Freya understood that Dina had found a way to come back during her absence. She was exhausted, her body unable to support her. She didn’t want any interaction with Dina, so she lazily buried herself in Elijah’s neck, pretending to be asleep.
Once outside, Dina opened the car door, and Elijah carried Freya inside. Then they headed straight back to their residence. Sivin went back on his own. Elowen knew that her daughter was coming back today, so she cleaned the house inside and out, and Linda prepared a table full of food. As soon as Freya entered, she felt a long-lost sense of home.
Elowen smiled and said, “Freya, welcome home.”
Kai was also excitedly welcoming Freya, being coaxed by Elowen.
Linda stood aside, also happy, “Mrs Silverton.”
Freya instantly broke down, tears streaming down her face.
“Why are you crying again? You shouldn’t shed tears during this period. You’ll cry a lot in the future.” Elowen said as she wiped away her tears.
Elijah called back, saying that both he and Freya would be coming back today. He also mentioned that Freya had given birth over there, but because the baby was premature, they had to stay in the incubator for now and couldn’t come back. Elijah said this to Elowen so that she wouldn’t directly ask about the baby when she saw Freya. It would only make Freya more uncomfortable. That avoided Freya facing this question head-on. On the other hand, Elijah didn’t want Elowen to know the truth. It would only add another person to worry about.
Freya’s throat was dry, her nose was also tingling, she didn’t want to cry. She tried to suppress her emotions, but tears still flowed. She choked, “Mom, I missed you…”
“You’re already so grown up.” Elowen’s words carried a hint of reproach, but her eyes turned red. She controlled her emotions, knowing that today was a happy day. “Linda and I received Elijah’s call and started preparing a big table of delicious food. It’s been a long time since our family gathered together. You two go take a shower, and we’ll have a reunion dinner.”
She added, “But you can’t take too long in the shower.”
Freya agreed, “Okay.”
“Mama.”
Kai suddenly spoke up. This was something Elowen had taught him, to call Freya “Mama” when he saw her. Kai’s own feelings towards Freya were actually quite faint because she had been away for a long time, and he was starting to forget about her. Elowen knew what a mother cared about.
Freya struggled to adjust her emotions and once again broke down because of Kai.
“Put me down.” Her voice was hoarse.
Elijah gently set her down.
Freya watched as Kai took small steps, walking toward her, and suddenly knelt down, tightly hugging him. Kai’s tiny body was wrapped in her arms. Grandma said not to push her away. Kai didn’t move.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” Freya couldn’t control her emotions. The blanket slipped off her body, and Elijah walked over, squatting beside her, wrapping her in the blanket to prevent her from catching a cold.
“Calm down.” Elijah whispered, “We’ll be very worried if you continue like this.”
She looked up and saw Elowen and Linda both looking at her with slightly red eyes. Elijah wiped away her tears. Freya composed herself, “I miss Kai so much.”
It was more of a sense of indebtedness and guilt. Elijah knew it all too well and said, “The food will get cold if we wait any longer. Let me help you freshen up.”
“Yes, you’re back now, and you have plenty of time to reunite with Kai. There’s no rush,” Linda added.
Freya nodded, wiped away her tears, and looked at Kai, forcing a smile at him. Kai blinked his eyes and immediately called out “Papa” when he turned his face. Elijah reached out and touched his face. Then Kai pounced into his arms affectionately. The little boy hugged his father tightly, probably unable to express his longing through words, so he kissed his face. Elijah felt Freya’s sorrow and rubbed their son’s hair. “Go play.”
But Kai refused to let go, burying his face in Elijah’s embrace. Elijah coaxed him with promises of buying toys, and only then did he release his grip. Elowen picked up Kai and said, “You two go inside first.”
Elijah acknowledged with a grunt and hugged Freya, heading back to their room. At the moment the door closed, he held Freya tight. He knew that Kai’s distance from her had made her sad.
“I know how much you love him. It wasn’t easy for you to save him back then, and he loves you too. It’s just that without you around, he temporarily forgets, but he’ll remember in a few days.”
Freya understood the reasoning but she couldn’t control her emotions. Elijah gently patted her back. After a while, her emotions improved, and Elijah let go of her, saying, “I’ll get you some hot water.”
He walked into the bathroom, filled the tub with hot water, and soon the entire bathroom was filled with steam. It was warm inside. Elijah helped her undress.
“I can do it myself…” Freya grabbed his hand.
“Let me do it for you.”
At this moment, he had no romantic thoughts or desires. He just wanted to take care of her with his own hands. Freya had a C-section and it had only been three days, so her incision couldn’t get wet. Elijah dampened a towel and gently wiped her, little by little, softly and carefully. After washing, he helped her put on the slightly thicker long-sleeved pajamas that Elowen had prepared, and he applied ointment to her incision. After doing all of this, Elijah quickly rinsed himself off, changed into clean clothes, and went downstairs with her.
After this moment of relief, everyone’s mood settled down. Once they were seated, Elowen deliberately arranged for Kai to sit next to Freya. The food was still hot, and there was freshly served hot soup. Elowen served Freya, “Have a little, it’ll warm you up.”
Freya took it with both hands, “Thank you, mom.” She sipped the hot soup in small sips, and her body truly warmed up.
Freya started to serve Kai some food. Kai sat in the children’s high chair, eating on his own. He didn’t need anyone to take care of him.
“Such a good boy,” Freya praised. She served him the food he liked, and he used a spoon to scoop it into his mouth. Freya watched him eat. Finally, she felt a warm feeling in her heart.
After finishing their meal, Elowen urged Freya to go to their room. She was still in her postpartum recovery period and needed to rest. Linda and Elowen were outside, tidying up. They went back to their room.
Freya had just finished eating and couldn’t lie down, so she stood up and asked, “Where’s Evan?”
She only saw Dina, but not Evan.
Elijah’s expression changed slightly, “He had an accident…”
Freya rarely saw Elijah hesitate like this, so she pressed on, “What happened?”
“A car accident.” Elijah didn’t want to say it, as it was really bad news. “He’s in a vegetative state.”
Freya was shocked and heartbroken.
“Okay, don’t think too much about it. Rest well,” Elijah said, lifting the covers and helping her lie down. “I need to go see him.”
Freya nodded, understanding. “Go, then.” As she lay there, something seemed to come to her mind, and she called out to him, “Elijah…”