Lyla watched her son, fully awake and alive, with eyes once again gleaming with tears. She forced herself not to overcome by her emotions but seeing Evan, the feeling was overrated. It was extremely overwhelming.
Her son, who was lying on the hospital bed tried to curve his body upwards but failed. He gave a short hiss and placed his palm onto his abdomen after his failure to get up from the bed. The pain forced him not to make sudden movements and he hated it.
Lyla hastened her steps and reached out for Evan's free hand. She smiled gratefully when he grasped and seized their hand's embrace. "Evan," she called her son for the first time. She gulped and she thought she could taste her own tears. "I'm…I'm your mother," she said softly, tears collapsing down her face.
Evan smiled and gasped for air. He too, broke down to tears. He said, "I know, Mom."
Mom! He just called me! My own son just called me Mom! She guessed maybe this was the same feelings all mothers felt when their child just called them for the first time. When they said their first word.
This perfect moment should happen a long time ago. But it didn't matter. It was happening now. This was real. She wasn't dreaming. Not anymore. No one can call her crazy. Her head was not in the clouds, she was on the ground. Fully aware of everything that was happening.
She immediately bend down, wrapped her palms around her son's face and kissed his forehead and cheeks until she finally rested her head onto his chest, carefully without injuring his wound. She sobbed there for a moment while hearing his heartbeat. Louis' hand rubbing her shoulder made her calmer even more.
Louis couldn't help himself from feeling inundated by the situation. For some reason, tears just wouldn't stop flooding in his eyes. He felt the combination of happiness and sadness. Both feelings joint together.
Happiness because they were finally together. The love of his life had embraced their son for the first time. Even if he didn't know who August was at the time, he still had a chance to talk to him, unlike Lyla.
Sadness because he was disappointed. Disappointed because he had to wait eleven years for this moment to come. This should happen a long time ago. He should be there with Lyla the minute she found out they were going to be parents.
But they're happy now. Their happiness was enough to overthrow all of the pain inside him. Inside them.
Evan wiped his tears away and saw his father who was turning away to hide his eyes. He thought if it was possible for him to shout to the world on how happy he was at the moment. His parents were here, with him. Crying with him for the happiness each of them felt. Being with them meant the entire world, no, not the world but the entire universe for him. "It's okay, Mom," he said softly. "Everything is fine, really."
"Evan," she called again, still crying. She lifted her head up and said, "I love you so much. Please…Please believe me, I've always loved you. I…I've always wanted you, I never…"
"I love you too," he said truthfully. "I know. I know…Mr. Jefferies, he…he told me everything," he explained. "He told me that…you've been lied to. Ever since I was born," he paused. "You thought I was dead."
"I'm so…so sorry. I shouldn't have believed it. If I'd known you were alive, I would've never let you go. I would've been there…for you every minute of your life."
Evan looked at his mother's green eyes and said, "Well, you're here now."
"Yes, I am," she whispered. She took his hand and kissed it lovingly. "I'll never leave you, I promise."
"I've been dreaming about this since forever," he smiled. "Everyone keeps calling a freak. They don't think that this will ever happen. They thought I was crazy," he paused. "But I'm not."
"No," she whispered. "You're not. You are never crazy. No matter what they say. Trust me."
"I trust you."
Lyla slowly moved her thumb and wiped her son's tears. After she stared at Evan for a few moments, she chuckled. "Anyway," she sat on the bed and nodded to Louis. "I think you two need a proper introduction."
"Yeah," Louis nodded his head, smiling. "I think we need that too," he raised an eyebrow and asked Evan, "Don't you?"
He nodded his head and said to his father, "Definitely."
Louis pulled out a chair and sat slowly. He stared deeply into August's eyes and flashed a smile. The exact same smile when he saw August's expression as they were parting away. "It's amazing isn't it?"
"What?"
"Us," he paused. "I mean, we practically know each other before we really know each other."
Evan smiled sheepishly and said, "Yeah. But it's a good thing. I won't be at the concert if you didn't help me," he shook his head. "I won't be brave."
"You don't need me to be brave," he assured. "You are brave. You're brave, strong and very bright," he paused for a moment. "You know, when I was in San Francisco, I've always…I've always know that there's something out there for me. Someone," he corrected. "When I met you, I couldn't force myself to leave and I can't…I can't figure out why."
Evan listened closely to his father's story. He could understand the situation. He himself couldn't figure out why he didn't want Louis to leave. But know he knew. Louis was the father he'd been searching for. One of the most important parts of his life, his journey.
"But now I do," Louis continued. He felt his eyes burning with tears. He blinked, letting the tears to fall. "I guess…I just," he shrugged. "I guess I already loved you, even before knowing you're my son," he shook his head. "I never knew that…that person is you."
Evan spontaneously cried after hearing those words. He said, "I never knew I could see you, before the concert. I thought that I can only see you and Mom if I play."
"You were playing," Louis said, wiping his son's tears. "Remember?" When August hit his realization, he said, "I was drawn to your music," he looked down. "If you told me you needed to escape from…" he stopped. It was too painful.
"Wizard," Evan said.
"Wizard," he recited. "I would've kept you away from him."
Evan wiped his tears away. It was streaming heavily. He guessed it wouldn't stop anytime soon. "I couldn't tell you. I was afraid…you might send me to the cops and they'll send me back to the boy's home. I don't wanna go back there, ever. But," he looked at his mother. "If I knew you were looking for me, I would've gone back and I'll be able to see you."
Lyla smiled lovingly.
"But if I do then…I won't be able to see you," he looked back at his father. Evan scratched his head confusingly. This is very confusing!
Lyla looked at Louis and they both laughed. "It's crazy, right?" she asked. "But…it's not important anymore. No one is gonna tear us apart again," she looked at Louis and asked, "Isn't that right?"
Louis messed his son's hair and said, "Yeah."
