ALEX’S POV.
I stood at the arrival arena, my hands stuffed in my coat jacket. Scanning through the crowd. The moment I spotted Saraya and Evan, relief washed over me.
“Dad!” Saraya called, quickening her pace.
I pulled her into a hug, then Evan. “You made it,” I said, my voice heavy with exhaustion.
“How are you holding up?” Saraya asked as we walked toward the car.
“I’m doing great,” I replied, though that was far from the truth, I was so exhausted.
Once we were on the road, I glanced at Saraya in the rearview mirror. “You look pale. Are you okay?”
Saraya gave a tired smile. “I’m fine, Dad. Honestly.” She leaned back in her seat. “But if we’re talking about pale faces, have you seen yours?”
“Mine?” I raised an eyebrow, glancing briefly at her.
“Yeah,” she said with a grin. “You look terrible. Evan, back me up here.”
Evan laughed. “She’s got a point, dad. You look like you haven’t slept in days.”
I sighed, gripping the wheel. “I haven’t. But after the funeral, I promise I’ll sleep. A lot.”
Saraya’s voice softened. “Is Mary okay? I mean… Mom?”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Mom?”
“Yeah,” she said casually. “I figured it’s about time I called her that.”
Her words sank in, and for the first time in days, I laughed. A real laugh. “You always know how to catch me off guard, don’t you?”
Saraya grinned. “I’m glad I did.”
“Thank you,” I said, my voice quiet but full of gratitude. “I needed that.”
“You’re welcome, Dad,” she replied, leaning her head against the window.
For the first time in days, the heaviness in my chest felt a little lighter.
*
We pulled up at Mary’s family home, and I turned off the engine. For a moment, none of us moved.
“You okay, Dad?” Saraya asked, leaning forward from the back seat.
I nodded, forcing a small smile. “Yeah. Let’s go inside.”
As soon as we stepped into the house, Mary appeared in the living room. Her face lit up when she saw Saraya and Evan, and she rushed towards them, arms outstretched.
“Saraya!” she cried, pulling her into a tight hug. “Evan!”
“I’m here, Mom,” Saraya said softly, wrapping her arms around Mary.
Mary’s shoulders started shaking as she broke down, clutching Saraya like she was afraid to let go. “I’m so glad you made it down here,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too, Mom,” Saraya murmured, gently rubbing her back. “You’re not alone. We’re here now.”
Mary pulled back slightly, her eyes red and puffy, and looked at Saraya. “I almost thought I would be stuck alone with your father who had refused to sleep a wink. With you guys around, I’m sure he will get some sleep.”
Saraya looked at my direction, “I’ll tuck you in to get some sleep.” She told me drawing chuckles from Mary and myself.
“Thank you for taking care of your brother,” she said, her voice laced with emotion. “You’ve been so strong for him.”
Saraya gave a small smile and shook her head. “Mom, it’s my duty. He’s my brother. That’s what family does.”
Mary turned to Evan, pulling him into a hug next. “Evan, my boy,” she said, her voice trembling. “Look at you,” she said running her hands over his face. “Thank you for being so patient with everything.”
Evan hugged her back tightly. “It’s okay, Mom. I’m right here.”
Saraya rested a hand on Evan’s shoulder, her voice light but firm. “Mom, you don’t have to worry about James. Any day and anytime, I’ve got him covered.”
Mary turned to me then, her gaze full of gratitude. I just nodded, too choked up to speak.
Saraya smiled and nudged Mary gently. “Now, no more thanking me, okay? Let’s just focus on getting through this together.”
Mary pulled both of them close again, holding them tightly. “You two are my everything.”
I stayed by the doorway, watching the scene unfold, my heart swelling with pride and love. Seeing Saraya and Evan with Mary like this-strong, united, and full of love-it hit me hard.
“If this is the last thing I ever see, I could leave this world a fulfilled man.” I said to myself.
“How is mother doing?” Mary asked. “I hope she is doing great?”
“Trust me when I say she is overflowing with energy someone as young as me don’t have. You don’t have to worry about her, Ian will join her tomorrow.”
“Ian?” Mary and I said at the same time.
Saraya nodded her head. “Hmmm, that was what grandma said.”
“It’s fine,” Mary waved her hand in the air. “Ian is also a part of the family and it’s a good thing he gets to keeps mother company before we return back to Sydney.”
Mary looked over at me and smiled. “Alex, come here, you’re standing too far away.”
I hesitated but walked over, thinking about Ian and my mother alone in the house, especially knowing how Ian will be trying to put idea on how to impeach Saraya in her head.
I sat next to Mary on the couch. Saraya glanced around suddenly and spoke up.
“You know what? I just realized something.”
“What is it?” Mary asked, wiping her eyes.
Saraya leaned back and crossed her arms. “I don’t have a single family picture with all of us. Not one.”
Mary blinked. “You’re joking.”
“Nope,” Saraya said, shaking her head. “And we need to fix that right now.”
Evan perked up. “I’ll set it up. Hold on.” He grabbed his phone and positioned it on a table, activating the self-timer.
“Alright, everyone, get in close!” Evan said, running back to the couch.
“Wow!” I patted Evan’s back. “You’re so good at this.”
“I’ll be a world famous photographer one day.” Evan said confidently.
“And you have my support.” Saraya said, a huge smile spread on everyone’s faces.
Mary sat in the middle with Saraya on one side and Evan on the other, while I stood behind them, resting a hand on Mary’s shoulder.
“Smile!” Saraya called out as the camera clicked.
Evan grabbed the phone and showed the picture to Mary.
“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Mary said softly, her voice full of emotion.
“Let me see!” Saraya leaned over to look, grinning. “Not bad, huh?”
“It’s perfect,” Evan said.
I smiled. “Thank you, Saraya. You’ve really cheered your mom up.”
Saraya shrugged. “It’s no big deal, Dad.”
I chuckled. “No big deal? If I’d known you could make Mary this happy so quickly, I’d have brought you here earlier!”
Mary laughed, shaking her head. “You’re impossible, Alex.”
Saraya grinned. “He’s right, though, mom. My charm is unmatched.”
We all laughed, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I have no regret in life though I could count a handful of them, the greatest of all was towards Saraya’s mom, Tina.
Seeing Saraya smile made me realize she must have let go of her resentment towards me for not getting to knowing about her existence, early enough.