The morning air was filled with the melodic tones of the church bell, ringing grandly atop its steeple as the crowd of Sunday parishioners made their way down the front steps. Sunshine touched Cal's face in soft greeting, and he looked down at his side to see Evelyn blinking against the light. Her Sunday dress was white and with its many pleats and ruffles, she looked like a little flower. A large, starched bow perched in her yellow curls completed the look. Anyone who saw her would think she was the daughter of a wealthy family. Why Caledon Hockley was escorting the little girl was left to speculation, and though the pair received a fair number of curious glances, no one had been bold enough to inquire. Had Cal been home in Pittsburgh, the questions would be never-ending. Thankfully, since his attendance here at Holy Trinity was uncommon, save for the occasional trip to New York, Cal was spared the nosiness of a familiar congregation.
Meeting the eye of his chauffeur, Cal gave the man a nod saying, "We're going to walk home. You can head back without us."
"Very good, Sir." The driver replied.
Cal adjusted his hat and walking stick, and turning to his small companion, said, "Shall we take a stroll? We can go by the Zoo, if you like."
Wordlessly, Evelyn took his hand and smiled, hoping off the last step as her gaze turned eagerly toward Central Park. She still didn't speak much, but her confidence was growing. Evelyn seemed more comfortable by the day, especially when they were together. This gave Cal hope that she'd be open to his offer. And now that his business in New York was concluded, it was time to return home. There was just one last thing to address before they left.
Hand-in-hand they made their way quietly through the park, stopping now and then so Evelyn could point out a flower or stare at the ducks waddling by, giggling when they wagged drops of water from their tails. On this sun-dappled morning, the child seemed happy and content. Cal, on the other hand, was trying to manage the nervous knot that was tightening in his stomach.
What if this went horribly wrong? What if she got upset, or made a scene? Maybe he should wait until they got back to the brownstone and ask her about it all then. And yet…floating amongst Cal's uncertainty was something else that gave him courage. The strange and comforting warmth of…excitement? It was a difficult feeling to explain.
Since receiving Evelyn's adoption papers that morning and holding the official documents in his hands, Cal's sense of happiness and optimism had cautiously returned. This was a chance to make good from a horrendous situation. They'd both lost loved ones on the Titanic. With these papers, and her consent, maybe they could find something akin to family again. Cal still felt hollow, lost and alone, but it was within his power to keep Evelyn from feeling the same. He could give her a place to belong.
Spotting a shaded bench by the fountain, Cal suggested they sit for a while. Evelyn nodded and jumped up beside him. Leaving no room between them, she took his hand again, swinging her legs as she watched the sparkling water bubble and jump between the statues.
"Evelyn," Cal said, drawing her attention, "Have you been happy these last few days, staying with me?"
The little girl nodded yes, giving him a shy smile.
"You've liked having your own room, with lots of toys and pretty dresses to wear?"
"And yummy sweets." She added quietly, her smile widening.
"Yes, and sweets." Cal couldn't help but chuckle. Hearing her little voice had become a special treat, a sign that she was truly comfortable. He squeezed her hand and smiled back at her. Only with Evelyn did it not feel forced.
"I'm glad… You remember what I told you, about how I'm leaving New York tomorrow to go back to Pittsburgh?"
Evelyn nodded and lowered her gaze to their hands. She pulled hers free and started playing with Cal's cufflink.
"Well, I was wondering if you'd like to come with me?"
She looked up excitedly. "On a train?"
"That's right." Cal smiled. "On a train that will take us home."
"Home?" Evelyn echoed, looking somewhere over Cal's shoulder.
"It's my home, yes. I grew up there. And…If you'd like it to be…it can be your home too…"
Her large, round eyes jumped back to his face, those bright blues shimmering with questions.
"Would you like to live with me, Evelyn? At my house in Pittsburgh?"
She deliberated, or just sat silently; Cal wasn't certain that she understood what he was asking. He was about to elaborate when Evelyn whispered, "Aunt Sarah…" She spoke the name so quietly that Cal almost missed it.
He let out a slow breath and looked back at the fountain, as if the water feature held some clue about how to address such a serious topic with a four-year-old. His left hand tightened on the head of this walking stick. Its metal tip taped the cobble stones as Cal considered what to say.
"Evelyn… do you know what happened to your parents?" He asked cautiously.
"They're in heaven." The child responded softly. She was fiddling with his sleeve again, her little nails picking at the grooves in his cufflinks.
"That's right. And…now, your Aunt Sarah is there with them. So, they're together, which is a good thing. But it also means that she won't be here to take care of you anymore…" Cal studied her face, trying to gage her reaction.
Evelyn didn't look sad. Confused maybe. Then she turned to him and asked very earnestly, "Can I visit them?"
Tears pricked his eyes and he smiled softly, shaking his head. "I'm afraid not, sweet pea. Not for a long, long time…But you can remember them and think of them, and know that they're thinking of you. In fact," Cal said, shifting to face her more directly, "I bet, they're thinking about you right now, and saying how pretty and grown up you are." He tapped her chin, making her smile return. "You're very brave, Evelyn. But even the bravest of us don't want to be alone…So what do you say? Should we be brave together?"
The few seconds before she answered felt like a lifetime, but with a little nod of her head, Cal felt his heart leap. "Is that a yes?" He asked, his hopeful smile sounding in his voice. "Yes, you'd like to live with me?" Evelyn nodded her head harder. "Yes, you'd like to go to Pittsburgh and live in a fancy house, and have sweets with every meal?"
She was more bouncing now than nodding, her response a series of giggles as she squirmed against Cal's tickling fingers. "Yes!" She half laughed, half spoke the word, cementing that sound forever in Caledon's memory.
"Then I would be happy to have you." There was so much more that Cal wanted to say, but his heart was swelling in his chest, and everything that came to mind would only over complicate this perfect moment.
"Shall we tell the penguins the good news?" He offered with an arch of his brow.
Evelyn gasped and jumped off the bench. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She cheered, beaming excitedly. As soon as Cal rose, she took his hand, pulling him in the direction of the zoo.