Nicholas's POV
The morning sky was clear, as if the universe was giving space for my thoughts not to grow more muddled. But the truth was, my chest still felt heavy even though the fresh air streamed in through the slightly opened car window. Charlie sat in the back seat, hugging his backpack with a cheerful smile, excitedly sharing his dream from the night before. Sabrina sat beside me, only occasionally responding, and I knew her mind was still divided.I glanced at her for a moment. Her hair was tied back loosely, her face pale but still beautiful as always. There was something in her gaze that made me want to reach out and hold her hand, to reassure her that everything would be okay—even though I wasn't completely sure myself.“I dreamed I met a dinosaur that could talk, and it invited me onto a spaceship,” Charlie said, laughing. “The ship was like the one in the movies, Dad! And I was the captain!”“That’s amazing, buddy,” I replied, tryingSabrina's POV Charlie, who was sitting next to me, gripped his spoon tightly like a soldier ready for battle. He scooped the very top layer, getting a bit of cream and a slice of strawberry. As soon as the first bite entered his mouth, he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh, as if experiencing a sacred moment. “This is so good,” he said in an awed tone, then immediately scooped up another bite.Hazel smiled at him, then took her own spoon. She aimed for the spot where the chocolate sauce met the ice cream, and just as her spoon reached it, Nicholas quickly moved his own spoon in, trying to take the exact same piece.“I was here first!” protested Hazel, laughing.“There’s no such thing as ‘first’ in an ice cream war,” Nicholas replied with a mischievous grin, managing to snag the biscuit piece Hazel had been eyeing.I simply shook my head at their antics while guarding my own spoon. I chose an untouched spot, mixing a bit of strawberry wit
Sabrina'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