When Two Hearts Blooms

Creighton leaned his arms on the horse fence thinking of what happened earlier, Butler Donald came to see him as the air breeze flows into them.

"Are you alright, Creighton?"

A moment of silence before Creighton could even say something.

"When I gave Liam to Lady Agatha, I felt scared, angry, and miserable at the same time. Liam never knew what his mother looked like. Not even a picture of hers to remind him that Lucy is his mother. This is the first time I've seen him crying emotionally. "As he looked from the horse stables to far Greenland.

"I don't want to deceive my son and Lady Agatha to feel downhearted. I don't know what I am going to do after this, Sir Donald."

"Creighton, Lady Agatha has done that not because she wants Liam to stop crying but because she feels the pain of your son's loss too. Losing an entire family takes years to heal and the same goes for you when your beloved wife died. But, when I saw Lady Agatha open her arms for Liam, I could finally see her starting to fill her hollow heart with Liam's warm touch."

"What do you mean?" sad-wondered face.

"Both Liam and Lady Agatha lost the most precious person in their life. A mother's love." Butler Donald said as he looked at him.

Creighton stunned.

"You see, Lady Agatha lost her mother when she was young, but she was poured with so much love and care that Liam has never experienced and felt a mother's touch. Lady Agatha cannot bear to see your son being disregarded, that's why she unconditionally opened her heart to Liam, and to you as well." Butler Donald comforted him with his words.

"Sir, Donald" Creighton in teary eyes.

"If somewhere in your heart, you feel something for Lady Agatha, please do so. Do not hesitate. I have nothing against it. Lady Agatha deserves someone who will love her and stand by her side at her worst. And, when that happens, I would be contented if it's you, Creighton." Butler Donald assured him as he tapped his right shoulder.

Creighton is stunned as a tear drops from his right eye and the other. A flashback reminded him of Lucy's words.

"And, when the time comes, and when you are ready, I want you to be happy as well. To love and be loved."

Creighton tenderly smiled at Butler Donald as he felt comforted.

**

In the late afternoon, Liam was playing with the teddy bear with a red ribbon, that had its teddy bear clothes in stripes, that Lady Agatha gave him. It was her brother Arley's well-kept teddy bear; it was clean, like new. Liam was tossing and playing with the teddy bear as he giggled adorably.

Even while playing, Lady Agatha couldn't help but steal a glance at him. Liam tries to keep his balance as he picks up the teddy bear from the floor with his right hand and climbs up to reach the edge of the couch with his left hand. He crashed to the floor and laughed as he saw the teddy bear staring at him from its perch.

Creighton came in as Lady Agatha just finished her writing. Liam saw him, and crawl forward, holding the teddy as he is still unable to walk by himself.

"Pap-pa," Liam called out.

Creighton look at him and smiled, then Liam went back to play with his teddy.

"Lady Agatha, I hope Liam did not disturb you that much."

"No, Creighton, he was well-behaved the entire time, playing with Arley's teddy bear." while Liam was preoccupied with his game, she got up and sat down on the couch in his direction. Creighton was standing there.

"Also, Liam can keep Arley's teddy bear, to keep him company. He seems fond of it," Lady Agatha said.

"Lady Agatha, you don't have to." he politely said as he nodded.

"No, no, that's alright. It's just that Liam reminded me of Arley when he was little, so please take it." she insisted as she took the cup of tea and take a small sip as she continues.

"Thank you for your generosity, Lady Agatha." then, he approached Liam and reaches his hands to carry him.

"Come, Liam, it's time for dinner."

"I will see you tomorrow, Liam." Lady Agatha tilted her head as she holds the cup of tea and smiled.

Liam carried the teddy bear with him, yet again, he looks at Lady Agatha waiting. Waiting for her to stand up too and go along with them.

"Mam-ma." Liam's teary eyes looked at her while holding the teddy.

Liam wants to say something but couldn't. He wants Lady Agatha to go with them and be with him.

"I'm sorry, my Lady, I'll bring him now before he starts crying again."

While Creighton was turning his back on Lady Agatha, Liam looked behind Creighton's left arm and began sniffling and crying. While he's inconsolable, he keeps calling her "Mam-ma."

"Creighton." Lady Agatha stopped him.

Creighton nodded, as he feels Liam is acting strange. He turns around, as he sighed worriedly as he does not want to burden Lady Agatha again.

"Yes, Lady Agatha"

"Would it be okay if I'll join you for dinner? It seems Liam will not stop crying."

"Huh?" Creighton acted in disbelief.

"Also, It feels quiet to eat alone. Just for today, until he falls asleep." Lady Agatha insisted. The way she looked at Creighton was pure and modest as she started to feel and wanting not to be alone anymore.

