Sabrina's POV
“Camping?” I repeated, emphasizing the word. “But going up the mountain might be a bit tricky. How about we make a little camping spot in the front yard instead? We can pitch a tent, set up lights, and make it feel just like the real thing.”“Wow! Mom, really?!” Charlie almost jumped in excitement. “Can we? We’ll pitch a tent, then eat dinner outside too? Just like being in the wild?”I nodded while ruffling his hair. “Of course you can. As long as we prepare everything first. And you have to promise to help Mom Hazel and Mom Sabrina, okay?”Charlie quickly raised his thumb. “Yes, Mom Sabrina!”Hazel laughed and patted his shoulder. “Alright then, let’s start preparing now. But before camping, we need to cook dinner first. Full stomachs make camping even more fun.”I nodded in agreement. Together, we headed to the kitchen to check the ingredients. Hazel opened the fridge while I arranged a few items on the counter. Charlie busied himself walkinSabrina's POV Charlie finally stopped running and plopped down on a chair, his face flushed from excitement yet his eyes still sparkling. Resting his chin on his hand, he stared at the table with anticipation, as if awaiting a grand feast. Hazel smoothed his slightly messy hair, then went back inside briefly to fetch drinks.I arranged the spoons and forks on the table, making sure everything was ready. Something about this evening felt different—not just because of the food or the way the backyard looked, but because of how everyone played their part. Hazel with her calmness, Nicholas with his energy despite his long day, Charlie with his endless cheer, and me, feeling grateful to stand in the middle of it all.The last rays of sunlight slowly sank behind the neighbors’ rooftops. The sky was now nearly dark, leaving only a thin orange line on the horizon. The garden lights stood out more brightly, transforming the yard into a small dining space, separate from the outsi
Sabrina's POV “Camping?” I repeated, emphasizing the word. “But going up the mountain might be a bit tricky. How about we make a little camping spot in the front yard instead? We can pitch a tent, set up lights, and make it feel just like the real thing.”“Wow! Mom, really?!” Charlie almost jumped in excitement. “Can we? We’ll pitch a tent, then eat dinner outside too? Just like being in the wild?”I nodded while ruffling his hair. “Of course you can. As long as we prepare everything first. And you have to promise to help Mom Hazel and Mom Sabrina, okay?”Charlie quickly raised his thumb. “Yes, Mom Sabrina!”Hazel laughed and patted his shoulder. “Alright then, let’s start preparing now. But before camping, we need to cook dinner first. Full stomachs make camping even more fun.”I nodded in agreement. Together, we headed to the kitchen to check the ingredients. Hazel opened the fridge while I arranged a few items on the counter. Charlie busied himself walkin
Sabrina's POV “Mom! Today I drew a big mountain and a huge sun! My teacher said it was really good, and I got a gold star on my paper!” he said quickly, still out of breath.Hazel chuckled softly as she adjusted his backpack. “Wow, a gold star? That means you really put your heart into the drawing. What did the mountain look like, Charlie?”Charlie waved his hand in the air, as if painting something invisible. “It was really big, Mom! Two mountains, and I put the sun in the middle so it looked like it was smiling. Oh, and I added a little tree, and some birds shaped like the letter V.”Walking beside them, I chimed in. “Birds shaped like V’s? That’s funny, Daddy used to draw birds like that too when I was your age.”Charlie turned quickly toward me, his eyes sparkling. “Really? Then I’m just like Daddy! But I made my clouds different. I drew them round, like cotton candy. My teacher said they looked cute, because the other kids only drew long lines for clouds.”
Sabrina's POV The midday sun had begun to shift, its rays filtering through the glass of the restaurant where we sat. I let out a relieved sigh after finishing lunch with Hazel. My stomach was full, and my heart felt warm. But I knew time kept moving. I glanced at the watch on my wrist, the long hand almost touching twelve.“Hazel,” I turned to her as she was still busy sipping her iced tea, “how about we pick up Charlie after this? Instead of going home first and heading out again, it’s better if we go straight to his school.”Hazel lifted her face, her eyes widening as if the thought hadn’t occurred to her. “Oh, that’s true. Good idea. Besides, Charlie will surely be happy if we both pick him up together.”I nodded with a smile. A warm feeling rose every time I imagined Charlie’s cheerful face. That child had a simple way of making everyone around him happy. Hazel seemed to agree; she immediately pulled out her phone to check the school’s dismissal time.“Ther
Sabrina's POV When Hazel finally let out a long sigh, her cheeks flushed from exertion, I knew she was content. Her small hands, once busy, now clutched the last roll as if reluctant to let it go. I took most of the samples from her arms to lighten her load. She only glanced at me briefly, then gave a faint smile—a simple smile, yet brimming with gratitude.In that fabric-filled room, I realized one thing: Hazel wasn’t just choosing material for a dress. She was weaving back her confidence, sheet by sheet, color by color.It was a quiet but important moment. I knew that someday, when these fabrics became real creations, I would remember this day—the day I saw Hazel believe in herself more than ever before.“I can see this becoming a spring dress,” I said, pointing to the pale blue cloth with tiny white flowers. Hazel chuckled. “I thought the same. A simple dress, maybe A-line. Something for everyday wear, but still sweet.” I gazed at her in admir
Sabrina's POV Hazel slapped her forehead, laughing louder. “Oh my gosh, yes! I always look cold, but honestly I was just… confused.”“Confused about how to deal with new people?” I teased lightly.Hazel nodded shyly. “Something like that. But look at us now, I feel like I’ve known you for ages.”I smiled warmly, feeling this conversation was truly opening a new space between us. “That means we’re starting to trust each other. And trust is a foundation if we want to move forward together.”Hazel looked at me for a long moment, then nodded with a serious expression. “I’ll remember that.” After a short pause, she added more playfully, “But don’t think I’ll stop teasing you. That’s part of how I adapt.”I laughed, flicking on the turn signal to take a smaller road. “Alright then, I’ll be ready to be your teasing victim.”Hazel laughed too, her voice clear and genuine. In that laughter, I could sense something slowly building: trust, comfort, and perhaps even