Hazel's POV
Carefully, I leaned down and kissed Charlie on the forehead. “Goodnight, sweetheart... Mommy Hazel loves you so much,” I whispered softly, trying to hold back the surge of emotions pressing from within.I took a deep breath, then opened the door and got out of the car. Outside, the night air touched my face, bringing a slight chill that didn’t come from the weather but from the heavy heart of leaving my son.Nicholas got out as well and looked at me with an unreadable expression. “Thank you... for giving me this time,” I said, my voice slightly trembling.He simply nodded. “See you, Hazel.”I stood there, watching the car slowly pull away from the parking lot, taking my sleeping child with it. And as the taillights disappeared around the corner, I felt as if a part of me was leaving with him.My steps felt heavy as I entered the apartment. The door closed quietly behind me, leaving a silence that echoeSabrina's POV I turned my head and looked at her gently. "You're a part of each other, too, Hazel."She paused for a moment, then smiled slightly. "Thank you, Sabrina."I reached out and squeezed her fingers briefly. "No need for thanks. Here, you're not alone."Nicholas nodded in agreement. "Family isn't just about blood, but about who's by your side."That statement warmed the atmosphere. I looked at them both, Nicholas with his calm gaze, Hazel with her gentle smile, and I knew I hadn't been lying when I'd made that promise. As soon as those words were spoken, the room felt like it was enveloped in a sense of inexplicable security. Charlie, who had been busy with his toys on the living room carpet, suddenly stopped and looked at us. As if unconsciously, he leaned closer, hugged Hazel's leg, and then looked up with a wide smile. Hazel returned the gesture by stroking his hair, a gentle but meaningful gesture.I watched th
Sabrina's POV I smiled, then reached for the bottle of juice she had brought. “Hazel, you’re not just accepted. You’re one of us. So don’t ever feel like an outsider, okay?”Hazel looked teary-eyed, but she quickly nodded with a smile. “Okay… I promise.”Nicholas appeared from the hallway, his hands now empty. “Charlie’s back in bed. He looks really exhausted.”I smiled. “That’s understandable, he was running around a lot earlier.”The three of us then began to tidy up the remains of the picnic. There wasn't much conversation, just a comfortable silence. Every now and then, our eyes met and we exchanged small smiles. The day ended without any dramatic details, but that was precisely what made it so special.***Evening arrived, and we sat on the porch. The air was soft, carrying the scent of damp earth from the afternoon's rain. In each of our hands, a cup of warm tea steamed lightly. I hugged my knees, enjoying the view of
Sabrina's POV The wind blew again, carrying the sweet scent of wildflowers growing along the path. In the distance, a few people had begun packing up their mats, but we lingered, letting time move slower. Charlie had dozed off in my lap, his breathing steady and warm. I let my hand gently rub his back, memorizing the weight of his body that, over time, would only grow heavier.Hazel then stood, walking slowly toward the large tree that shaded us. She leaned her back against its trunk, gazing at the wide stretch of grass. The slanting sunlight made her face look different—softer, yet full of untold stories. Her hair was a bit messy from the wind, and she made no effort to fix it.A light brown butterfly flew low, passing over our mat before finally landing on a leaf. Charlie, half-awake, glanced at it for a moment and smiled, but didn’t wake up. Nicholas only followed its movement with his eyes before closing them again.I watched Hazel as she bent down to pick a few
Sabrina's POV Before going home, Nicholas suddenly said, “Let’s take a photo before we pack up.” I turned, slightly surprised. “A photo? Do you even have a camera?” Nicholas just gave a small smile and walked to the car. Not long after, he came back carrying a small tripod. “I always keep this in the trunk. You never know when you’ll need it,” he said as he began setting it up at the edge of the picnic mat. Charlie immediately exclaimed happily, “I want to sit in the middle!” I chuckled. “Yes, you really should be in the middle. So everyone can see who the real star is today.” Hazel smiled, then helped arrange the seating. “In that case, I’ll sit next to Sabrina,” she said, gently tucking back strands of my hair that were blown by the wind. Nicholas pressed the timer button on the camera, then sat on Charlie’s other side. “Okay, ready everyone?” “Ready!” we all answered in unison. As the timer started ticking, we glanced at each other. Ch
Sabrina's POV That day, I felt our connection had grown a little closer. There was no tension, only a warmth I rarely felt in the midst of our separate pasts.By late afternoon, I heard Nicholas’s car pulling up outside. As soon as the door opened, Charlie ran to greet us in the living room. “Mama Sabrina! Mama Hazel!” he shouted cheerfully, making me smile wide. He hugged Hazel’s legs first before coming over to me.Hazel smiled, looking more at ease when she was with Charlie. They had a naturally warm bond, something I had no intention of disrupting. In fact, I was glad Charlie could feel so comfortable around her.Nicholas followed behind and hugged me warmly. “You’re home already? Was the traffic bad?” I asked. “No, the roads were still pretty clear. I’ll go take a shower first,” Nicholas replied before heading to the bedroom.As I walked to the kitchen to start dinner, Hazel followed me. “What are we cooking tonight?” she asked, glancing at t
Sabrina's POV In the distance, the bell of the old church at the end of the street chimed, marking nine o’clock. Some parents began to leave, moving away from the front of the school. Hazel took a deep breath, then looked at me. “Do you want to sit here a bit longer? I don’t feel ready to leave just yet.” I shrugged. “We can sit here as long as you like. The only thing waiting for us at home is the washing machine.”That made her laugh softly, a laugh that sounded freer than usual. So we sat again, enjoying the sound of birds perched on the power lines, the smell of fresh bread wafting from the bakery across the street, and the occasional breeze carrying the laughter of children from inside the school.Hazel seemed more relaxed. Her hands no longer gripped the edge of her jacket like before, and her eyes no longer looked anxious. “Thank you,” she said suddenly. “Not just for letting me come with you to drop Charlie off. But for sitting here with me, keeping me comp