When We Met Again Our Son Was Five Chapter 09
I looked at him, and something surged inside me, rising from my chest to my throat, then up into my eyes.
“I’m not giving you up.”
My voice was quiet, but in that silent hospital room, everyone heard it.
The corner of Tristan’s mouth lifted slightly.
He turned to face Clarissa and Lawrence.
“You heard her. She said she’s not giving me up.
“If you want to yell at someone, yell at me.”
He reached out and took my hand, lacing his fingers tightly through mine.
“Don’t go looking for her again. Whatever she owed you, she has already paid back over these past five years.”
Clarissa’s lips trembled as tears rolled down her face.
Josephine lay on the bed, crying silently. Her lips shook, but she couldn’t get a single word out.
“Focus on recovering,” Tristan said. “When you’re better, go find someone who truly likes you. Stop wasting your time on me.”
He held my hand and turned to walk out.
After we left the hospital, Tristan didn’t take me home. Instead, he drove to the entrance of the art school.
I froze for a second.
“Why did you bring me here?”
He turned off the engine, looked sideways at me, and tapped his fingers twice against the steering wheel.
“Didn’t you want to apply to art school back then?
“I checked. The art school has continuing education classes. You don’t need to take the SATs. Just submit a portfolio. I already signed you up, and classes start next month.”
I looked at him, and my throat tightened.
I lowered my head and gripped the seat belt.
“I haven’t drawn in five years. My hand has gone rusty.”
“Then practice until it comes back. When you used to draw, you could sit there for an entire day without moving. I put earthworms in your water cup, and you didn’t even notice.”
“That was you?”
“Yeah.”
“Tristan, what is wrong with you?”
The corner of Tristan’s mouth curved.
“From now on, all you have to do is focus on school. I’ll take care of Lucas.”
Over the days that followed, he actually did exactly what he promised.
He handled all of Lucas’ school drop-offs and pickups, and he cooked the meals, too.
At first, he only knew how to make three dishes, and Lucas complained twice. Later, Lucas stopped complaining because Tristan learned a fourth dish — honey-glazed ribs.
“Mister, can you make ribs every day from now on?”
“Call me Dad, and I’ll make them.”
“Dad.”
“Good. I’ll make them tomorrow.”
Lucas rolled his eyes, but the tips of his ears turned red.
Tristan wasn’t much better. The smile on his face stayed there the entire day.
During a video meeting, even the people on the other side asked him, “Mr. Caldwell, are you in an especially good mood today?”
“Yeah, my son called me Dad.”
That night, after Lucas fell asleep, Tristan stood out on the balcony for a long time.
I walked over, and he suddenly took a small box out of his pocket.
He opened it. The diamond ring inside was so ridiculously big that it glittered in the night like a star.
I stared at the ring and went silent for a moment.
“Tristan, isn’t this a little too big?”
He got down on one knee and held up the ring, his damp eyes watching me nervously.
“Vanessa Keller, marry me.
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
My eyes welled up with tears.
He stayed on the ground, holding up the ring. He didn’t rush me. He just looked at me.
I took a deep breath and held out my hand, my fingers still trembling.
“Put it on me.”
He froze for a second, then lowered his head and carefully slid the ring onto my ring finger.
He took off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me, coat and all, into his arms.
His chest was warm, and his heart was beating fast, thudding against my ear repeatedly.
Lucas’ footsteps came from the living room.
“Mom? Where are you?”
“On the balcony.”
“Where’s Dad?”
“He’s on the balcony, too.”
Lucas pushed open the balcony door and rubbed his eyes. When he saw us holding each other, he froze for a second.
“What are you doing?”
“Your dad is proposing,” I said.
“Is he done proposing?”
“He’s done.”
“Did you say yes?”
“I did.”
Tristan bent down and picked him up.
Tristan held Lucas with one arm and held my hand with the other, and the three of us stood together on the balcony.
The stars were still overhead, one after another, as if someone was watching over us.
