The door opened to a woman lying on the bed, her pale face bathed in the setting sun's glow as she stared out the window.
A man stepped inside.
"Kathrine, my love," The man softly called, his footsteps slowing
"Alex," she breathed. "You're here."
The evening breeze spread the fragrance of flowers around the garden. Birds were flying back to their nests, the warm sunlight painting a pretty picture, but Ellie didn't notice.
She sat on a wooden bench near a bed of tulips, her eyes watching the fountain's steady trickle. The words her mother said to her the day before filled her head. Life as she knew it was about to change, and she wasn't sure she was ready.
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"Ellie dear"
Mrs. Peter walked towards her, holding a basket with pink and white roses in it."What's wrong, had a fight with your mom ?"
"Not exactly. She told me about my father." She sighed, "I don't know what to make of it," she said, "he's wonderful, but I'm still worried."
"Well, you'll just have to see how things go." Mrs. Peter stroked her hair. "Do you trust your her?"
"Yeah"
"So your dad shouldn't be that bad." She handed a pair of scissors to Ellie. "Come on, let's cut some roses to put in the nurse's station together, you could take some to your mom's room too."
When they arrived at the nurse station, several nurses greeted Ellie, with some even slipping her snacks. Mrs. Peter handed her a vase with 4 roses. 1 pink, 1 white, and 2 red.
"Your father is really handsome." A young nurse, Sarah, called out. She joined the hospital a few weeks ago.
"My dad ?"
So he already arrived.
Her heart raced.
Mrs. Peter patted her free hand, calming their trembling.
"Yes, you look a lot like him, especially your eyes."
"He's so refined, too, his accent— so posh."
"I didn't know you were part British."
Some other nurses chimed in
"Okay …okay enough gushing about her dad and get back to work." Mrs. Peter chided, shooing the other nurses away. "Good luck, dear."
"Thank you," Ellie nodded, stepping into the elevator.
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"I'm sorry, Katherine. All these years, it has been hard on you." A voice full of warmth rang out.
Her breath caught in her throat.
She had just gotten to the door.
That must be her dad.
"All these years," He continued, his voice breaking. "I thought I had lost you both forever."
She heard a muffled answer. Her mom's voice was too low for her to make out the words.
Ellie waited for their voices to quiet down completely before knocking on the door.
Ellie hesitated. She wasn't sure she was ready to see him— the man who was apparently her father.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door.
Two pairs of eyes turned to her at once. Her mother, propped up by pillows, gave her a reassuring smile. The man seated on the chair by her mother's bed straightened immediately, his hands still grasping her mother's.
Ellie had imagined this moment in a dozen different ways.
What he looked like, would he look at her with disgust? indifference?
Instead, his gaze was gentle. Like her mother's.
He was tall, dressed in a crisp navy suit, but there was something slightly disheveled about him as if he had run his fingers through his dark hair too many times. He probably came here on the first flight available, judging by the dark circles beneath his eyes. Thin-framed glasses sat on his nose, and behind them, his eyes were filled with something she couldn't quite name.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Then, he cleared his throat and stood. "Eleanor"
Her name sounded strange coming from him, yet familiar at the same time.
She swallowed hard.
"Hi.." She hesitated, "Dad."
His eyes widened, as if surprised to hear the word.
"May I call you Ellie as well?" He asked, his face turning red, "I am Alexander James Hughes. Your father, you can call me Alex if you are not ready."
Ellie nods. She couldn't come up with a single reply, nervously clutching the vase in her hand.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.
"I have something for you." He said, handing her the box.
She took it, hesitating before opening the lid.
Inside was a necklace. Attached to it was a heart-shaped locket, delicate flowers adorning the front.
She carefully pried it open.
Inside was a picture of her parents, smiling.
They looked so young—of course, they still were, just in their early forties—but their smiles held an innocence untouched by the harsh realities of life. Their hair, now streaked with gray, had once held a rich, youthful color.
Turning the locket over, her fingers brushed over the initials 'E.J.'—Eleanor Jane—engraved in delicate strokes.
It was the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen.
"What do you think? Do you like it?" her father asked, adjusting his glasses. "I crafted this locket myself. The chain belonged to your grandmother—your mother gave it to me. When we found out she was pregnant, I started learning how to make it. I completed it before you were born, but… I never got the chance to give it to you…" His voice trailed off.
Ellie ran her fingers over the locket. The cold metal felt warm in her hand.
"Thanks, Dad. I like it." Turning slightly to put the vase on the table.
So, the chain was her grandmother's, and her dad had made the locket. The necklace was made up of two different families, just like her.
"The roses are beautiful," her mom finally spoke, smiling as she watched both of them.
Ellie hesitated before speaking again. "Em.. Dad? Could you help me put on the necklace?"
He paused for a moment before walking over to help her, brushing her hair aside, and gently clasping the necklace around her neck.
This was the first time they had touched.
"It suits you," Her mom commented as she turned back to face them.
Her father returned to his seat, and Ellie sat on the other chair, across from him.
Her mom reached out, taking both their hands in hers. Her eyes were a little red. Ellie glanced at her father and saw his eyes were too.
They both must have cried
Her mother's touch calmed the raging emotions swirling inside her.
A few days later, while painting, her mother suddenly announced that she wanted them to take family photos, making Ellie and her father pause their card game.
Since it was still morning, she sent both of them to go and get the outfits they'd wear for the pictures.
"I think this dress would be perfect for your mom. What do you think?" Her father asked, holding up a beautiful lilac dress, her mom's favorite color. Its high neck and maxi cut were perfect.
"This would do," she answered," I want one like it but blue."
They got another in blue. Her father bought a suit. Also, in blue before they left the store.
"When we get back, I want to go to the garden."
Her father looked at her in confusion
"White tulips are growing there. I want to make flower crowns for Mom and me," Ellie explained
He paused.
"Can I have one too?"
Ellie smiled, "Sure."
The picture spot was the gazebo in the garden, surrounded by pink rose bushes. It was the perfect backdrop for their pictures.
Mrs. Peter called over her son, Caleb, who was a photographer, and he came with a make-up artist.
After they all changed and had their make-up done, her dad wheeled her mom to the garden.
Ellie on the right, her mom in the middle, and her dad on the left. The family of three smiled brightly for the camera, with their matching flower crowns.
As the camera clicked, her father adjusted his glasses and glanced at Ellie and her mom, his expression soft. "You both look lovely," he murmured, almost as if he hadn't meant to say it out loud.
Ellie ducked her head, pretending to fuss with her dress. "Thanks."
Her mother giggled.
Caleb smiled as she set up another shot. "Now, let's do one with just you and your father."
Ellie hesitated, but her mother gave her an encouraging nod. Alex, too, looked uncertain, his hand hovering awkwardly before he finally placed it lightly on Ellie's shoulder.
The photographer counted down. Just before the shutter clicked, her father spoke.
"You have your mother's smile."
Ellie turned her head slightly in surprise, and the camera caught the scene—a father-daughter moment