Chapter 606

Chapter 606

On the first day of school, all three of them were up early.

Louisa made Nate his favorite breakfast .

Fried eggs. Sausage. A glass of milk. And a smiley face made entirely of fruit.

"Momy, it's so pretty!"

Nate's eyes lit up as he stared at the plate.

"Eat up if you like it."

Louisa smiled and ruffled his hair.

Nate noded and dug in, both hands working, cheks full.

Julian sat beside them, watching mother and son with soft, quiet eyes.

He picked up his phone and took a picture.

In the shot, Nate had food smeared all over his face. Louisa was laughing, dabing his mouth clean.

Sunlight fell across them both — warm and golden.

After breakfast, Nate put on his new outfit and hoisted his brand-new backpack onto his shoulders. He looked like a little man.

"Mommy, I walk by myself!"

He pushed her hand away, his expression dead serious.

"Alright. Our Nate's a big boy now."

Louisa smiled and let go.

Nate puffed out his chest and marched forward, chin up.

But after just a few steps, he sneaked a glance back at Louisa and Julian.

Only when he saw them still there did he turn around and keep walking.

The preschool entrance was busy. Parents everywhere, dropping off their kids.

Crying, laughing, fussing — all of it tangled together in the morning air.

One little boy had both arms locked around his mother's leg, sobing like his heart was breaking. A little girl gripped her dad's hand and refused to budge an inch.

Nate watched them, his small brow furrowed.

"Mommy, why are they crying?"

"Because they don't want to leave their mommies and daddies," Louisa said with a smile.

"I won't cry."

Nate puffed his chest out. "I'm a big boy!"

"That's right," Julian said, ruffling his hair. "Our Nate is a big boy."

Nate gave a firm nod. Then he turned and marched straight through the preschool doors.

He made it about three steps before he ran back.

"Mommy, hug."

He spread his little arms wide.

Louisa crouched down and pulled him close.

"Daddy, hug too."

Nate turned to Julian.

Julian crouched down and held him tight.

"Okay! I'm going now!"

Nate kissed them both, turned on his heel, and walked back through those doors.

This time, he didn't look back.

Louisa and Julian stood at the entrance, watching his small figure until it disappeared from sight.

"He's growing up."

Louisa's eyes went red at the corners.

"Yeah." Julian slipped his arm around her shoulders, his voice gentle. "Don't be sad. We'll come pick him up tonight."

"I know." She leaned into him. "I just... miss him already."

"Me too." Julian smiled softly. "But kids have to grow up."

Louisa nodded and said nothing.

She knew he was right.

Kids had to grow up.

She couldn't keep him tucked under her wing forever.

She had to learn to let go.

---

Without Nate, the house felt too quiet.

Louisa sat on the couch, glancing at her phone every few minutes.

"Julian — do you think Nate's crying at school?"

She couldn't help asking.

"No way." Julian smiled. "Our son? He's too brave for that."

"But what if—"

"No 'what ifs.'" He took her hand, his tone soft. "The teachers will take good care of him. And we set up the camera, remember? You can check anytime."

Louisa nodded and opened her phone, pulling up the security feed.

On the screen, Nate was building blocks with a group of kids. Big grin on his face. Not a trace of homesickness.

Watching him, Louisa felt two things at once — relief and a quietache.

Relief, because he was doing just fine.

An ache, because he clearly wasn't missing her at all.

"Look how happy he is," Julian said.

"Yeah." Louisa noded. Her eyes went red again.

"Hey What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She wiped her eyes and managed a smile. "I just feel like... he's growing up. Like he doesn't need me anymore."

"Silly girl." Julian pulled her close. "He'll always need you."

---

That evening, Louisa and Julian arrived at the preschool early.

They didn't have to wait long. Nate came bounding out through the doors, backpack bouncing, face wide open with joy.

"Mommy! Daddy!"

He shouted and launched himself straight into Louisa's arms.

"Did you have fun today?" she asked, holding him tight.

"So much fun!" His eyes were shining. "I made a ton of new friends! And my teacher gave me a compliment!"

"She did? What for?"

"Because I fed myself, and I took a nap by myself, and I picked up toys for another kid!"

Nate announced this with obvious pride.

"That's our boy." Julian reached over and pinched his cheek.

"Obviously!" Nate puffed his chest out, beaming.

The three of them walked home together, laughing.

Behind them, the setting sun stretched their shadows long across the sidewalk.

---

Time moves fast when you're not watching.

In what felt like no time at all, Louisa and Julian had been married for five years.

Five years of everything.

Storms and sunlight. Hardship and joy.

But no matter what came at them, they'd held on — hands clasped, moving forward together.

On their fifth anniversary, Julian had surprise waiting.

"Louisa, close your eyes."

He covered them gently with his hands, his voice low and warm.

"What are you doing? You're being so mysterious."

She laughed and closed her eyes.

"Come with me."

He took her hand and guided her forward, step by step.

After a moment, he stopped.

"Okay." He lifted his hands and leaned in close to her ear. "Open them."

Louisa opened her eyes.

She froze.

They were standing in a garden.

White roses — everywhere. Her favorite. Hundreds of them, thousands glowing in the sunlight.

At the center of the garden, a massive heart had been laid out in rose petals.

And in the middle of that heart, a single line:

Louisa — Happy5th Anniversary. I love you.