The wounds of her five-year-old self ran deep, leaving her heart perpetually aching for the love of her parents.
Her grandmother, the only family she had left, poured boundless love and care into Minnie, trying to fill the void that loss had carved.
Yet, the ache never left; it lingered like a quiet ghost of what once was.
Many years later....
A girl in her mid-teens found herself standing before a doorway.
Her hand went up to ring the bell. Before she got a chance to do that the door swung open and there was this really nice lady standing there. She was very gentle. Moved with a lot of grace.
Elizabeth, who is Sebastians mother said to her in a way "Minnie you have come to visit Sebastian?"
Minnie smiled quietly. Then she accepted Elizabeths open arms. She felt happy and comfortable when Elizabeth hugged her and Minnie melted into the hug.
This was the thing, to a mother's love that she had felt in a long time.
It filled an empty space in her heart that had been there since her parents died. The feeling of a mothers love was something she had really missed.
She thought about her parents a lot. They had some happy times together. Her parents made her smile. She smiled with them.. She was also very sad because they died when she was young.
Memories of her parents filled her thoughts. She remembered the moments with her parents and the deep sorrow of losing her parents.
Her uncle's indifference remained a sharp sting, but her grandmother's kindness had always been a healing touch.
Elizabeth was holding her. She felt her throat get all tight with feelings. Being in Elizabeths arms made her feel this way.
Elizabeths arms were, around her. This made her feel emotional.
The pain of missing her parents was still there. She felt a little better knowing that there were people in this world who cared about her. These people had hearts that loved her. That made her feel safe.
Her parents were not with her. The love of her parents and the love of these other people were still in her heart.
The love of her parents would always be with her and the love of these people made her feel like she was not alone, in this world.
"He's in his room right now. The fever hasn't gone down yet. Please be careful, I don't want you falling sick too."
Minnie tilted her head with a small nod. "Hmm, I get it, Auntie."
Outside Sebastian's room....
Her heart drummed wildly in her chest, her fingers trembling as they hovered over the door handle.
He had just returned from his aunt's house two days before, and she had felt his absence deeply.
The thought of seeing him again had filled her with such excitement and nervousness that she couldn't wait to visit.
But now, standing there, she learned he was ill.She knocked on the door, but no answer emerged from within.
Her hold tightening as she paused, then forced herself to twist the knob.
The door swung open, revealing an expansive space that mirrored his calm and collected personality.
The walls, painted a soothing sky blue.The large, spacious area was neatly arranged, with every item carefully positioned .
The room was spacious yet inviting. A stylish cream sofa rested at the center, paired with a dark wood coffee table adorned with a neat stack of books and a vase of fresh flowers. Against one wall stood towering bookshelves, lined with Sebastian's favorite reads.