At the spring equinox, when all planning should focus on the spring, which symbolizes renewal and the revival of all things.
“That day I looked over carefully was quite good. I initially planned to set it for October 1st, but I feared you might feel rushed and become anxious, so I postponed it to March. By then, the weather would be warm, not cold, making it perfect for you to wear your wedding dress, and many flowers would be in bloom,” explained Garrison Reeves. Then he asked, “What do you think?”
Seeing Garrison become so cautious, Winifred Dawson felt a pang of sadness. She did not want to see Garrison like this, so she took the initiative to hug him and kissed his lips.
“I am willing, I am willing to marry you, to become your wife next spring equinox. Besides you, I want no one else. I will stay with you, through thick and thin, in life and death.”
…
The wedding was settled. Every time Winifred Dawson looked at the necklace around her neck, she couldn’t help but smile. Happiness was something she couldn’t hide, and it indirectly affected those around her.
Remembering the kiss that day made Winifred blush, her ears turning red.
She tucked her stray hair behind her ears, exposing them to cool down.
Garrison Reeves had been busy in Midlands, dealing with his affairs. He used to inquire about Winifred’s outings, but now he trusted her completely, only asking that she return before dark.
Though Garrison no longer pried, Winifred reported her daily activities to him, like where she went, what she bought, and whom she met.
Once she began interacting with the outside world, Winifred visibly gained confidence, and her smile became more frequent.
Garrison had to travel for work for a day or two and might not return at night. He asked Winifred if she wanted to join him.
After some thought, Winifred declined. Garrison was going to work, not for leisure, and accompanying him might disrupt his tasks.
Moreover, she felt unskilled and worried that her presence might embarrass him.
Winifred decided to accelerate her own growth; only by truly becoming stronger could she stand rightfully by Garrison’s side.
Garrison was completely confident in Winifred’s ability to manage on her own, especially abroad where there was no risk of encountering Leland Burns unexpectedly.
Garrison left early in the morning while Winifred was still in bed. She only woke up when she heard the engine sound outside, and it took her five minutes sitting on the bed to fully awaken.
Winifred didn’t know how to make breakfast. If left alone, she would either order takeout or eat out.
After getting up, Winifred tidied the room, changed clothes, took her phone and bag, and went out. She had breakfast nearby and strolled around the area. With little money on her, she wanted to buy Garrison a decent gift but couldn’t afford it with only his credit card, unwilling to spend his money on a gift for him.
The area offered various job postings, the better ones being bar singing or playing the piano, the less appealing ones being street sweeping.
None suited Winifred. She often thought, if only her hands and voice were fine, would she really need to sweep streets?
If Mrs. Reeves saw her, who knows how she would ridicule her.
Caught in a dilemma, Winifred Dawson wandered aimlessly, visiting streets unfamiliar to her, places she had never been before. She thought exploring more could expand her knowledge. That day, she even went to the airport, planning to surprise Garrison Reeves by secretly picking him up upon his return the next day.
Winifred Dawson stood at the airport entrance, where she had rushed off her flight without a chance to look around.
…
She stood at the airport entrance, and at the same moment, a man came out leading two children.
They brushed past each other.
“Daddy, I want to eat a burger today, can I? It’s been so long since I last had one.”
“No.”
“Little brother wants to eat too…”
Leland Burns, his face stern, eyes dark as night and cold as ice, turned to his younger son, “Shawn Burns, do you want to eat this junk food?”
Startled by his father’s gaze, Shawn Burns quickly shook his head, “I won’t eat it, Daddy, I won’t.”
“Shawn Burns, you’re lying. You were drooling last night saying you wanted it!”
“I didn’t drool, and I don’t want it now.” Fearing his brother’s glare, Shawn Burns tried to hide behind Leland Burns.
Leland Burns frowned at his squabbling sons, puzzled why siblings could be so different- one introverted, the other extroverted; one talkative, the other a quiet type. Yet, these contrasts were good, as their differing personalities complemented each other.
Before having children, Leland Burns thought raising them would be easy. But actually having them, watching them grow, learning to speak, walk, eat, and sending them to kindergarten…
With children, the house became much livelier. Leland Burns preferred quiet, but both children were smart and inherited some of Winifred Dawson’s looks, making them incredibly beautiful. At merely three years old, their delicate features already stood out, making them the stars of their kindergarten, constantly receiving various toys and snacks.
If not for these qualities, Leland Burns might have long since wanted to abandon them, as their constant noise gave him headaches.
Behind him, his assistant, laden with the children’s belongings-backpacks, shoulder bags, and items in hand-followed the father and sons, gasping with the effort.
The driver had been waiting outside and spotted Leland Burns from afar in the crowd. With his sunglasses, shirt, and black suit trousers, his distinctive presence stood out starkly abroad.
“Mr. Burns.”
Leland Burns grunted in acknowledgment, and the driver approached to help the assistant, significantly easing his burden.
Suddenly, Leland Burns paused, sensing something. He stopped, turned around, and scanned the crowd of strangers, puzzled by a sudden familiar feeling.
“Daddy?”
Regaining his senses, Leland Burns looked down at his two children gazing up at him.
The three-year-olds were too small to keep up with his pace and were running as fast as their little legs could carry them.
Taking a deep breath, Leland Burns crouched down and, with one arm for each, lifted both children into his arms.