Never 387
Lexi tried to come close to Linda a few times, but she held her back.
"Sweetheart, Mommy's sick right now, so you can't get too close. You need to stay here with Aunt Chloe for now, okay?"
"But why can't I be close to Mommy?"
Linda's hoarse voice came through, "Because Mommy's sick and doesn't want you to get sick, too. If you get sick because of me, I'd feel so guilty, and that would make me even more miserable. So, be a good girl, okay?"
"Does that mean Mommy will get better soon if I'm a good girl?"
"Yes, exactly! If you're a good girl, Mommy will get better and can play with you again."
Samson arrived home at some point, carrying a shopping bag.
"Sweetheart, come here. Daddy brought you a gift."
"Daddy!"
Kids would always be kids. Lexi rushed over the moment she heard about the gift.
Linda watched the touching father-daughter moment with a sense of warmth.
Chloe took a seat at the farthest end of the dining table.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Linda had said this so many times since she got down here!
She looked at Chloe. "Aren't you supposed to be having a vacation at Eldoria? Why are you back? I'm not in any real danger."
"I heard you were missing, and I was really worried. I just happened to catch the nearest flight back."
Linda was her only sibling and her sole family in this world. The moment she heard Linda might be in danger, her first instinct was to come back.
"You're still such a child."
"With your love, of course, I'm still a child."
Linda smiled.
The next morning, William came over.
"There are some things I'd like to discuss with you privately. Is that alright?"
Linda had just finished her milk and was about to speak when Lexi turned to William. "Uncle William, my mommy is still sick and can't see anyone right now, or she might pass the sickness on."
"Uncle William is a grown-up, so I won't catch it. Mommy's sick, but I won't get sick from her," William patiently explained while picking Lexi up.
Lexi asked again, "So does that mean when I grow up, I can be close to Mommy even if she's sick, and I won't catch it?"Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
"Yes, exactly! When you grow up, you'll be like Uncle William and won't catch it from Mommy."
Lexi looked at Linda. "Mommy, when I grow up, I'll be able to hug you!"
"Okay. I'll wait for you to grow up."
Linda took the mask from Ava and put it on.
"Ms. Flores, please take Lexi to play upstairs."
Lexi obediently followed Ava upstairs.
Linda gestured for William to follow her.
"Let's talk in the yard. It's not convenient to talk about things here."
William agreed, and they walked to the backyard in silence.
There were two yards in the Lynch Residence. One was a play area for the kids, and the other maintained its original appearance.