Autumn Secrets ✓

E p i l o g u e

~ E l s a ~

"But I don't think you got my nose right."

Joshua said, suppressing a smirk while Dennis sent him a piercing glance, pretending to be offended.

"Oh c'mon Josh," I elbowed him slightly, "for a guy who can't even draw a circle properly, you sure are finding a lot of mistakes."

Levi chuckled, "But I'll have to say this," He looked at Dennis, "You did a fantastic job at painting this."

Dennis did not stop from smiling, and I'm glad for that.

"Okay, guys, now it's time to hang the painting on the wall," Asher announced and took over the painting board.

While Ash hung the painting, I noticed his finger with the band-aid.

He then noticed that I was concerned.

"Don't worry, Elsa, it's healing quickly." Asher blinked at me reassuringly.

I just nodded and smiled.

Last week, I started to teach them cooking, and it went pretty well except for Asher; his finger got a cut.

I just didn't want them to feel helpless like once they had been, that's why I decided to teach them how to make food.

I wanted them to live on, even if I wasn't there with them.

They should be strong and should never be dependent on me.

But the good thing is that my boys aren't giving up. They are hardworking and passionate about learning.

I believe that one day, we all will make breakfast together, without anyone getting injured, of course.

I broke away from my wandering thoughts and shifted my attention to the masterpiece Dennis had made.

It was a painting which included his brothers, I and... Hannah.

The way it looked so real yet so dreamy.

We all were together in that painting, which could not have happened in reality.

I'm sure Hannah would've been proud of Dennis.

I saw Dennis wiping away a lone tear while looking at the painting so fondly.

My heart ached seeing him like that. Seeing him cry made us all emotional.

I approached him and patted his shoulder to comfort him.

"Don't hold it in, Dennis," I encouraged him.

He looked at me with a soft smile, "I'll try."

We both knew that it was a process and that he'd have to walk that path alone.

The process of getting over grieving.

"I wish Seth was here too," Asher said with sadness and longing lingering in his eyes.

In all honesty, we all did.

Seth had left to Switzerland last month when he got the job he had applied for.

He just dropped that huge news so casually while we were having lunch together.

When he revealed that he was saving money, I could've never guessed that it would result in him leaving us.

No matter what, I'll always respect and support his decisions. Then again, he promised that he'll visit us once a year and that was something to be happy about.

I hope that he's doing well in a foreign country all by himself.

Recently, I was being lost in my thoughts a little too much.

I snapped out of it and announced that I had a surprise for everyone.

This was on my mind for long, and I knew that I had to act upon it.

As expected, they looked confused.

I made them line up sideways and asked them to close their eyes.

I then pulled out my pouch and took out the buttons that I had bought for them.

The buttons had their first letter overlaid on it - just like the one Hananah had gifted them.

I placed one button each on their palms.

I just stood in front of Levi and did not give him one.

They opened their eyes as soon as the familiar object was placed on their palms.

I answered their questioning looks, "We're going to restart Hannah's shop."

Her tailoring shop had always been a topic, each of us had avoided for a long time but now there was no denying that, we indeed were going to do this. For Hannah.

"I know it's gonna be difficult, but it's not gonna be impossible." I voiced out their concern, "and in the end, it's gonna be worth it."

They looked at me so proudly that if I had died right then, I would die being the happiest person.

Levi frowned after thinking for some time, "Why didn't I get a button then?"

He looked like a lost puppy while the boys shared knowing looks with each other.

I took his hand and placed a kiss on it.

"Because those are only for my brothers."