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Sabrina’s POV
With Charlie in our midst, I knew that this togetherness was a small step towards recovery–both physical and emotional–for all of us.
Charlie eagerly opened his bag of chips and then fed me. “Mommy, open your mouth!” he said, as if I had no other
choice.
I followed his instructions and pretended to chew excessively, making Charlie burst out laughing. His laughter filled the room, making everything feel much lighter.
Nicholas finally smiled a little, seeing Charlie’s cheerfulness and my excessive behavior. The moment seemed to melt the tense atmosphere that had been there, and I felt the weight on my chest lighten a little.
“Charlie, you have to eat by yourself too, you know. Not all of it for Mom.”
“Dad wants some too?” Charlie asked with sparkling eyes.
Nicholas nodded. “If Charlie gives it to me, Dad will.”
Charlie took another chip and handed it to Nicholas. “But Dad has to say ‘Aaaa‘ first,” he said seriously.
I couldn’t help but laugh as Nicholas complied. For the first time in a long time, I felt like our family was truly whole, even if only for this brief moment.
A warm and cheerful atmosphere filled the room, bringing back fond memories that had been forgotten. Charlie’s cheerfulness, Nicholas’s openness, and me’s simple joy–all of these created precious moments that would be etched in our memories.
Our laughter flowed freely, creating a stronger bond between us. It felt like all the sadness and tension that had once existed disappeared, replaced by happiness and mutual support.
In this togetherness, I found hope and warmth. Though challenges still lay ahead, these moments showed that love and laughter could be healing medicines. With Charlie in our midst, the world felt brighter and full of possibilities.
After a few minutes of laughter, Charlie began to yawn, a sign that he was tired. I patted the spot next to me on the bed. “Come here, Charlie. You can sleep here with Mommy for a while.”
Charlie climbed into bed and hugged me tightly. “I like it here,” he whispered before his eyes slowly closed.
I stared at him, feeling so much love. His little body felt waim in my arms, and I felt my will to fight this disease grow stronger. In his arms, I found a deep desire to get better–not just for myself, but for little Charlie who needed me.
Every beat of his heart seemed to remind me of the responsibility and love that existed between us. I wanted to see his smile again, hear his laugh, and share more precious moments with him.
Charlie was the light of my life, and I would not let the darkness defeat us. In the warmth of that embrace, I felt a new hope rise, burning with passion for a better future.
When I turned, I saw Nicholas still sitting in the chair, watching us. There was a gentle expression on his face that I had never seen before. He seemed like he wanted to say something, but he just kept quiet, his eyes filled with something that was hard to interpret.
His presence there brought a deep sense of calm. In the silence, I felt a change in him–something that had probably been buried for a long time. This moment, as it were, became a bridge between us, connecting all the
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+25 BONUS
unspoken emotions.)
Nicholas seemed more open as if he realized how important this moment was to the three of us. In his gaze, there was a strong sense of affection and understanding, and for the first time, I felt hope that we could mend what had once broken between us.
“Nicholas,” I called softly, afraid to wake Charlie.
He turned, his face a little surprised that I had called him.es?”
“Thank you,” I said sincerely.
He frowned. “For what?”
I shrugged slightly, trying to hold back my tears. “To bring Charlie here. To let me have some time with him.”
Nicholas was silent for a moment as if contemplating my words. The expression on his face changed, and I could feel the shift in our moods.
In one simple sentence, I hoped to convey how much his presence and his small gesture meant. In this moment, we shared a profound understanding–that love and attention, no matter how small, can make all the difference.
Nicholas just nodded. “He needs you,” he said simply.
knew it was still hard for him to open up fully, but it was enough for me at the moment. I looked down at Charlie, sound asleep in my arms, and then closed my own eyes. For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace.
Charlie squirmed in my arms as Nicholas stood up from his chair, glancing at his watch. It was late afternoon, and I knew he had to take him home. I looked at Nicholas with a heavy heart, then down at Charlie, still sound asleep. in my arms. It didn’t feel like enough time to spend the day with her, but I also knew he needed to get home and rest for school the next day.
The moments we shared felt precious, and I wanted to savor them for more. But responsibility came first. I gently stroked Charlie’s hair, feeling the warmth and calm he brought.
Nicholas leaned in closer, a knowing expression on his face. I knew he felt the same way–a desire to extend this time, even though we knew we would have to part ways.
“Charlie,” Nicholas called softly, trying to wake him.
Charlie snuggled closer into my arms, his face peaceful. “Mommy,” he murmured sleepily. “I want to sleep here.”
Nicholas took a deep breath, clearly not wanting to upset him, but I knew that wasn’t an option. “Charlie, we have to go home,” he said softly. “You have school tomorrow.”
At those words, Charlie opened his eyes slowly. He looked at me with hopeful eyes. “Can I stay here, Mommy? 1 want to be here with you.”
