Three years later

"Thank you Ma'am. I really love the book. It has helped me finding light in the darkest time of my life." A young woman of around 30 years age says as she forwards me the book to sign.

"My pleasure dear. I'm glad it helped you. What's your name?" I ask with a smile sitting on the chair in the shopping mall.

"Steph Ma'am." Hearing the name, I gaze at this unknown woman for a few seconds and then sign on the first page of the book.

The woman goes away happily and the book signing comes to an end. I leave a breath of happiness and get up from the chair after two hours. As I take a sip from the glass of water kept on the table, I see Pa and Mom coming towards me.

"So, my favourite author, how does it feel after meeting your fans?" Pa asks like a journalist with a teasing tone.

"It really feels good. Specially when I see that my purpose of writing this book has succeeded beautifully." I say remembering that young woman named Steph.

"Okay. Enough of work talks. Let's go back home. We have so much to do tomorrow." Mom says while pushing us to start walking.

Coming out of the mall, Mom and Pa takes a cab while I take another one and we both drive away in the opposite directions. The cool wind is hitting my face and tiredness starts engulfing my body. I don't know when but sleep embraces me.

"Ma'am!" I jolt up hearing the voice and look around.

"We've reached Ma'am." The driver says as I get down in front the alley which has changed my life completely.

"Thank You Ma'am." The driver drives away his car while I enter inside the alley. As the alley ends and I step on the field, my tiredness vanishes.

The whole field is beautifully adorned with flowers and fairy lights. Everyone is standing together in a group with a smile. In front of them is the grey coloured coffee table where a cake is waiting to be eaten up. And all my little angels are standing around the cake with a smile and holding a red coloured miniature rose each. As soon as I start walking towards them, all the children rush towards me. Seeing that, I sit down on my knees.

"Eve!" Shouting, they all jump over me and start giving me the roses one by one. After lots of hugs and kisses, they let me stand up again. I see Alice and George coming towards me.

"Congratulations Evelyn!" Both of them say together and we all burst into laughter.

"Thank you Alice and George. And congratulations on your marriage guys. You two really look adorable together." I give a quick hug to both of them.

And then I see Mom and Pa approaching towards us. Mom rushes towards me like one of those kids and asks, "How is the surprise? This is all planned by me."

We all break into another fit of laughter as I reply, "It's amazing mom. Thank you so much. But, shouldn't you and Pa rest by now? You have the inauguration of your bakery tomorrow mom."

"Don't worry girl. We'll be fine. Don't you say, we should enjoy every moment of our lives?" Pa says with a smile.

"Okay. Then let's enjoy." Saying this, I'm about to go and cut the cake when George stops us.

"Attention everyone!" We look at George not understanding what he is doing.

"We all know how well Evelyn's book has been doing. People are loving her book Walking with Steph and today's book signing confirms that this book is loved by all. And so, in such a good day, I would like to share good news with all of you. And that is..." George stops creating drama in the atmosphere.

"We have won the court case guys! Steph's Home now belongs to our lovely Evelyn. That fake son of our dear Steph has been proven guilty and the truth is all out! Thus, just as Steph wanted, according to her will, this whole land along with her home belong to Evelyn. And that means...

"We are staying here!" The children of Steph's Home screams out in excitement.

I walk upto George as gratitude fills my heart. "Thank You so much George. It's all because of your hard work and persistence or else..."

"No Evelyn. I may have been persistent but it's Truth that has won. After all, Truth can never be hidden, no matter how strong the web of lies is. This is what you say right?" George laughs while Alice calls us to cut the cake.

***

Opening the french door, I walk into the garden. The garden today is again filled with purple and white flowers. As I stroll around, I feel the same warmth of love within my heart just as I felt when I came here for the first time. I walk upto that corner where the sign board has been standing for the past four years.

The wooden planks of the board are showing signs of age but the red ink and the words are still the same. I caress on those words again as I repeat them in my mind

I love you and will always love you, even after I leave this body.

"I love you Lucas and will always love you, even after I leave this body." I smile and a tear of joy falls down while the cool breeze touch my face.

"Thank You Lucas. Thank You Steph. Thank You for coming to our lives and loving us. Thank you so much." Saying this, I take a deep, long breath.

"Evelyn!" I hear Alice's voice and start going back.

I enter inside the home, which is now an orphanage, from the french door where I find Alice waiting for me.

"We have an order for tomorrow evening. It's a wedding reception and they want the best flowers of our garden." Alice says as I enter in my office.

"Okay. Talk with Matthew and prepare everything. What's the name of the couple?" I ask as I open my copy to note down the order. But I don't get any answer from Alice.

"Alice? What are you thinking? You know we need the couple's name for sending the special gift from our behalf." I look at Alice and find her hesitating to say something.

"What is it Alice? Speak up please. Is there any problem?" I ask, concerned as it's rare to see Alice like this in work.

"No. It's the names..." I pick my pen to write down the names.

"Say Alice." This time I use a bit serious tone.

"The names are... Lucas and Eve." My pen stops and I look at Alice.

She nods her head. And all I do is smile and start moving my hand on the page.

Lucas Eve

I gaze at the names don't know for how long. When I finally look up, I can't find Alice there.

***

Opening the door of my home, I sigh with relief while my phone screen displays 10:35 pm and two unread messages.

I swipe open the phone and read them. First one is from Dad, Lucas' father, congratulating me and informing me that they'll return next year. And the second one is from Lena, my best friend. She is also congratulating me and sending me her flight details. After replying them, I put my phone on charger and walk towards my room.

"Home Sweet Home!" I say it out aloud feeling the warmth of my room.

After freshening up, I walk into the backyard garden with my diary and pen. The flowers are covering the whole garden. I walk upto one corner and sit there. The miniature rose which Lucas has gifted me is sitting beside me in all its blooming glory. I gaze at the blooming roses for some time and then turn my gaze towards the diary sitting on my lap.

I run my fingers over the words I've written on white cover of the diary with red ink.

A Journey Of Love.

Smiling, I open the bookmarked page and start filling the empty page with red ink.

Dear Lucas,

How was your day today? Did you have fun or are you moping around while waiting for me? I know what you were doing. You were watching me, isn't it? Are you happy today? Your Eve is super happy today. Do you know what happened...

☆☆☆

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