Nicholas’s POV
When the light turned green, I continued on my way cautiously, promising myself to pay more attention, both on the road and in my life. Charlie deserved a good experience and I would do my best to keep it that way.
I followed his gaze, looking to see what had caught his attention. He pointed to a small flower shop on the corner, with a pastel–colored sign and a display case full of fresh flowers,
“Daddy, let’s buy some flowers for Mommy Sabrina, okay? Charlie exclaimed excitedly.
I paused, a little surprised by his request. Buying flowers for Sabrina was something I had never thought of before. But seeing Charlie’s enthusiastic smile, I couldn’t refuse.
“Okay, honey. Let’s buy some flowers first,” I replied, trying to smile even though my heart was still heavy.
We parked in front of the store and went inside. The scent of fresh flowers immediately greeted me, bringing a little sense of calm to my chaotic thoughts. Inside the store, various colorful flowers were neatly lined up, creating a cheerful and calming atmosphere. However, I felt confused, not knowing what flowers Sabrina actually liked.
I examined each type of flower carefully. Roses, lilies, and sunflowers all looked beautiful, but none of them felt right. Thoughts of what would make Sabrina happy kept spinning in my head.
Charlie seemed enthusiastic, walking around and pointing at flowers that caught his eye. Seeing him so excited gave me a little strength. He was a reminder that these small moments could have a big impact, even if I felt
unsure.
“Charlie,” I called softly as I crouched down beside him. “Do you know what Mommy Sabrina likes?”
Charlie nodded quickly, then jogged to one corner of the store. He pointed to a bunch of yellow lilies neatly arranged in a glass vase. “Here, Daddy. Mommy Sabrina likes these flowers. She told me once.”
I stared at the flowers, stunned. Yellow lilies. I didn’t even know about them. Guilt hit me again. How could I not know my own wife’s favorite flowers? Charlie, who was still a child, knew such a small detail.
The feeling deepened as I thought about all the moments that had passed. How often I had gotten caught up in the routine and everyday problems, forgetting the little things that meant the world to my loved ones. This should have been my main concern–knowing what made Sabrina happy.
Charlie, with his sincerity and innocence, had shown me how important it was to care about the little things. He remembered the yellow lilies, while I was caught up in uncertainty and conflict. Now, in the quiet of the flower shop, I felt the value of those little details.
I was determined to right this wrong. These flowers weren’t just a gift; they were a symbol of my commitment to pay more attention to Sabrina and what she liked. As I picked up the yellow lilies and placed them in the basket, I felt a little more at ease.
Maybe this was the first step in showing that I cared, that I wanted to be more involved in her life and no longer ignore what was important to her. With Charlie by my side, felt motivated to not only bring these flowers but also to reconnect with the connection that had been lost.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I couldn’t keep beating myself up. Sabrina needed support right now, not my guilt. With renewed determination, I picked up the bunch of yellow lilies and carried them to the register.
Each step toward the register felt lighter. As the guilt faded, I began to feel hope. These flowers weren’t just a gift;
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+25 BONUS
they were a symbol of my intention to be there for Sabrina, to support her through this difficult time.
As the cashier processed my purchase, I glanced over at Charlie as he played with his robot doll. The Joy on his face reminded me that even though this was difficult, there was joy to be found in the small moments.
These flowers would be a bridge to reconnect me with Sabrina. I resolved to not only give these flowers but to communicate better and show a deeper sense of caring.
“Charlie, what are you going to tell Mom Sabrina later?” asked as I handed the money to the shopkeeper. Charlie smiled broadly. “I wanted to say that I love Mommy Sabrina. She must be happy, right, Daddy?”
I nodded, even though my throat felt dry. “Of course. Mommy Sabrina must be happy.”
We got back into the car, with the flowers In Charlie’s lap. peeked at him through the rearview mirror again, seeing the small smile on his face. I felt a little relieved to see Charlie happy. At least, there was something right amidst all this chaos.
As I continued on my journey, my mind was still spinning. Buying flowers might be a small step, but I knew this wasn’t just about the flowers. This was about making things right, starting with the simplest things. I had to be more sensitive and more present. Not just for Charlie, but for Sabrina too.
In the backseat, Charlie held the yellow lilies carefully. “Daddy,” he called.
“Yes, honey?”
“Mommy Sabrina will get better, right?”
His question made my heart clench. I couldn’t answer for sure, but I tried to smile. “We’ll make sure Mommy Sabrina gets better, son. Daddy promised.”
Charlie nodded slightly, then looked back at the flowers in his hand. And I, though still haunted by various worries, felt a little more confident that I could get through this. For them. For our family.
We arrived at the hospital as the sun began to tilt to the west, its warm rays filtering through the car windows. Charlie couldn’t hide his excitement. Since we left the flower shop, he had been rambling on about how excited he was to meet Mommy Sabrina. His enthusiasm was infectious, even though I didn’t know how to deal with this meeting
