Chapter 65: A Place to Stay
The sun had already begun to dip below the horizon, casting a soft, amber light over the garden where Eva and Seraphina sat. The air was cool, a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves above them, but Eva remained curled in Seraphina's lap, warm and content, her tiny body a picture of peace. For a while, the world seemed to stand still, as if all that mattered was the quiet hum of Seraphina's steady breathing and the gentle rise and fall of Eva's chest against her.
It wasn't until the soft sounds of the garden—the chirping of distant birds and the rustle of leaves—began to blur into a gentle lullaby that Eva stirred, her small hands tightening around Seraphina's arm. Her lashes fluttered, the golden light from the fading sun casting a soft glow over her face as she slowly blinked awake, the sleepiness still lingering in her features.
For a moment, Eva simply stayed where she was, nestled against Seraphina's arm, her face tucked into the crook of her neck. The familiar scent of Seraphina's perfume or body wash, a blend of fresh flowers and something soft, enveloped her. It was the kind of scent that made Eva feel safe and cherished, like she could stay in this moment forever, wrapped up in the warmth of her friend's embrace.
But as the sleep fog cleared, Eva's cheeks flushed a soft pink when she realized where she was. Her tiny, hoarse voice broke the silence, raspy with sleep, but laced with the sweetness that only a child could possess.
"I'm sorry I fell asleep on you, Ina," she murmured, her voice still thick with the remnants of slumber.
Seraphina smiled down at her, gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from Eva's face. "It's okay, little one. I don't mind at all."
Eva blinked up at her with wide, innocent eyes, her tiny hands still clutching at Seraphina's sleeve. "Thank you for letting me stay," she whispered, her voice almost shy now, as if she was realizing the vulnerability of the moment. She leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Seraphina's cheek in a quiet gesture of gratitude.
Seraphina's heart swelled at the sweetness of the action, and she returned the gesture, her lips brushing the top of Eva's head as she hugged her a little tighter. "You're welcome," she whispered back, her voice tender and warm, and filled with the unspoken emotions that only she could understand.
But then, just as Eva's eyes began to flutter closed again, a small, soft murmur escaped her lips.
"I don't want to go home," she said, her words barely above a whisper, but heavy with meaning. "I want to stay with you, Ina. I want to stay with you in your room… in your bed… with my Yue… with my Ina…, Eva's voice trailed off, the last word a soft sigh as she nestled deeper into Seraphina's lap, her fingers still lightly gripping the fabric of her dress.
Seraphina's chest tightened at the words, the innocent request, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say. Her emotions stirred—protectiveness, affection, something deeper than friendship—but she only smiled, a soft, fond smile that belied the complexity of her feelings.
"I know, little one," she said softly, her voice calm but carrying a hint of something else, something unspoken. "But you can't stay here forever, not tonight."
Seraphina carefully brushed a hand over Eva's hair, smoothing the tangles away, her fingers lingering on the soft strands. "But I promise, I'll always be here for you. Whenever you need me, I'll be here."
Eva didn't respond with words. Instead, she pressed herself tighter against Seraphina's chest, closing her eyes once again. Her breathing evened out, the weight of her earlier emotions now fading, her tiny body relaxing in the security of Seraphina's arms.
For a few moments, there was nothing but the quiet rustling of the leaves and the soft sounds of Eva's steady breathing as she drifted back into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Seraphina, her heart aching in the most tender way, stayed still for a long time, unsure if she could move without waking Eva. But the silence stretched on, and when she was certain that Eva had fully drifted off again, Seraphina gently shifted, careful not to disturb the little girl in her arms.
Her mind was running, though, filled with thoughts that had become all too familiar. She knew what Eva's words meant. She knew the innocence of them, the simplicity, the raw, open affection that came from the heart of a child. But she also knew what it meant for her—what it would mean for them both. The unspoken bond between them was deepening, and it was clear that Eva trusted her in ways that Seraphina could never have imagined. But there was something else there, something fragile and delicate, buried beneath the surface of Eva's childlike innocence, that Seraphina could feel too. And it unsettled her, just a little.
Forcing herself to break the silence, Seraphina took out her phone from her pocket, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed Eva's aunt's number. She knew she needed to inform them of Eva's wishes, even if she had no real expectation that they'd grant the request. It wasn't about the permission, but about letting them know where their daughter was. The lines between what was appropriate and what felt right were always blurry when it came to Eva.
The phone rang once, then twice before Vivienne's familiar voice answered. "Hello?"
"Aunt Vivienne, it's Seraphina," she said softly, her voice polite but cautious. "Eva wanted to sleep in my bed tonight. She's resting right now, but I just wanted to let you know where she is."
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Seraphina could almost hear the smirk in Vivienne's voice when she spoke again.
"Oh?" Vivienne's tone was teasing but full of amusement. "Well, isn't that just precious? It seems Seraphina has claimed my niece as her own. That's adorable, really." Vivienne chuckled lightly. "I'll let Evelyn know. But I suppose you've already done the hard work of coaxing her to stay with you, haven't you?"
Seraphina's cheeks flushed slightly at the teasing, though she couldn't help but feel a pang of unease at the way Vivienne had phrased it. It was true, in a way—Eva had found her way into Seraphina's arms so effortlessly, so completely—but there was something about it that felt more like fate than simple affection.
"Yes, well," Seraphina replied, her voice calm despite the heat rising in her cheeks. "She seems to have decided that she wanted to stay. I didn't want to just… send her home, you know?"
Vivienne's voice softened a little, a faint chuckle still lingering in the background. "I understand, dear. Don't worry. I'll make sure Evelyn know where she is." There was another pause, followed by a sigh. "It's just funny, isn't it? How easily Eva has taken to you. She's not usually this open with people."
Seraphina said nothing, simply allowing the silence to stretch on. In truth, she wasn't sure what to say. Eva had, indeed, taken to her with surprising ease, and Seraphina had no idea why. She only knew that she couldn't deny the bond, no matter how complicated it made things.
"Well, don't get too comfortable," Vivienne added with a laugh. "I'm sure you're going to have your hands full with her in no time. But for now, enjoy the peace while it lasts."
With a final chuckle, Vivienne ended the call, leaving Seraphina to sit with her thoughts as she stared at her phone screen.
Eva was still asleep in her lap, her breathing slow and steady, her small body curled up in a way that made Seraphina's chest tighten with a protective instinct she hadn't known she was capable of.
For now, that was enough.