In the Doghouse - Chapter 182
A few days later, Courtney received an even more special gift. She had been anxiously watching the window in the sitting room when the sound of the door opening made her turn around quickly.
“Eddy!”
“Auntie!”
As soon as little Edvard saw her, he hopped excitedly toward her. But just as he was about to throw himself into her arms, he stopped short and stood up straight. He had already heard about her pregnancy and had been instructed not to startle her or ask to be picked up.
The idea of inviting Edvard to the palace had actually come from Richard. With everything on her mind, Courtney hadn’t even thought about it, but he had encouraged her to spend some quality time with her nephew before the winter set in more fully and her condition became more burdensome.
As Edvard grinned, a smile naturally spread across Courtney’s face as well. She tousled his fluffy blonde hair and greeted him.
“Eddy, have you been well?”
“Yes!”
“Good. Let’s sit down—I made some butter cookies for you.”
She reached for his hand to lead him to the couch but then noticed something unusual and tilted her head in surprise.
In one hand, Edvard was clutching a well-worn stuffed rabbit she had made for him. Though it had seemed quite large a few months ago, it now looked much smaller in his growing hands.
Puzzled, she asked,
“Why did you bring that?”
“It’s for the baby.”
“What?”
Edvard walked over to the sofa, climbed up on his own, and sat upright, placing the stuffed rabbit carefully beside him. In a determined little voice, he explained.
“I’ve grown up now, so I’ll give Bun-Bun to help protect the baby.”
“Eddy…”
Touched by his words, Courtney sat down beside him, cupping his small, soft cheeks in her hands.
She had originally made the toy because Edvard was afraid to sleep alone. She had told him that the rabbit would protect him in his dreams, and after that, he had stopped waking up at night or having accidents in bed.
The rabbit had become his most treasured possession, and now, the fact that he wanted to pass it on to her baby made her heart swell with emotion.
She kissed him on the forehead and said softly,
“Even when the baby is here, Auntie will always love you, Eddy. You know that, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
Edvard beamed with an innocent smile, pure as a clear sky.
Courtney pulled over a plate of butter cookies she had baked herself that morning, using the finest ingredients. Watching him munch happily on the cookies filled her with a sense of contentment. She finally gathered the courage to ask him about something she had been wondering.
“How are Grandpa and Grandma?”
“They’re doing well.”
“And your mother?”
“She’s fine, doing well.”
Perhaps this was the best Edvard could answer, being so young. His short replies didn’t ease all of Courtney’s worries. She still looked concerned, and Edvard, sensing her concern, responded with a more thoughtful explanation.
“She’s really okay. Mom reads books with me every day.”
Edvard began to chatter about all kinds of things—how Hendrick had taught him to ride a horse (Courtney hadn’t even known her father could ride), and how he and Patricia had taken a boat ride on the river. Since Courtney had pressured them to avoid public activities, it seemed they were focusing more on simple family moments.
This was exactly the outcome Courtney had hoped for. Now that they had more financial stability, she wished for her family to find contentment in everyday happiness.
But there was one final question that she couldn’t help but ask, even though it was on her mind all the time.
“Do you miss your father?”
“Hmm…”
Edvard rolled his eyes thoughtfully. After a moment of contemplation, he replied.
“I do miss him, but I don’t think I miss him that much.”
“Huh?”
“Mom said that when Dad comes back, he won’t drink or gamble anymore. I’d like to see him if he’s like that, but I don’t want to see him if he’s like before.”
For such a young child, his answer was surprisingly precise, leaving Courtney momentarily speechless. She had been wondering, as the weather grew colder, if perhaps she should just call Frederick back after all.
But here was her little nephew, already so mature, while she, a grown adult, constantly found herself wavering.
Feeling a rush of emotion, she pulled him into a tight hug.
“Auntie?”
“You’re going to grow up to be an amazing person, Eddy. And your dad will come back one day too.”
Surprised at first, Edvard then patted her back gently with his small hand.
“I love you too, Auntie.”
Edvard spent half a day at the palace before heading back to the Devon manor with an armful of gifts that Courtney had prepared for him. She had even included gifts for her parents and Elise.
Later, a letter arrived from Elise, thanking her for the gifts. She assured Courtney that she bore no resentment and that the family was doing well. With that, Courtney felt as though a heavy burden had finally been lifted from her shoulders.
