Baldwin's mansion
As Blaze stepped through the grand entrance of his mansion, the familiar scent of pine hit him first, mingled with a hint of cinnamon. It was strange; He had expected silence, a stillness that matched the heaviness in his heart. Instead, he found himself frozen in the doorway, disbelief flooding his senses.
There she was, the woman he adored ever since the first day Savannnah, kneeling before the Christmas tree. It was a breathtaking sight-decorations sparkling in the soft glow of twinkling lights, the tree itself lush and vibrant. But what struck him most was her expression: a mixture of focus and joy, a rare lightness that had seemed lost for so long.
Just a day ago, they had spoken about the Christmas, and her eyes had filled with sorrow as she spoke of the emptiness that echoed in her heart after losing her child. He had respected her wishes, understood her pain, and agreed to forgo the celebrations. Yet here she was, carefully placing an ornament, her fingers brushing over its surface as if tracing a memory.
"Surprise," she said softly, glancing back at Blaze with a smile that melted the ice in his chest. His mind raced. He had thought she was too far gone, too engulfed in grief to embrace even the smallest flicker of joy. But there she was, breathing life back into a tradition that had felt abandoned.
"Why?" Blaze managed to ask, stepping closer, his heart swelling with a mix of hope and confusion. "You said... you didn't want to celebrate."
She turned to him, her gaze steady and warm. "I thought I couldn't. But I realized that this isn't just about loss. It's also about love and memories. I want to remember him, not just mourn him."
As he stepped closer, the familiar ache in his chest began to shift. he knelt beside her, feeling the warmth radiate from the tree, from her. "You're decorating... for him?"
She nodded, brushing her fingers over a delicate ornament, a small angel that sparkled even in the dim light. "I thought it would help. I want to celebrate the love we had, not just the loss."
Her words settled around them like the soft glow of the lights, drawn to her strength and vulnerability. "You're incredible," I whispered, reaching out to touch her shoulder and for a moment, the weight of grief felt lighter.
Blaze's heart swelled with a mixture of admiration and gratitude. This was brave; this was healing. He could see the flicker of her spirit returning, and it ignited something within him, too. "Can I help?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Of course," she said, her smile brightening the room. "I'd love for you to join me."
Arthur, Blaze's secretary was watching all these with a little hint of happiness for his Boss, as he had never seen him doing all these for all these years. Let alone be this happy about Christmas? Never.
Blaze and Savannnah together, they began to hang ornaments, each one a story, a memory. The laughter of shared moments mingled with the sadness, creating a tapestry of love and loss. He felt a bond growing stronger, a bridge being built between them and he hoped for more good to come. In the future she could embrace him too.
In that moment, surrounded by the twinkling lights and the scent of pine, the weight of the past felt a little lighter on Savannah. They were not just honoring her child; they were nurturing their own love, finding a way to celebrate life amidst the pain.
As they worked side by side, the warmth of her presence wrapped around Blaze, and he realized that in her courage to celebrate, she was teaching him the true meaning of resilience. And together maybe, they could find joy again.
Patio
Savannah's POV
Sitting on the patio, surrounded by a riot of colors and the intoxicating scents of blooming flowers, I felt a rare moment of calm wash over me. The moon dipped into the clouds, casting a warm glow on the petals that danced in the gentle breeze. It was a tranquil scene, yet my heart felt heavy with thoughts I hadn't quite sorted out.
As I absentmindedly brushed my fingers over a cluster of vibrant daisies, I heard the footsteps approaching. Blaze settled into the chair across from me, a concerned expression etched on his face. I knew he could sense that something was brewing inside me, something I hadn't yet put into words.
"Hey," he said softly. "You've been quiet. Everything okay?" he continued "You were cheerful earlier decorating the Christmas tree."
Of cource decorating that tree gave me another reason to remember Theo with joy but now I hesitated, the weight of the listening device resting on the table between us, an object of both mystery and comfort. "It's... complicated," I began, looking down at my hands. "You gave me that device, and at first, I didn't know how to feel about it."
He leaned in closer, his brow furrowing with curiosity. "What do you mean?"
I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Hearing my child's voice... it was unexpected. At first, I thought it would just make me sadder, but it's more than that. It felt like he was still here, talking to me. I didn't even know how much I needed that."
