Chapter 9 - The Garden of Beginnings
Saturday afternoon at the Hale estate looked like a painting from a nineteenth-century English countryside.
The autumn leaves had turned brilliant shades of amber, crimson, and gold, drifting lazily down onto the emerald lawns and the stone pathways of the east courtyard.
Down by the grand koi pond, Oliver crouched on the stone ledge, holding a small paper bag filled with fish food.
"Here, big guy," Oliver whispered, tossing a handful of pellets into the water.
Dozens of vibrant orange and white koi fish broke the surface of the pond, splashing water and creating ripples that shimmered in the afternoon sunlight.
A few feet away, Emma stood leaning against a stone balustrade, watching him with a soft, protective smile.
Preston walked up behind her, carrying a folded wool blanket over his arm. He draped it gently around her shoulders, pulling her back against his chest as he looked down at their son.
"He hasn't stopped talking since Tuesday," Preston noted, a quiet sense of wonder in his voice. "Yesterday he told Mrs. Gable that her apple pie was better than the ones at school. The poor woman almost cried."
Emma leaned back against him, resting her head against his shoulder. "Healing isn't a straight line, Preston. But he's safe now. He knows he's safe."
"Because of you," Preston said firmly, turning her in his arms so she was facing him. He looked down into her dark, beautiful eyes. "You brought him back to me, Emma. You brought us back to life."
Oliver looked up from the pond, spotting them standing together by the rose arbor.
"Dad! Emma! Look!" the boy called out, pointing excitedly at a particularly large golden koi breaking the surface. "That one’s the king!"
Preston smiled—a real, open, unburdened smile that nobody outside of this estate ever got to see.
"Coming, buddy!" Preston called back.
May you like
He looked down at Emma once more, his hand sliding down to interlock his fingers securely with hers, the heavy platinum ring pressing against her skin.
"Come on, Mrs. Hale," Preston said, a dangerous, happy glint in his blue eyes. "Let's go see the king."
