One Night – Bonus Scene

Sylvie

The gentle hum of the car engine blended with the soft lullaby playing on the radio as Duke drove us toward Haven Pines. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of pink and orange across the sky. I sat in the back, unable to leave our baby alone for long. I glanced to the front at Duke, his hands steady on the wheel, and I couldn’t help but marvel at the life we’d created together.

Three week old Gus lay peacefully in his car seat, his tiny fingers curled around mine. The rhythmic sound of his breathing provided a soothing melody that harmonized with the music playing in the background. Duke stole a glance at our son, a proud smile stretching across his face.

“We’re almost there,” Duke said, his voice warm and reassuring. We had planned to pick Red up for a family dinner at Tootie’s house, but wanted a private moment to introduce him to our son.

Duke glanced in the rearview mirror. “Are you about ready to meet your Grandpa Red?”

I smiled and nodded for the both of us, feeling a mixture of excitement and anticipation. Red, Duke’s father, had been a source of mystery and a bit of trepidation for me. My own father had painted a distorted image of him, but Duke’s stories and the love in his eyes spoke a vastly different truth.

As we approached the entrance to the small neighborhood of semi-independent homes of the assisted living facility, my heart quickened. Duke parked the car in front of Red’s home, and we carefully extracted Gus from his seat. The evening air was crisp, and I wrapped Gus in a soft blanket, holding him close to my chest.

As we walked toward the front door, the scent of distant Lake Michigan waters clung to the air. The street was quiet, with only a few of the homes illuminated. A few walkers offered a wave in hello. Duke led the way, his confidence unwavering. I marveled at how Haven Pines had transformed the outskirts of the property into a perfectly cozy neighborhood for the residents capable of living there.

When we reached Red’s door, Duke hesitated for a moment before gently knocking. The wooden door creaked open, revealing a cozy home adorned with pictures and mementos that told the story of Red’s life.

“Hey, Dad,” Duke greeted warmly, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability.

Red pulled the door wider and welcomed us inside. His eyes lit up at the sight of us. “Duke! Come on in. I was just getting my coat.” His gaze shifted to Gus, and a tender smile crossed his lips. “And who is this little bundle of joy?”

“This is August, Dad. Our son,” Duke announced proudly, a glimmer of emotion in his eyes.

“August,” he whispered as he looked at our son. Red’s face softened, and he extended his arms, eager to hold his grandchild. Duke carefully handed Gus to his father, and Red cradled him with a gentleness that spoke of a deep, innate love.

“Well, hello there, Gus,” Red whispered, his weathered hands caressing Gus’s cheek. “You’re a handsome one, just like your dad. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

I watched the scene unfold, my heart swelling with a myriad of emotions. The man before me was not the distant, underhanded figure my father had portrayed. Red was kind, affectionate, and utterly devoted to the family he had left.

Duke leaned against the wall, a silent observer to the generations coming together. “Sylvie, this is my father, Red. Dad, meet Sylvie and our beautiful son, August.”

Red looked up at me, his eyes expressing a warmth that transcended words. He smiled at me. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Sylvie. Duke has told me so much about you, and I can see why he’s head over heels.”

I smiled, feeling a profound sense of acceptance. “It’s an honor to meet you too, Red. Thank you for welcoming us into your family.”

Red chuckled, the sound resonating with wisdom and a hint of mischief. “Family is what you make of it, my dear. And it looks like we’ve got a wonderful one right here.”

Red continued to cradle our baby, welcoming further into his home. For a few moments, we shared stories and laughter with Duke and I marveled at the beauty of this moment. The weight of misconceptions and the shadows of the past had lifted, giving way to a newfound understanding and connection.

In the quiet moments that followed, I found myself reflecting on the journey that brought us here. From the first sparks of our love to the challenges we faced, every twist and turn had led us to this shared space of warmth and acceptance.

Red, with his fading memories, held Gus with a tenderness that spoke of a legacy of love overcoming the limitations of time. In that home, surrounded by family, I realized the power of choice—to rewrite the narratives that bound us and to embrace the love that surpassed the confines of bloodlines.

As we left the assisted living neighborhood, the night sky adorned with stars, I glanced at Duke, who held my hand with a newfound strength. Our little family, once a dream, was now a reality—a testament to the enduring power of love and the courage to break free from the shackles of the past.

And so, under the vast expanse of the night sky, we walked into the future hand in hand, our hearts echoing the promise of a love that knew no bounds.