It made Creighton understand now that it's been hard for Lady Agatha being alone in a big house without laughter. A house full of luxurious things yet feels empty. It's hard to fathom how Lady Agatha could have survived the years of silence, which brought nothing but grief and despair. Creighton knows that his current feelings will develop over time, but he wants to be by her side, not via Liam, but himself alone, to provide unwavering support for as long as she needs it.

"Sure, it's alright, Lady Agatha." he tenderly smiled at her.

**

The kitchen was in full silence and awkwardness as Lady Agatha joined them for dinner at the kitchen bench table. Ashley started to feel nosy but, in an effort, to silence her daughter, Ashley's mother raised her left eyebrow and made a lip signal.

Lady Agatha sat beside Creighton, as Liam felt happy clapping his hand while sitting on the left side of his father's lap in between them. While Butler Donald appears unconcerned as he begins buttering a slice of wheat bread.

Carrie and Ashley return Creighton's awkward smile as they steal a look at each other as mother and daughter.

Lady Agatha didn't care; she was too preoccupied with Liam to notice. As she ladled mushroom soup into a bowl, she went to get some bread and butter. She then presented it to Liam, who smiled and looked at it. Creighton couldn't do much but feel embarrassed as he reached for the bread and butter using his right hand.

Carrie and Ashley were looking at them as they put food on their plate.

"Mother, do you see what I am seeing? Is this for real?" Ashley whispered beside her mother quietly as she put bread on her plate.

"Don't even start, Ashley, just eat your dinner quietly," Carrie said and acted cool and smiled at them, awkwardly.

As they eat in utter silence, Ashley's inquisitiveness reaches a peak level, and she becomes agitated in the kitchen.

"Lady Agatha." Ashley breaks the awkwardness.

Lady Agatha and Liam look at her at the same time. Creighton looks as well.

"Yes, Ashley." while she feeds Liam and herself.

"Woah, now I see it, you and Liam look like mother and son." Ashley carelessly said.

Creighton and Carrie choked on what they were eating. Creighton started to feel more embarrassed.

"Ashley! I told you not to say anything, and to keep your mouth shut." Carrie said it loudly.

"It's alright, Carrie. Why do you say so?" Lady Agatha curiously asked.

Creighton was shocked and looked side view toward Lady Agatha

"Well, you both have the same eyes and hair color. Even your skin tone is the same. He looked like master Arley too when he was little." Ashley explained, as she smiled naively and tilted her head.

"Do you think so? Well, that's what I thought. He looks like little Arley." she complimented.

"But I like Liam, he's adorable and well-behaved. He's like a ray of sunshine to me." Lady Agatha tenderly smiled without hesitation.

Creighton then gently smiled looking at how Lady Agatha and Liam really lookalike. Suddenly, Liam put his right palm on Lady Agatha's face and gently caresses her while he was looking at the food table, and innocently called her -

"Mam-ma" Liam pointed at the soup bowl.

"Mother! Did you hear that?! Liam called Lady Agatha, Mama" Ashley was startled as she nudged her mother's left arm. They were both in awe.

"Indeed, I heard that." Carrie looked surprised too.

"Creighton, did you hear that?!" Ashley exclaimed looking at Creighton.

Creighton with an awkward face just scratched his head. While, Butler Donald, just secretly smiled as he sips his tea. As for Lady Agatha, she said something else.

"I am alright if Liam calls me Mama. Honestly, I am enjoying having meals with all of you together. It reminds me of eating together with father, mother, and Arley while we teased each other on the table" Lady Agatha said but didn't feel sad about it.

Because she has been able to talk openly about her family and be reminded of the wonderful times they've shared, she now feels more at ease. Lady Agatha appears to be gradually releasing the grief she's carried for so long. When Creighton and Liam arrived at the mansion, she began to gradually feel relieved. They all looked at her and felt sorry for her again for a moment.

"Then, why don't you join us every day for dinner, Lady Agatha." Ashley interrupted and suggest. She looks stirred.

"Ashley, that is so impolite for you to ask Lady Agatha that way" Carrie starts to feel annoyed but feels the same way as her daughter.

"What?! What did I do now?" Ashley feels disappointed as she puts the spoon in her mouth and pouts it.

"I would love to do that, what do you say, Creighton?" Lady Agatha looked at Creighton intently.

Creighton was dazed, as he thought, "Why is she staring at me so intimately?" and just smiled awkwardly towards her. Carrie and Ashley blinked their eyes while waiting for an answer.

"Pap-pa.Mam-ma." Liam mumbled happily tapping his hands on the table. Like he is trying to tell them - "I want. I want Papa. I want Mama." as he chuckled.

Seems like Liam can read the way his father and Lady Agatha looked at each other. He seems to understand the situation and wants more for both.

"If that's what you want, Lady Agatha, we do not mind." Creighton then smiled purely.