Her Child, My Child

~Chapter One~

I'm sitting on the bench, watching people come and go through the garden. It's spring, so the flowers and plants have all just started blooming. The small bench creaks everytime I make even the slightest movement.

Could use a little bit of a makeover, I thought, staring down at the wooden bench. This garden has been around for decades. Forty years, at least. I just bought the garden three years ago.

. . .

"Yes, and how often would you be able to watch over the garden?" The owner asked, resting his head on his hands. His fingers were laced together, and his elbows were perched up on the desk. I felt a few beads of sweat dripping down my face. I've never been this nervous, but this man was very intimidating, especially with his large and bulky figure.

"A-Almost all the time, sir.." I stuttered, immediately looking away from the man's chocolate brown eyes. "I have a lot of f-free time on my hands.."

"Ah," he hummed, writing something down onto his notepad. I try to make out the blurry scribbles, but then just rub my eyes. "I see. Your name?"

I froze for a second. I cleared my throat, sat up straight, and brushed my ginger hair out of my eyes. "Symphony. Symphony Andrews."

I noticed he gave me a nod before he cleared his throat and put his pen down, taking his glasses off of his face. He put his hand out in front of me, looking into my eyes. Hesitantly, I took his hand and felt him grip it. My eye twitched, but we exchanged a handshake. He pulled his hand away from mine, then reached into a drawer, pulling out a key. This was the key to the gate of the garden. He put it in my hand. "Take care of New York's favorite garden," I heard him whisper.

My eyes lit up. A smile spread across my face as my hand gripped the key. I quickly stood up, looking dead into the man's eyes. "I won't let you down," I said confidently before turning around and walking out of the room and through the doors of the building.

. . .

My eyes are closed when I heard someone calling my name.

"Symphony!" I heard the voice again. I slowly opened my eyes and tilted my head up, seeing a familiar face at the entrance of the garden. A smile crept upon my lips, and I stood up, walking towards the friendly face.

"Hey," I said quietly, putting my hands in my pockets.

"Are you okay?" The voice spoke once more. This person was Torbertha Smith--Tory. She was one of my best friends. I grew up with her in Manhattan.

"Hm? Oh-" I rubbed my eyes tiredly, yawning. "Mm.. Yeah, I'm okay." I suddenly felt a small tug on my jeans. I directed my gaze downwards, smiling brighter when I saw a little boy. Tory's little boy. I chuckled a little, kneeling down to his level. I ruffled his hair, "Hi there, Knightley. How are you today?"

A little giggle left the small child's lips. My smile only grew wider. I stood back up, running my hand through my hair. "How are you, Tory?"

"Oh, y'know," she sighed, letting go of Knightley's hand and letting him wander around the garden. "Stressed over work," she muttered, rubbing her eyes.

I gave a small nod, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah.. I get that.." I sighed, glancing away. "How's Edgar?"

She simply responded with a disgusted snarl. "We don't talk about him. At all," she snapped, crossing her arms and turning away.

Flinching slightly, I gave a little nod. "Right.. Sorry."

She shook her head, sighing. "No, I'm sorry. It's just.." she paused, exhaling deeply. "Just out of nowhere, he wants to be a part of Knightley's life! Can you believe that?!" She groaned, rolling her eyes.