His expression softened, and I could see the compassion in his eyes. "I wanted to give you a way to connect now that you most needed, even if it was just for a moment. I thought it might help."
"It did," I admitted, my voice thick with emotion. "But there's also this confusion. I didn't know I could feel so much comfort from it. It's like he reassures me, telling me it's okay to keep living, to keep loving. But it also hurts, knowing he's gone."
He just stared at me without saying anything and then, "It's okay to feel both. Grief isn't a straight path; it's messy and intertwined with love and loss. It's all part of the journey."
I looked at him, grateful for his understanding. "I guess I didn't realize how much I needed that reassurance until I heard his voice. It was like he was saying, 'Mom, I'm still here with you in spirit.' But part of me feels guilty for feeling happy about it."
"Don't," he urged gently. "It doesn't diminish your love for him. It shows how strong that love is, that it can transcend even loss. You're allowed to find solace in his memory."
The flowers swayed in the night breeze, and I took a moment to absorb his words. "I want to honor him, but I also want to embrace life again. I want to feel joy without feeling like I'm forgetting him."
"You can do both," he said, his hand interwined with each other on the table "Each time you remember him, you carry that love forward. It doesn't fade; it evolves. You're learning how to weave his memory into your life, and that's beautiful."
I felt a sense of peace settle within me. I squeezed my hands in my lap, grateful for his esence. "Thank you for understanding. For giving me this device... and for being here with me."
He smiled softly. "Always. You're not alone in this. I'll navigate it to you."
I nodded, "When did he gave this to you?" I questioned beacuse this confuses me, as far as I know they never got along with each other, more like it was Theo, he didnt wanted to associate with him but at the same time he was generous towards him to give us place to live in this huge mansion, without asking for anything in return, so I thought how and when did this happened? "Few months ago, he gave it to me. He asked me to make sure you had it."
He narrated "We talked one afternoon. He was so full of life, so wise beyond his years. He told me he wanted you to have a way to hear his voice, to remember him." he paused looking behind me at the flowers "I did not understand what he meant by that, so I didn't took it immediately" he heaved a sigh before finally looking at me "But then again he insisted that I should take it, So I just took it and gave this to you, securely just as he wanted" I didnt cry but I smiled a little at him "It's like he knew everything that's going to happen" Blaze said "He is smarter, it might not be related to this but he wanted me to have this because he knew at some moment of life I would need this encouragement" I knew my boy, he had done this various ways to comfort me, always and I was always so greatful for my child, he was truly an angel baby, My Theo.
"I can't imagine how hard that must be," Blaze said, his thumb gently rubbing circles over the table "But I'm here for you. Whatever you need."
I looked into his eyes, grateful for his unwavering support. "I know. You've been incredible. But it's still hard to find my footing. Some days feel like I'm just floating through."
His gaze softened, and I could see the understanding reflected there. "Grief doesn't follow a straight path. It ebbs and flows. You're allowed to have those moments."
I let out a small laugh, a bittersweet sound. "You've read all the books, haven't you?"
"Maybe a few," he admitted, a hint of a smile breaking through. "But honestly, just watching you has taught me more than any book ever could."
Author's POV
When the clock struck twelve, Savannnah turned to Blaze, her heart swelling with a mixture of sorrow and gratitude. "Merry Christmas." She whispered, her voice barely above a breath. It was a wish wrapped in layers of remembrance, of healing, of the love they had forged in the aftermath of heartbreak.
He smiled softly, understanding the depth of her words. "Merry Christmas," he replied, his voice steady and warm. In that moment, amidst the shadows of the past, there was a flicker of new beginnings, a reminder that love could coexist with loss.
In his eyes, she saw a promise-a wish for brighter tomorrows, even when the weight of yesterday was still fresh. He stood with her, enveloped in the warmth they shared sorrow and joy, knowing that in this moment, she is not alone.
"Meet you in the morning, be ready" Savannnah said as she got up and left the patio, leaving Blaze dumbfounded, but hoping he understood, one last glance at him and she was dispersed into the distance.
Author's Note:
Happy reading as happy days are here <3
Enjoying? Then add it to your libraries<3
Have s good day/night <3<3