The train had arrived and was waiting at the station; Tom heaved a sigh of relief at its sight. He had, of course, planned on saying his goodbyes, hard as it was for him to see them off, but had been delayed by his curious friends though it seemed he was only a bit late. Making his way through the crowd Tom spotted Elise seeing off her luggage, standing presumably before her compartment. Moving quickly he neared them only to be spotted by Edmund, who squealed in delight at his sight, making Elise turn around and smile at him. Tom returned the smile and in few strides, reached them. Edmund stretched his arms towards him and Elise handed him over with a chuckle.
"He's been looking for you." Said Elise.
"My apologies for being tardy." Said Tom.
"You are late only by a minute." Said Elise amusedly.
Tom just smiled and turned his attention to his son, who for the moment seemed content being in his embrace. He kissed Edmund, breathing into his baby hair, committing it into his memory. Edmund looked up smiling, back to his cheery self, and starting blabbing enthusiastically. Tom beamed, feeling himself for the first time in the day, which had a rather gloomily start. Elise smiled at the scene knowing acutely what was to come next, she only hoped Edmund won't be too disagreeable and refuse to part when he'd realise his papa won't be coming along. Tom shifted Edmund onto one arm and fished his trouser pocket for a piece of paper.
"This is my address. We should sketch out a routine." Said Tom handing out the paper to Elise, looking insouciant yet expectant within.
Elise took the paper, studied it and opened her purse taking out a notebook. Putting the paper in it and turning a few pages she drew out her own piece of paper.
"And this is my address. We can write twice a week. You can write first, every Tuesday and Friday. I shall write every Thursday and Sunday. Is that agreeable?", asked Elise handing it out to Tom.
"Yes." This way, I won't have to wait anxiously for your letter, and know if something's wrong.
The afternoon sun casted the scene in a metaphysical light, which somehow made Tom's chest clench harder. It will be the moment treasured, nuanced with a certain melancholy.
"What shall you do now that we have changed his name? I assume it's a little too late to change his birth certificate," asked Tom suddenly; if it steered away from the glum line of conversation it was but, a happy coincidence.
"Quite right. I rather not face the stink eye of an irritable clerk at Public Record Office, but it has to be done."
"Then there is the question of your family, they are sure to say something."
"I'm sure I can handle them or rather, we can break the news when you come around, if only at the expense of our confused son!" Said Elise with a laugh.
"True." Said Tom with a smile, "My poor lad." And kissed Edmund's forehead. She is warming up to my role as her son's father! Feeling pleased as punch he smiled again.
"It would be hard to explain the sudden change of name, and how it came about, now that I think about it. But I rather not have them have an unpleasant opinion of you without a meeting, so it seems we are stuck with a confused son. " Said Elise.
"So it seems, but on the bright side, you have an excellent excuse; the process of changing name takes quite a while, it can explain away your reluctance to tell them earlier. By then they would have met me anyway. " Said Tom.
"Yes, I suppose." Said Elise, not quite happy at the prospect of confusing their son for their own selfish reasons.
Tom saw her displeasure at the prospect, "Or I could come around this weekend", he said.
"No, it should be fine. Needn't wreck our perfectly made plan." Said Elise with a reassuring smile.
Tom simply nodded, Elise checked her watch and seem to brace herself before holding out for Edmund. Tom held her gaze before handing over Edmund, who whined slightly in confusion at the trade. He looked up to his mama and she smiled a little, "Time to board the train, Edmund. Or we'll miss it."
Tom watched as his son turned to look at him with a raised brow, and back at his mother. Supremely amused, he looked on as Elise got into the train and walked along with her as she searched for her berths. He stood before the window as she took her seat and arranged Edmund on her lap and looked up at him.
"Well." She said with an awkward smile.
"Bon voyage." Said Tom, retuning hers with a sharp smile.
He looked at her intensely, etching her face and demeanour of that moment in his memory to be held till he saw her next. She held his gaze evenly and whilst she let him, Tom could tell she rather not have it directed upon her so. Proper as it was, her reaction, Elise understood and Tom couldn't help release her with a parting sharp smirk, holding it as she inconspicuously withdrew to look at their son. Edmund was looking at him curiously, a smile still playing on his cherubic countenance, and held out his petit hand through the grating. Tom grasped it at once, and held it.
Elise watched Tom's countenance soften as Edmund held out his hand and a smile, she was sure unbeknownst, come upon his face as he took it at once. She felt her chest tighten at the tender moment, the surroundings fading away as she held her breath.
"Goodbye, Edmund. Take care of your mama."
Tom spoke softly and gently; watching a frown appear upon his son's face and whistle of train, ready to depart. Edmund's cry of anguish was lost in the sound and bustle of station coming alive once again. Train started to move and Elise gently pulled in Edmund's hand as Tom walking along the moving train.
He watched as his son tried to escape the confines of his mother's arms to reach out to him again, walking along as far as he could. Tears pooled in Edmund's eyes as the train pick up speed, and Tom lost his, the cry of anguish and sorrow of his son reached his ears above the noise and his chest contracted painfully again. Inside the train, Elise held on Edmund, caressing his head of soft hair and hummed a soothing tune.
