"Sir Gray... are you sure we’re allowed to go out today?" Eli’s voice, which was barely audible, sounded. He lightly tugged the hem of Gray’s shirt as he looked up at him.
Gray, who was walking, stopped at once.
He lowered himself slightly so he was closer to Eli’s height. He smiled gently and nodded.
"Yes, Eli," Gray said softly. "It’s all been approved. Mara made sure of it. You don’t have to worry."
Eli hesitated for a bit. His fingers were still clutching Gray’s shirt.
"They really won’t get mad?" he asked.
Gray shook his head. "No one will get mad, Eli. You’re just going out for the day. We’ll also be back before dinner, alright?."
Eli looked at Mara, who was standing a few steps away. She smiled at him too to reassure him. However, for so reason, Mara’s smile looked a little stiff.
"It’s okay, Eli," Mara muttered in a sweet and soft voice. "We’ll be with you the whole ti, alright?."
"Alright..." Eli finally nodded, slowly relaxing now.
Gray straightened and gently guided Eli forward. The three of them walked toward the car parked just outside the foundation. As soon as they reached the car, Gray opened the door for Eli.
"Go ahead," he said. "Make yourself comfortable. We also bought so snacks for you to eat!"
Eli’s eyes widened slightly. "Really?" There was excitent in his voice.
"Yes, Eli," Gray replied with a small chuckle.
That alone made Eli smile.
Once they were inside the car, Eli sat stiffly at first, his hands resting on his lap as if he didn’t know what to do. He looked out the window, watching the buildings slowly pass by as they drove away.
Gray glanced at him from ti to ti. He could tell Eli was trying to relax, but he was still awkward around. One thing that he noticed too was the sudden silence of Mara. It was so unlike her.
Normally, Mara would already be talking. She would be checking schedules, ntioning plans, or teasing him lightly. But now, she was just staring out the window, her fingers lightly gripping her bag.
"Are you okay?" Gray asked her casually.
Mara blinked and turned to him.
"Hmm? Yes. I’m fine." She smiled, but it did not quite reach her eyes.
Gray held his gaze on her for a second, then nodded. He decided not to push it. Whatever it was, it could wait. Right now, this day was for Eli.
They arrived at a small cafe near a park. It was nothing fancy, but it has all that sweet pastries and good drinks.
Gray opened the door for Eli again when the car stopped.
"Eli, do you like sweet treats?" Gray asked though he already knew the answer. For sure, all kids loved it,
"Yes... I think so." Eli nodded slowly.
"That’s good then," Gray said. "They make good ones here!" he excitedly muttered.
Inside, Eli looked around with widened eyes. The sll of good food, sweet treats, and chocolates filled the air. It was different from the foundation.
Gray noticed how Eli relaxed as they sat down. He watched Eli study the nu carefully, his finger tracing the pictures.
"What do you want?" Gray asked.
"This one." Eli pointed hesitantly.
"Chocolate pancakes?" Gray smiled. "Good choice. Eli"
While they waited for the food, Gray leaned back slightly. He watched Eli quietly. After a mont, Gray spoke again, his tone gentle.
"Eli," he said, "my sister will be joining us today."
Eli looked up at him at once.
"Your... sister?" he asked.
"Yes," Gray nodded. "Her na is Lily. She’s close to your age. She’ll be here soon. Is that okay with you?"
Eli hesitated for a mont. His fingers curled slightly against the edge of the table. He glanced at Mara, then back at Gray.
"I’m not very good at talking to strangers," Eli said quietly.
"That’s okay," Gray replied right away. "You don’t have to talk a lot. Lily does enough talking for everyone."
Mara let out a small laugh at that. She exactly knew how it was.
Eli blinked, then gave a tiny nod. "Alright," he said.
Gray smiled at it. He just couldn’t wait to see how Eli would react once Lily started talking to him. It would be hilarious.
A few minutes later, the bell above the cafe door rang to signal that a person just entered.
Gray looked up just in ti to see Lily step inside. She spotted them almost instantly.
"Brother! Sister Mara!" she loudly called out, waving both of her hands as she ran over to them.
She stopped in front of the table, her eyes landing on Eli.
"Oh," Lily said, her voice softening. "Hi there!"
Eli froze.
Gray stood slightly to introduce the two to each other. "Lily, this is Eli. Eli, this is my sister."
Lily smiled warmly and pulled a chair closer to them.
"Hello Eli! Nice to et you!" she said. "I like your jacket."
Eli blinked, then looked down at what he was wearing. His ears lightly reddened. "Thank you," he replied, almost too quietly.
Lily sat down without making things awkward. She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. She wasn’t interested at talking to her brother or Mara at all. For her it was Eli that was all interesting.
"So," she said cheerfully, "what do you like, Eli? Gas? Drawing? Cartoons?"
Eli looked overwheld for a second with all the choices presented to him. After a second of silence, he swallowed and answered.
"I like drawing," he answered.
"Really?" Lily’s eyes lit up. " too. Well, I’m not very good, but I like it! What do you draw?"
"Houses," Eli said. "And parks."
"That’s cool," Lily replied easily. "My brother can’t draw at all."
Gray raised an eyebrow. "That’s not true."
"It is!" Lily laughed teasingly.
Eli watched them quietly, then let out a small sound that almost sounded like a laugh. Gray noticed it and kept quiet. He didn’t want to make things awkward by pointing it out.
Their food arrived shortly after. Eli stared at the chocolate pancakes again like he still could not believe they were real.
"Go on, Eli!" Lily said. "Eat it! Did you know that chocolate is the best thing that God created?"
Lily encouraged Eli, while she took a bite on her own food. She also ordered chocolate pancake like Eli.
With his encouragent, Eli took a bite. His eyes widened just like before.
"Is it good?" Lily asked expectantly!"
Eli nodded. "Very!" All of a sudden, his defense and awkwardness lted away because of food.
"That’s my favorite too!" she said, happily digging into her own plate.
As they ate, Lily kept talking. About school. About a funny teacher. About how Gray always scolds her, but still cooks and cares for her.
Eli did not say much, but he listened. Slowly, his shoulders relaxed. He started answering in full sentences. Sotis, he would even initiate so questions.
Gray watched all of it quietly.
He had been right. With Lily there, things felt lighter.
Mara sat beside them, smiling softly as she watched Eli eat and listen. Still, every now and then, her hand would tighten around her cup. She still hadn’t said anything to Gray. She didn’t know how to bring it up.
After they finished eating, Lily wiped her mouth and looked at Eli again.
"There’s a park nearby here Eli!" she said. "Do you like swings?"
Eli’s eyes lit up just a little. "Yes."
Gray smiled at it.
"Then let’s go," he said.
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