That afternoon...
"Are you sure you can walk this far?" Evelyn asked softly, glancing at Oliver as he walked towards the elevator, his small feet moving slightly slower. "I can carry you, sweetheart..."
Oliver’s small chin lifted slightly, looking at her. "No, Mommy. I’m already three. I can and I love to walk."
Then, he stood on tiptoe and jabbed the elevator button, his eyes narrowing in intense concentration as he watched the flickering numbers above the door.
He looked so serious that Evelyn had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
"But sweetheart, you’re still recovering from your injury," she reminded him gently but worry obviously could be heard in her voice. "I don’t think anyone would judge if you let me carry you."
Oliver’s brows knit together as he turned to her, giving the same stubborn look Axel had given her countless times.
"No, thank you, Mom..." he said firmly, slipping his small hand into hers. His grip was warm, steady, and far stronger than his size should have allowed.
Evelyn’s heart melted. She could argue, but what was the point? Her little man was determined to prove he was grown, even if his steps were slow and careful because of his injury.
"Let’s go, Mommy," he said with a bright smile as the elevator doors slid open. "Granny must be waiting for us."
Evelyn squeezed his hand gently, her smile softening.
She let the teasing die on her lips and simply followed his lead.
Her son wasn’t just walking, but he was already learning to carry her heart.
How sweet!
...
"No, honey, we are going to the basement..." Evelyn said as Oliver was about to press the first-floor button.
"Why are we in the basement, Mom?" Oliver asked, his tiny voice echoing as he looked at her curiously.
"We’re going to use a car to get to the café," Evelyn answered, pressing the elevator button that led them to the parking lot.
"Car? Did you buy a car?" His voice shot up in excitement as his eyes scanned the basement the moment the elevator opened.
He spotted the shiny black SUV with a giant red ribbon and gasped. His little finger shot out toward it.
"Wow, Mommy, we finally own a car?" His whole face lit up, eyes sparkling like he had just discovered treasure.
Evelyn’s heart twisted.
The joy in his expression was almost too much for her to handle. He deserved this... he deserved everything. And yet, she’d never even thought of buying a car.
Walking everywhere had been enough for her, and when she needed to travel farther, taxis and Martha’s car had been the solution. But Axel had been right. Again.
Not just for emergencies. Not just for convenience. But for moments like this, her son’s pure happiness.
’Gosh, Eve. You’re so slow. You should’ve thought about this long ago.’ She silently scolded herself as she took Oliver’s hand and walked him toward the car.
"I didn’t buy this, sweetheart," she admitted softly as she opened the door. "Your daddy did. It’s his gift. For you."
Oliver’s eyes widened with awe as he climbed into the car, as if it were a spaceship.
His tiny hands explored the leather seats, and he whispered, "Wow, this car is amazing, mommy..."
Evelyn buckled him into his car seat, then sat behind the wheel herself after removing the giant ribbon.
"Mom, we should call Daddy!" Oliver announced as she started the engine.
Evelyn paused, her hands tightening around the steering wheel.
’Call Axel? Right now?’
She could practically hear his voice in her head. Imagine that man would drive her insane again, she dismisses the idea.
"Your dad’s busy right now," she said gently, forcing a smile as she looked back at her son. "We’ll call him after dinner, alright?"
Oliver seemed to think about it, then nodded faintly, as if he was granting her special permission.
"Hmm... okay. Let’s go, Mom."
She exhaled, relieved. She smoothly drove the car out of the basement parking lot.
The drive was short, barely ten minutes. Her hands tightened on the wheel while she heard Oliver hum happily behind her, peeking out the window.
By the time she parked outside the Beach Side Café, Evelyn’s nerves buzzed.
She stepped out and looked at the familiar building. Its cheerful little sign looked dim, almost lonely now that the café had been closed for days.
The sight overwhelmed her with guilt. The café had closed immediately after Oliver’s accident, and she told herself it was only temporary, just until he recovered.
Yet, her plan changed. She will leave this place, and it causes her heart to ache. So many memories linger here, and she feels unprepared to let go of them all.
Her time is running out. Axel had agreed to give her time to settle things here before moving into his world, but "time" felt like sand slipping too quickly through her fingers.
’No need to rush, Eve...’ She tries to calm her emotions.
Evelyn reached for Oliver’s hand as they walked up to the entrance.
Inside, the café smelled faintly of roasted coffee and vanilla.
However, the air was heavier than usual without the buzz of chatter and clinking mugs.
Evelyn’s gaze swept across the quiet tables and chairs, each one filled with memories: Oliver’s laughter, Aunt Martha’s cheerful scolding, the warmth of something that had once felt like a dream come true, to live peacefully in this beautiful, small heaven.
She bent down, smoothing Oliver’s hair.
"Sweetheart, let’s go inside..."
Oliver nodded enthusiastically, his grin returning.
"Hmm, let’s go. I miss Granny!"
They walk inside and head directly to Martha’s house, located right behind the café.
Evelyn smiled, though her chest tightened. She couldn’t ignore it any longer. She would have to tell Martha about Axel. She didn’t want Martha to hear it from anyone else.
She sighed, gripping her son’s hand more tightly.
’Be brave, Eve... Aunt Martha would be happy for you when she learns about it. And, she won’t ask anything, she won’t judge you, just like she usually does...’