Chapter 10 - The New Morning
Friday morning arrived under a blazing, golden sunrise.
A luxurious, specialized private ambulance pulled up to the main entrance of the Greenwich estate, accompanied by a single, discreet black security sedan.
Nia stood on the stone porch, wrapped in her green wool coat, wearing the gold star pendant around her neck. Beside her stood Adrian, dressed in a sleek navy suit, holding her suitcase.
All four boys stood on the porch behind them, bundled up in heavy winter coats, gloves, and scarves.
"You're coming back after the surgery, right, Miss Nia?" Caleb asked loudly, clutching his wooden model bridge under his arm.
"I will be back on Sunday evening, Caleb," Nia promised, smiling at him. "And I expect that bridge to be completely finished when I get back."
"It will be!" Caleb declared proudly. "It’s gonna hold fifty pounds!"
"And we're going to the museum on Saturday next week?" Noah asked, clutching his sketchbook.
"Next Saturday," Adrian answered for her, reaching out to pat Noah’s head gently. "I’ve already reserved the private gallery tours."
Noah cheered, running to show Luke the museum brochure he had tucked into his pocket.
Luke walked up to Nia, holding his plush bear up toward her. "Take Teddy with you. So Maya isn't scared in the hospital."
Nia’s eyes welled with emotion as she dropped to one knee, looking into the small boy’s bright, happy face. She took the bear gently into her hands. "Thank you, Luke. I will make sure Maya holds him during the operation."
She stood up and looked at Evan, who was standing beside his father.
Evan walked forward, looked at his boots for a second, then looked up at her with complete, open trust. "Thank you for not leaving us, Nia."
"I told you, Evan," Nia said softly, reaching out to brush his hair from his forehead. "I don't run away."
The driver opened the rear door of the private transport vehicle.
Adrian walked Nia down the stone steps toward the car. He set her suitcase in the trunk, then turned to face her under the morning light.
He didn't offer a formal handshake. He didn't offer a professional farewell.
Adrian reached out, took her face in his large, warm hands, and pulled her smoothly into a deep, lingering kiss right there in the driveway, under the morning sun, in full view of his security team and his four sons.
Nia melted into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck, feeling the absolute strength, protection, and devotion of the man who had surrendered his heart back to the world.
From the porch, Caleb let out a loud "Eww!", while Evan grinned and shook his head, and Luke laughed happily.
When Adrian finally pulled back, his dark eyes were shining with a brilliant, fierce light.
"Call me when the surgery begins," Adrian commanded softly, his thumbs stroking her cheekbones. "Christopher will be driving you. My private security team will remain outside Maya’s hospital room until she is discharged."
"Thank you, Adrian," Nia whispered, her heart full, complete, and anchored.
"Go save your sister, Nia," Adrian said softly, opening the car door for her. "We will be waiting for you right here when you come home."
Nia stepped into the vehicle, watching through the tinted window as the black car pulled down the long cobblestone driveway.
May you like
She looked back through the rear glass.
Standing on the high stone porch of the grand Greenwich estate were four young boys and their father, standing side by side in the morning light—no longer angry, no longer broken, and no longer alone.
