Chapter 437: A Preserved Memory
When the family of three stepped off the plane, the cold breeze bit at their cheeks. A sleek black car awaited them, sent by the Winslows. They began a two-hour ride to the countryside.
As the car gradually left the city behind, Lorianne plastered her nose to the window again and again. She gasped at every sight, of deer tracks on the snow, a frozen pond glinted like crystal and distant barns with lanterns glowed through the overcast sky.
"Look, Daddy! Sheep!" the little one squealed, index finger pointing eagerly outside, "They’re wearing snow hats!"
Nathaniel laughed, shaking his head in amusement, "Those aren’t hats, my little princess. Just snow piling up."
"Still cute," she said with a wide grin.
The road wound past hills and through clusters of pine trees, heavy with frost. The further they went, the more the air outside smelled of woodsmoke and winter earth.
When the family of three finally reached the Winslow family’s ranch, the sky had already deepened into navy blue. The sun was barely hanging over the horizon.
The two-story country house glowed warmly from afar. The lights outlined its peaked roof, garlands were hung on every window and ashy smoke curled lazily from the chimney.
"It’s quite big," Nathaniel remarked as he looked at the modern-style country house.
"Yeah," Elsie mused, "It has seven bedrooms, all with ensuite washrooms. Aside from the lounges, kitchen and other communal spaces, the house has an indoor garden too."
"I heard the garden has a glass ceiling," he smiled meaningfully, "Lorrie told me before."
"A perfect place to relax," she chuckled, "I often went there to do my designs. Lorrie loved playing there too."
Nathaniel said nothing more. The car sped past the main gate, the tires rolling on the driveway until it eventually stopped at the front porch. Two figures, bundled in coats, waited there.
"Grandma! Grandpa!"
Lorianne rushed to Diane and Leonard once Nathaniel helped her out of the child’s car seat. In her hurry, she stumbled on her feet, her body falling forward.
"Lorrie!"
"Watch out!"
A horrified Nathaniel quickly caught her. Elsie, Diane and Leonard gasped in surprise. When the four adults were still taken off guard, the little girl grinned as if nothing had happened.
"Lorrie!" Diane patted her chest, "Why did you run? You’ve scared your grandma’s poor heart."
"Hehehe~ Lorrie missed Grandma and Grandpa so much! Gimme a hug!"
Lorianne reached both arms, paying no attention to her father who was still carrying her. She was too eager to hug her grandparents.
Diane and Leonard had no heart to scold their little granddaughter. After taking Lorianne from Nathaniel, they urged him and Elsie to come inside.
"You’ll freeze to statues! Come in! Oh! Welcome back, Elsie and Nate."
Elsie and Nathaniel smiled, happy with the warm welcome. As the chauffeur brought their suitcase out of the trunk, the pair followed Diane, Leonard and Lorianne inside.
After changing into home slippers, they headed to the lounge. A scent of cinnamon and baked apples lingered in the air.
Evergreen garlands wrapped the wooden beams while the hearth crackled with fire. The entire house glowed with various ornaments, including the giant tree by the hearth.
"Dinner will be ready in an hour and a half," Diane glanced from Elsie to Nathaniel as she hugged Lorianne, "Elsie, bring Nate upstairs first. Go and get some rest."
"Yes, change into something comfortable," Leonard chimed, "We’ve prepared pajamas and everything for you two."
After thanking the Winslow couple, Elsie led Nathaniel to the second floor. Lorianne was happily clinging to her grandparents, allowing her parents to have some alone time.
Nathaniel followed Elsie up the broad staircase, their footsteps muffled by the soft carpet. The air upstairs was calmer and quieter, faintly scented with lavender and cedarwood.
She stopped before a pink-painted door and pushed it open, "This is Lorrie’s room. She started sleeping alone when she was three."
Elsie’s words piqued Nathaniel’s interest. The moment he stepped inside, he could tell it was more than a child’s room. This place was maintained well, like a preserved memory.
If this was daytime, he believed the dazzling sunlight would illuminate the pastel walls. Shelves stood at one corner, filled with picture books, stuffed animals and wooden toys.
A beautiful, antique dresser in a pastel yellow color sat nearly against a wall. The lone shelf beside it showed framed photos of a much younger Lorriane, beaming with a gummy smile.
"My parents keep everything just as it is," Elsie said softly, her gaze drifting toward the little bed with its quilted blanket, "Even though Lorrie no longer stay here full-time."
Nathaniel said nothing, but Elsie’s remarks were enough to tell how much the Winslows cherished Lorianne despite not being their biological granddaughter.
His eyes continued roaming the space as he walked around the room. He saw a small basket of coloring books stacked neatly by the nightstand. Not a speck of dust could be spotted anywhere.
Somehow, he could imagine their little daughter lying tummy down on the carpet, laughing while scattering crayons everywhere.
A warm, soft smile curved on Nathaniel’s lips, "Your parents love her so much."
"They do," Elsie replied, her eyes gleaming with appreciation, "They want her to always feel she has another home here, to always feel welcomed."
"The same as you," he turned around, locking their gazes together, "They love you like their own."
"I can’t deny that," she chuckled, "I’m grateful for their love and care."
After a few quiet moments, Elsie gestured at the door, leading Nathaniel to the next room. It was hers.
The white door opened to a soft lilac hue. The scent of lavender filled the air, delicate and familiar.
Elsie’s room looked elegant yet simple; adorned with ivory curtains, floral linens, a few framed photos with Lorianne and the Winslows, and vases of dried lavender. Their suitcase was placed right beside the closet.
Diane and Leonard had clearly gone out of their way. A folded set of men’s pajamas lay on the foot of the bed, along with a brand new towel.
"I think your toiletries are inside," Elsie pointed to the washroom.
Nathaniel chuckled, "They really prepared everything."
"They want you to be comfortable," she grinned, "It’s their son-in-law’s first time here."
Then, the pair stepped further in as Nathaniel swept his gaze over the room before settling on the bay window. Snow had begun to fall outside, soft flakes swirling under the faint glow of the garden lights.
"This room really feels like you," he murmured, one arm snaking around her waist, "The color, the light, and even the smell."
Her cheeks warmed, "I can’t change it even if I want to. That’s my taste."
"You’re right, my dear."
Nathaniel reached out to brush Elsie’s soft blond locks back. His fingers lingered briefly against her cheek. For a moment, the only sound was the muffled whisper of wind outside.
Elsie lifted both arms, wrapping them around Nathaniel’s neck. Her soft smile was reflected in his eyes, "Do you feel strange? Being here for the first time. After everything."
"Quite strange," he agreed softly, pulling her even closer, "But also feels right. I got to see your and our daughter’s safe haven, back when I wasn’t there for you two."
"The past is behind us, Niel," she whispered.
She tiptoed, leaning over until her lips met his, meeting in a slow and quiet kiss.