too."
She laughed softly as he finally stepped away. Axel gave her one last look before joining Liam, and soon, the car disappeared up the basent.
Evelyn exhaled and turned toward the elevator. Just as she reached for her phone, it vibrated.
A ssage appeared on the screen.
"Eve, have you arrived yet?" From: Martha
A smile appeared in her eyes as she quickly typed her reply, "Yes, aunty. We are at ho now. See you..."
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