Sabrina's POV
I had just arrived home after dropping Charlie off at school. As I opened the door, the gentle aroma of the empty house welcomed me. I placed my bag and keys on the small table near the entrance, taking a deep breath in an attempt to dispel the heavy silence that felt more oppressive today.Every corner of this house reminded me of the beautiful moments we had shared together. However, now everything felt empty without Nicholas's presence. I walked slowly into the living room, feeling the stillness envelop me.Sitting on the sofa, I reflected on how my days were always filled with noise and laughter. Now, everything seemed to have come to a halt. I picked up my phone and checked the screen, hoping for a message from him, but there was none.“I can get through this,” I whispered, trying to calm myself. Maybe I could do something to fill the time, something that would make me feel better. I got up and headed to the kitchen, intending to prSabrina's POV Nicholas raised his hands as if surrendering. “First, I misread the recipe. It was supposed to be two teaspoons of baking powder, but I used two tablespoons. Then, I forgot to set the oven timer. So, when I finally opened the oven door… yeah, everything was pitch black. The smell was so bad my mom immediately opened all the windows in the house.”Charlie stifled a laugh, covering his mouth. “Dad, that’s like in a cartoon!”I laughed too. “Did you eat the cake?”Nicholas shook his head quickly. “No way. Even our pet cat refused to come near it. My mom said, ‘Son, this isn’t a cake, this is a self-defense weapon.’”Hazel nearly choked from holding back her laughter. “I can imagine that. But at least you tried. Maybe that’s where your talent for never letting people go hungry started?”Nicholas smirked. “Or maybe that’s where I learned to leave the kitchen work to someone more skilled. Although, honestly, I can make a decent omelet now.”Hazel
Sabrina's POVThe waiter left us after making sure all our orders were complete. On the table, pizza, pasta, steak, and several side dishes were neatly arranged. The aroma of melted cheese, fragrant spices, and steaming sauce made my stomach contract.“All right, let’s eat,” Nicholas said, raising his glass of mineral water. “To a pleasant day.”“To a pleasant day,” Hazel and I echoed, while Charlie enthusiastically lifted his glass of orange juice. We all smiled, then began to enjoy the food.Charlie immediately grabbed a slice of pizza, the melted cheese stretching so far it almost fell onto the table. He chuckled as he tried to bite through the stringy cheese. “This is so good!” he exclaimed.Hazel smiled at him. “Slow down, or you’ll choke.”Nicholas nodded. “Yes, and don’t forget to drink.” He then handed Charlie a tissue, a small gesture that seemed like second nature for him as a father.I cut into the steak in front of me. The meat was so ten
Sabrina'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