The stroll
Chapter 57: The stroll
Kayla's pov
As we ate breakfast, one of my children asked, "Mom where's dad." Jojo asked. I paused for a moment, trying to think of how to answer. "Your dad is busy today," I said. "He had some work to do." The children looked a little disappointed, but they understood. I knew that Louis would make up for it when he had the chance. For now, we would enjoy our breakfast and the time we had together.
As I looked up from my breakfast, I noticed that Lily's eyes were red and puffy, with dark circles underneath. She looked exhausted, like she hadn't slept a wink all night. "Lily, are you feeling okay?" I asked, concern filling my voice. She gave me a weak smile, and said, "I'm fine, just a little tired. I didn't sleep very well last night." I frowned, worried about her health. "Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked, wanting to do whatever I could to make her feel better.
As I looked at Lily, I saw the tears forming in her eyes. She looked at me and said, "Yesterday was the anniversary of my husband's death. I know it's been years, but I still miss him so much." Her voice cracked, and she looked like she was fighting back tears. I reached out and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "It's okay to miss him, and to feel sad," I said. "You don't have to hide your feelings from me, or from the children." She looked at me, her eyes full of gratitude and relief.
I took a deep breath, not sure what to say next. I knew that she felt completely lonely, Louis was always busy with work or pack affairs and he doesn't even have time for himself, I wanted to offer whatever comfort I could. But I also knew that she needed time to grieve, to process her feelings in her own way. I decided to change the subject, hoping to lighten the mood. "What are your plans for the rest of the day?" I asked, keeping my voice light and casual. She took a moment to compose herself, and then she said, "Nothing"
We finished our breakfast, and I noticed that Lily seemed more relaxed, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She looked at me and said, "Would you like to go for a walk?" I smiled and said, "I would love to." I could tell that she needed a little time to herself, to process her thoughts and feelings. We put on our coats and boots, and headed out the door. The air was crisp and cool, and the sun was shining brightly.
As we walked, we passed by a field that was full of flowers, their colors bright and vibrant against the green of the grass. I noticed that Lily stopped to take in the beauty of the scene, and I knew that it was doing her some good to be surrounded by nature. We continued on, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the peace and quiet. It was as if the world had slowed down, and we were able to fully appreciate the moment. We were walking slowly, in no hurry to get anywhere.
As we rounded a corner, we came upon a small stream, its waters babbling and gurgling. We stopped to watch the water, mesmerized by its soothing sound. A small, fluffy white cloud drifted across the sky, and we both looked up to watch it drift away. It felt as if we were in a dream, where time had slowed and everything was perfect. I looked over at Lily, and saw a small smile playing on her lips. She seemed so much more relaxed, and I knew that the walk was doing her good.
As we continued walking, Lily began to talk about Louis's childhood, sharing stories about the silly things he had done as a child. She told me about how he used to dress up as a pirate, with an eye patch and a plastic sword. He would make her "walk the plank" if she didn't give him a treat. I laughed out loud, imagining Louis as a small, mischievous pirate. "He was always getting into mischief," she said, laughing along with me. "But he was always a sweet, loving boy."
She told me about how Louis used to bring her flowers, picked from the garden. He would give them to her with a shy smile, his eyes sparkling with joy. She would put them in a vase on the windowsill, and they would brighten the room with their vibrant colors. "He was always such a thoughtful boy," she said, fondly remembering those moments.
Lily looked at me with compassion in her eyes, and said, "I know how much it hurts to be left behind. Louis made a mistake when he left you after the one night stand and he didn't even know what you became pregnant but he knows that now. But he wants to make it up to you, to show you how much he loves you. Can you find it in your heart to forgive him?" I was silent for a moment, thinking about her words. I knew she was right, and that it was time to let go of the past and move on. But it was still so hard to do.
Lily looked at me with a knowing smile, and said, "You're a good actor, but you can't fool me. I know that you're only here for the children, and that everything else is just a facade. But I also know that there's a part of you that still loves Louis, even after everything that's happened. Why don't you give him a chance to show you how much he's changed?" I looked at her, not knowing what to say. I knew she was right, but I was still afraid to let my guard down.