Chapter 7 - The Garden of Rebirth
The formal gardens of Sterling Manor were a masterwork of manicured hedges, marble fountains, and stone pathways that wound toward the cliffside overlooking the ocean.
Leo sat on a stone bench near the rose bushes, holding a wooden toy sailboat that Eleanor had bought for him in New York. His tuxedo was gone, replaced by a soft blue cotton sweater and comfortable trousers. Though his small eyes still carried the faint shadow of the previous night's trauma, his breathing was calm, his tears replaced by the gentle curiosity of childhood.
"Leo," Eleanor called softly as she walked down the stone steps.
The little boy turned, his face lighting up with a radiant smile. "Mommy!"
He scrambled off the bench and ran toward her, his small arms reaching out. Eleanor dropped to her knees on the grass, catching him in a tight, warm hug, burying her face in his soft dark hair.
"How are you feeling, sweetie?" she asked, pulling back to look at his face.
"I'm okay," Leo whispered, holding up the wooden boat. "Look, Mommy! It floats in the fountain!"
"It's a wonderful boat, Leo," Eleanor smiled, gently touching his cheek.
Leo looked toward the main house, his small brow furrowing slightly. "Is... is Grandma coming back?"
Eleanor took his small hands in hers, looking directly into his clear dark eyes. "No, Leo. Grandma is gone. Your father is gone too. This house belongs to you and me now. Nobody will ever scream at you here. Nobody will ever make you eat off the floor."
May you like
Leo processed her words, a long, quiet breath escaping his chest. "Can we paint the dining room blue? I don't like the white stone."
Eleanor laughed—a genuine, warm sound that echoed through the garden for the first time in years. "We can paint it blue, yellow, or green. We can tear down the walls if you want. This is your home now."
