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"You never learn, do you?" Franny said teasingly as she sat next to her son

"I was just trying to help..." Wilbur muttered, his voice filled with frustration

"He's just worried about you."

"More like worried about his precious inventions" Wilbur interrupted, his tone bitter. "All he cares about are his gadgets. He never shows any love towards me."

Franny sighed, her gaze softening as she placed a comforting hand on Wilbur's shoulder. "Oh, sweetheart, that isn't true," she replied gently. "Your father has a difficult time expressing his emotions, but that doesn't mean-"

"I see the way he hugs you when he's back from a business trip…" Wilbur's voice trailed off as he struggled to find the right words,"He hugs me too..but there's always this distance."

Franny took a deep breath, gently reaching out to rub Wilbur's back. "Wilbur, your father loves you. He might not always show it the way you want him to, but deep down, he's always worried about you."

Wilbur slumped his shoulders and looked at the floor. "But why does he spend so much time on his inventions? It feels like he cares more about them than he does about me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper

The elder took a moment to gather her thoughts. She felt it too. The way Cornelius is always in his lab, inventing and brainstorming, becoming more distant everyday, especially from their son. "Your dad is a dreamer, Wilbur. He believes in creating a better future, not just for himself, but for everyone. His inventions are his way of making that happen."

"But what about the present?" Wilbur asked with a hint of sadness in his voice. "What about spending time with me right now?"

"He might not always show it, but he loves you. He believes that by creating this amazing future, he's giving you the best possible life."

Wilbur's eyes welled up with tears, "But I just want him to be here, in the present, with me."

Just as he muttered those words, his mom wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. She could feel his tears staining her dress, the way he tried to silence his sniffles and sobs, trying to be the man they always told him he was, but she didn't say anything, silently urging him to continue.

"Sometimes I wish he was still Lewis…" he sighed, "It's just... I miss the way things were during our adventure. I miss when he was my friend. Back then, it felt like we could do anything together. He was so curious, always inventing and exploring, just like me. But now, he's this super important person, the great inventor Cornelius Robinson."

His mother listened attentively, her heart aching for her son's longing. She gently placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, encouraging him to let it out.

"I know he loves me and all, but it feels like he's always busy now with all his inventions. And sometimes, I just wish we could go back to that adventure and be best buds," Wilbur admitted, a sense of disappointment evident in his voice.

Franny's expression softened as she understood the true depth of her son's words. She knew that although Lewis had become a great inventor, it was natural for Wilbur to long for the simplicity of their early days together.

"I understand, sweetheart," she replied, her tone filled with empathy. "Change can be tough, especially when it feels like someone we love is drifting away. But your dad's adventures and inventions aren't just about saving the future. They're also a way for him to create a better world for all of us, including you."

Wilbur looked up at Franny, his eyes reflecting a mixture of admiration and confusion. "But sometimes it feels like I'm not important to him anymore. Like he'd rather be off on another meeting than spending time with me."

"Honey, your dad loves you more than anything. But just like he was once Lewis, he's now Cornelius," she paused, letting her words sink in, "And being Cornelius means he has responsibilities and missions to fulfill. It's a big part of who he is."

Wilbur's brows furrowed. "So, I'm just supposed to accept that things have changed and that I can't have those carefree days with him anymore?"

His mother shook her head, leaning in closer. "No, that's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that you should talk to him."

"But what if he doesn't understand? What if he thinks I'm being selfish?"

"Your dad loves you, Wilbur," she said softly, "He wants to make you happy."

Wilbur took a moment to process his mother's words. She was right. He didn't really try to talk to him, did he? With a deep breath, he nodded, "I'll give it a try tomorrow"

"That's my boy," Franny beamed at him, "Now, go to sleep, it's already late."

Franny kissed his forehead, proud that he talked to her. She knew it was hard for him to let out his feelings like this, afraid of sounding selfish or dramatic, but today he took a big step, and she was proud of him.

Franny walked out the room, with one final glance at her son. As she closed the door, she caught a glimpse of blond hair rushing out of sight, and smiled, knowing she wouldn't have to step in. She went to her room, not muttering a word from the previous conversation, eager to see what happens next.

–

"Five more minutes.." Wilbur mumbled to the person shaking him awake. He groggily opened his eyes to find his dad, a soft smile on his face

"Morning, son," Cornelius said cheerfully.

Startled, Wilbur bolted upright, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His dad? In his room? After what he did yesterday? He was so dead.

"Morning, dad," Wilbur stammered, his heart pounding in his chest, "Am i in trouble?"

Cornelius chuckled, ruffling his son's messy hair. "No, nothing of that. In fact, I decided to take a break today," he said, "How about we go to the beach?"

Wilbur's eyes widened, his confusion fading into sheer joy, "Really?!"

"Just you and me," Cornelius' smile widened, "Now get ready, we're leaving in an hour."

"I'll be there in a minute!"

"Okay then."

And with that, Cornelius closed the door behind him and waited for his son downstairs, knowing this is one decision he will never regret.