Chapter Nine
1114 Words
Ava returned from the grocery store.
She stepped inside, setting the bags down in the kitchen before slipping off her slippers.
From the study, the faint sound of his voice carried through.
Ava moved around quietly, arranging the groceries, placing things where they belonged. The rhythm steadied her.
A few minutes later, the study door opened.
Ethan stepped out, sleeves rolled slightly, phone in hand.
He paused when he saw her.
“You’re back.”
“Yes.”
A brief silence settled between them.
“I’m going to see my mom tomorrow, Ava said.
“Tomorrow?” he asked.
She nodded.
“I can come with you,” he said after a moment.
Ava shook her head lightly.
“It’s okay. You’re working.”
“I can step away.”
“It’s just a short visit,” she replied gently. “Another time.”
Ethan studied her for a second, then gave a small nod.
“I have a few calls anyway,” he said. “I’ll have something prepared for her.”
Ava glanced at him.
“Thank you.”
That was enough.
“I’ll be in the study,” he added, already turning away.
The door closed again.
And just like that—
The house returned to its quiet.
***
The next day
The drive felt easier.
Like breathing without thinking about it.
By the time Ava pulled in, the gate was already open.
Her mother stood outside.
Waiting.
“My little star”
She barely made it out of the car before she was pulled into a warm embrace.
“You’ve lost weight,” her mother said, pulling back to look at her.
“I haven’t,” Ava replied, smiling softly.
“You always say that.”
“I knew it. She’s thinner.”
Ava turned, her smile widening.
“Miranda.”
Miranda Hale— her mom’s best friend stepped forward, hugging her tightly before holding her at arm’s length.
“You need rest,” she said plainly. “But you still look good.”
“I’m fine,” Ava said, laughing lightly.
Her mother took the bags from her.
“Come inside.”
The house wrapped around her the moment she stepped in.
It was warm, familiar, and safe.
A small figure sat in the living room, arranging dolls in a careful line.
The girl looked up.
Her eyes wide and curious.
Ava’s expression softened instantly.
“And who is this?”
“I’m Lily,” she said.
Ava crouched slightly.
“Hi, Lily.”
Within minutes, she was sitting beside her, helping organize what Lily insisted was a “family meeting.”
From the dining area, Miranda called out—
“Stay with her. We’ll serve the food.”
“Yes,” her mother added. “You just relax.”
Ava didn’t argue.
It felt… nice.
Lily handed her a doll.
“This one is the mommy.”
Ava took it gently.
“And this one?”
“The baby.”
Her fingers paused briefly.
Then she nodded.
“Okay.”
Lunch came soon after.
They gathered around the table.
The conversation flowed easily.
Miranda talked about the neighborhood.
“New people moved in. Too loud.”
Her mother laughed.
“You complain too much.”
“And I’m always right.”
Lily interrupted every few minutes with small, important updates about her life.
“My teacher says I talk too much.”
“You do,” Miranda replied calmly.
“I don’t!”
Ava laughed softly.
It felt normal and comforting.
Her mother turned to her.
“How is work?”
“I got promoted,” Ava said.
Pride lit up her face instantly.
“I knew it.”
She gently reached for her palm. You’ve worked so hard my little star.
Miranda nodded.
“Of course you did.”
“And Ethan?” her mother asked.
Ava paused.
“He’s fine.”
The answer came easily.
“You should think about having a child,” her mother said gently. “It’s time.”
Ava’s grip tightened slightly around her fork.
“When the time is right,” she replied.
Miranda’s gaze lingered on her for a moment.
Quiet and observant.
Lily looked up.
“I want a baby sister.”
Ava smiled faintly.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I’ll teach her everything.”
“Like what?”
“How to talk.”
Laughter filled the table.
The moment passed.
But something stayed behind.
Later
The orchard hadn’t changed.
The trees still stood where they always had, their branches stretching wide, leaves whispering softly in the afternoon breeze.
The swing was still there.
Ava walked toward it slowly, her fingers brushing the rope before she sat.
For a moment, she didn’t move.
“I used to have to drag you out of here,” her mother said, walking up behind her.
Ava smiled faintly.
“I remember.”
Her mother gently gathered her hair.
“When did you stop letting me braid it?”
Ava let out a soft breath.
“I don’t know.”
Fingers moved through her hair, familiar and careful.
“You used to cry whenever I pulled too hard,” her mother said.
“I still might,” Ava replied lightly.
They both laughed.
For a moment, everything felt simple again.
Like she was younger.
Like life hadn’t grown complicated.
Her mother finished, smoothing the last strand.
“There,” she said softly.
Ava reached up, touching it.
“Thank you.”
They sat there a little longer.
Not saying much.
Not needing to.
***
Evening
“I should go,” Ava said quietly.
Her mother walked her to the car.
“Drive safely.”
“I will.”
Miranda waved from the doorway.
“Next time, bring your husband.”
Ava smiled politely.
“Next time.”
Lily hugged her quickly.
“Bye!”
“Bye, Lily.”
As she drove away, the warmth lingered.
But so did something else.
Back in the city, Ava didn’t go home.
Instead, she turned into a familiar street.
The bell chimed softly as she stepped into her favorite cake shop.
“You’re back,” one of the staff said.
“Of course.”
“The usual?”
She nodded.
Moments later, Ava sat by the window, a slice of cake in front of her.
She took a slow bite.
Sweet.
Soft.
She didn’t rush it.
Her thoughts drifted.
The warmth of home.
Her mother’s hands in her hair.
Lily’s small voice.
The question at the table.
Ethan.
The silence between them.
Ava took another slow bite.
Outside, the world moved forward.
Unbothered.
Inside—
Her thoughts lingered.
And somewhere beneath it all…
Something waited.
- Writer
