ALEX’S POV.
The funeral had dragged on longer than I expected. Guests kept coming in, offering their condolences, and it felt like we’d never get a break.
But by evening, things finally started to quiet down.
Mary, Matilda, and I were talking, the conversation light for the first time all day. Just as I was starting to relax, the door opened. Saraya walked in, Dominic beside her.
“I’ll like to talk my leave now.” Dominic announced, standing few inches away from us.
He turned to Mary, offering his condolences once more. “I’m really sorry for your loss.”
Mary smiled softly. “Thank you, Dominic. It means a lot.”
Dominic hugged her gently. “Take care of yourself,” he said before stepping back.
He gave me a nod. “See you around, sir.”
I nodded. “See you around, my boy.”
“Take your time, Saraya,” I called after her, my voice steady. She looked back at me, flashing that familiar smile, then disappeared through the door with Dominic.
I watched him leave, then glanced at Mary. “You know, I think Dominic is a good man and would make a good son in law.”
Matilda gave me a small smile. “I think so too, but we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves. You know Sara won’t like that?”
I settled into the chair, letting out a deep breath. It had been a long day, and I was grateful for the momentary calm.
I looked around the room. “Where’s Evan? I don’t think I’ve seen him all day.”
Mary glanced at me, shifting slightly in her chair. “Alex, you know how he is. He’s probably hiding somewhere. Big crowds aren’t his thing.”
I sighed, leaning back. “Yeah, but he can’t keep doing that forever. If he wants to be a top-notch photographer, he’s got to stop running away from people.”
Mary fixed her gaze on me. “You think nagging him about it is going to change anything?”
“I’m not nagging,” I said quickly, then paused. “Okay, maybe I am. But he needs to hear it.”
“I’ll talk to him.”
I stood, brushing off my pants. “No, I’ll go. I’m his father, Mary. He can’t avoid the world forever.”
She smiled faintly. “Be kind, Alex.”
The cool evening air hit me as I stepped outside. The garden was quiet, the moonlight casting shadows over the flowers. It didn’t take long to find him-sitting on the edge of the fountain, his camera in his hands.
“Evan,” I called out.
He looked up, startled. “Dad.”
I walked over and sat beside him. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” he said softly, staring down at the water.
“You’ve been out here all day,” I pointed out.
“I just needed a break,” he muttered, fiddling with his hands.
I sighed. “Look, I get it. Crowds can be a lot. But you’ve got to stop hiding, son. You want to be a world-class photographer, right?”
He nodded slowly.
“Then you’ve got to face people. You’ll have to talk to them, deal with them, even when it’s uncomfortable.”
“It’s not that simple,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“I know,” I said. “But you’ve got to start somewhere. I’m not asking you to love crowds. Just… try.”
Evan glanced at me, a small frown on his face. “I’ll think about it.”
I chuckled. “Fair enough. But don’t take too long to think about it, okay?”
“Okay,” he said, a faint smile tugging on his lips.
We sat there in silence after that, the sound of the fountain filling the quiet. I didn’t push him further. Sometimes, a little push was all someone needed.
“I should go check on the kids, it’s been a long day.” I suggested as I lay side by side with Alex.
Alex was having none of it, as he drew me closer into his arms. “You work too hard, anytime, the kids are around.”
I chuckled. “That is what a mother should do.”
“A mother deserves some rest too, in the arms of her husband.” He kissed my lips.
“Naughty you, let me go.” I wriggled out of embrace. “I’ll join you shortly.”
MARY’S POV.
“I should go check on the kids, it’s been a long day.” I suggested as I lay side by side with Alex.
Alex was having none of it, as he drew me closer into his arms. “You work too hard, anytime, the kids are around.”
I chuckled. “That is what a mother should do.”
“A mother deserves some rest too, in the arms of her husband.” He kissed my lips.
“Naughty you, let me go.” I wriggled out of embrace. “I’ll join you shortly.”
“I’ll be waiting, darling.” He blew a kiss to my direction.
The moment I stepped out of the room, I gave out a sigh of relief.
Without being told, I knew I was growing a strong dislike for Alex and I couldn’t help it. Seeing his face age faster than his mates was getting to me and making intimacy difficult.
I opened the door to Evan’s room and saw him sitting on the edge of his bed, gripping his camera strap tightly. He quickly hid the camera behind him.
“You’re not asleep,” I said, stepping in and closing the door.
“I was just about sleeping.,” he muttered, not looking up.
“I thought as much.” I sat beside him and watched him fidget. “Evan, what did your dad talk to you about?”
Evan shook his head and I know he was unwilling to talk.
“Even if you don’t talk, I know he was selling the photography dreams to you.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“Don’t you even think of lying to me.” I held up a hand. “Forget what your dad said about being a photographer.”
“Mom!” His eyes went wide.
“Keep your tone down when talking to me, young man, don’t forget I’m your mother. Don’t worry about all that. You don’t have to be anything right now. Just breathe and leave everything to me”
“But I …”
“Enough!” I cut him off, my voice stern. “Stop that whimpering before I shut your mouth for you. Do you hear me?”
Evan looked at me, startled, tears pooling in his eyes.
Before I could say more, the door opened. Saraya walked in, looking concerned. “What’s going on?”
I immediately pulled Evan into a hug, patting his back. “Oh, Saraya! He’s just overwhelmed, poor boy. Losing his grandfather must been so hard on him.”
Saraya came closer, her face softening. “Oh, Evan,” she said gently, crouching in front of him. “Are you okay?”
But Evan could only response with more whimpering.
“He’s just tired,” I said, guiding him to lie down. “Everything has been too much for him today. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”
Evan nodded faintly, as I me tuck the blanket around him.
“Grandpa wouldn’t want to see you upset like this,” I said softly, brushing his hair back. “He’d want you to be happy, to keep moving forward.”
Saraya leaned in and kissed his forehead. “Mom’s right. Grandpa loved seeing you smile, Evan. Don’t forget that, okay?”
“Okay,” he whispered.
“Good boy,” I said, standing up. “We should leave him to have some rest.”
As we left the room, I turned to Saraya. “You’re so good to him, thank you.” I hugged her.
She held her hands round my waist. “Come on, mom. You’re embarrassing me.”
“Come, you should get some sleep.” I led her to room. “Goodnight, child.” Holding the knob of the door.
“Goodnight mom.” She waved at me.
I shut the door to my face and let out a big sigh. “What a day.” I muttered under my breath.