Elijah’s POV
Looking at Sophia’s back as she fled into the apartment building, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the last few days pressing down on me. The wonderful, intimate, wild moments we’d shared seemed to replay in my mind, each memory a vivid flash that made my heart ache with longing.
God, how I want to be with her again, to feel the warmth of her body and see that spark in her eyes!
The thought of it made me chuckle and shake my head in disbelief. Of all the things that could happen, this unexpected reunion had to be the funniest and most unexpected twist life had thrown at me in a long time.
Just as I was about to leave, I noticed a small figure near Sophia’s apartment. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the little girl–Reese. She held a stuffed toy in her hand, and was skipping along the sidewalk.
What’s she doing here?
My curiosity piqued, and a sense of protectiveness surged within me. I got out of the car and walked
over to her.
“Hey, Reese?” I called softly as I approached. “What are you doing out here?”
She looked up at me with wide eyes, then smiled when she recognized me. “Uncle Elijah!” she exclaimed, then ran toward me and hugged my leg. She dropped the stuffed bunny she was holding as she came to me. “Play! Play!” she yelled, jumping up and down excitedly.
It made me laugh a little. I crouched down and faced Reese. “How did you get here?”
“Reese, be careful!” someone called behind her. It was a familiar–looking woman whom I knew was not her mother. I remembered seeing someone else who appeared to be her mom at the restaurant and at the park. This must be the nanny.
“Sir, I’m sorry,” she apologized before taking Reese’s hand. “We just went to the mall to buy some toys, but we’re on our way home now. Sorry for bothering you.”
The woman began pulling Reese away, but Reese refused to budge. “Come on, Reese, she urged. You know your mom is waiting for you.”
I watched them for a while, and it seemed like they didn’t have a ride. I wondered if they were going
somewhere just nearby.
“How do you plan to get home? Where are you staying?” I asked curiously. “I mean, I can give you a ride home if you need one.”
“We’ll take a cab,” the woman answered curtly. She was eyeing me warily and I had the feeling she didn’t trust me.
Just then, I felt Reese clinging to me, tugging at my pants. “Don’t want… go home,” she said, pouting.” No going home!” Then she lifted her head up to face me with those innocent wide eyes, pleading. Play with me, Uncle Elijah! Park! Go to park!”
Perhaps she remembered the time we’d played together at the park below our office building. “I’m sorry, but I need to go now and do some work,” I told her gently. “And your mom might be looking for you now. You must get home.”
For a brief, painful second, she said nothing, just stared at me as if trying to comprehend the harsh. reality of my words. Her lower lip quivered, and then, like a dam breaking, she burst into tears.
My heart clenched. Seeing her cry stirred something deep inside me, a paternal instinct I wasn’t accustomed to. I knelt down to her level, desperately searching for a way to fix what I had broken.
As her sobs became louder, I couldn’t help but notice how much she resembled Sophia–those same soulful eyes,
the delicate curve of her mouth. It was like looking at a miniature version of my ex–wife.
“Hey.
Reese,” I said softly, my voice gentle as I reached out to wipe her tears. “Do you want to come with nfe to my office?
You can see where I work, and maybe we can grab some ice cream on the way.
Her sobs quieted, replaced by hiccups and sniffles. She looked up at me, her eyes still shining with tears but now glinting with some curiosity. She nodded slowly, a small, hopeful smile forming on her lips.
“Yes!” she squealed. “Go with Uncle Elijah! Park… and work… and ice cream!” She now had a big smile on her face and was nodding vigorously.
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