Chapter 14 - Family by Choice
Six months passed. The Vance Youth Initiative flourished into one of the most successful community educational programs in the state, with Eleanor invited to consult for educational boards across the country. She was financially independent, professionally respected, and deeply content.
One bright Sunday afternoon, the three of them—Eleanor, Harrison, and Toby—spent the day at the botanical gardens. Toby ran ahead through the winding paths of the glass conservatory, chasing iridescent blue butterflies with boundless energy.
Eleanor and Harrison walked side-by-side, their hands loosely clasped.
"Look!" Toby shouted, skidding to a halt near a stone fountain surrounded by white lilies. "A wishing well! Daddy, give me a coin!"
Harrison pulled a shiny silver coin from his pocket and tossed it to his son. "Make it count, buddy."
Toby squeezed his eyes shut, held the coin tightly between both palms, and whispered something under his breath before tossing it with all his might into the sparkling water.
"What did you wish for?" Eleanor asked, walking up and crouching beside him to adjust his collar.
Toby looked at her with his enormous, hopeful blue eyes—the same eyes that had looked up at Harrison in the St. Regis ballroom months ago.
"I wished that we don't have to use two cars to go home anymore," Toby said simply. "I want us all to live in the house with the big garden, so Eleanor Mommy can teach me how to paint on real canvases every day."
Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat. She stood up slowly, looking toward Harrison.
May you like
Harrison wasn't surprised. He looked at his son, then at Eleanor, stepping forward until the space between them vanished.
"Toby has never been very good at keeping secrets," Harrison said softly, reaching into his pocket. "I was planning to wait until your anniversary with the foundation, but my son has far better timing than I do."
