Baldwin's Mansion
Savannahwoke to the soft light of morning filtering through the heavy curtains, she lay still for a moment, allowing the stillness to settle around her. The mansion felt quiet, almost too quiet, as if holding its breath.
She pushed back the blankets, feeling the chill of the air against her skin as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. Each step toward the staircase echoed in the vastness of the house, a reminder of the emptiness that lingered here.
As she descended, a knot tightened in her stomach. She had made a choice-a conscious decision not to celebrate this year. Christmas had been a time of joy, laughter, and magic, but now it felt like a weight she could no longer bear. Her heart ached with memories that haunted every corner of this place.
When she reached the living area, her breath caught in her throat. There it stood: a tall, unadorned Christmas tree, its branches reaching toward the ceiling, waiting for decorations that would never come.
Confusion washed over her. She had been so certain that she wouldn't want to see a tree this year. Yet here it was, stark and lonely, a symbol of everything she had tried to avoid.
She stepped closer, her fingers brushing against the rough needles, and a wave of emotions crashed over her. The tree felt like a ghost of celebrations past, echoing with laughter that had faded away. It was a reminder of the joy that had once filled this space, now replaced by a heavy silence.
Her heart ached for what had been lost-every ornament, every string of lights, now just a distant memory. She had thought that leaving behind the traditions would lessen the pain, but seeing the tree only intensified it. Confusion twisted in her chest. Was it a cruel reminder or an invitation to remember?
She turned away, needing to escape the weight of it all, but the image lingered in her mind. She had chosen this path, yet here was the tree, silently challenging me to reconsider. Could she really let go of it all? The answer felt far away, tangled in the memories that refused to fade.
Before she could fully process the sight, appeared-Blaze, the man who had become a complicated part of her life. His presence was commanding in his usual all black attire dressed ready for the day, yet there was a softness in his gaze as he stepped into the living room.
She could see the question in his eyes, the way he searched her face for understanding.
"I thought you might like it," he said, his voice low and steady, trying to bridge the gap between them. He took a step closer, his gaze unwavering.
Savannah opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. Shock and confusion warred within me.
"Why would you do this?" She finally managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Because I know how much you loved this time of year. I wanted to bring a little light back into this place, that's all."
His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. Savannah wanted to appreciate the gesture, to feel gratitude for his thoughtfulness, but the memory of her child loomed large, casting a shadow over everything. "But I... I can't celebrate without Theo." She stammered, her heart aching.
Blaze's expression softened, and for a moment, Savannah saw something deeper in his eyes an understanding of her pain that felt almost intimate.
"I know," he said gently. "And you don't have to do it if you don't want it, Savannah. Let's just decorate this tree."
Savannah looked at the tree again, the bare branches now feeling less like a reminder of loss and more like an invitation. Maybe he was right. Perhaps there was a way to honor her child's memory without letting grief consume me entirely.
"No, I don't want to." She cooed as she remebered him again.
Blaze nodded in understanding.
"Alright, Savannah." He reached into his suit pocket, pulled something out, and extended it toward her.
Savannah looked at his palm, then up at him, confusion flickering in her eyes. His face remained calm, almost soft, yet there was an intensity in his gaze.
"This might help you find your way out," he said, his voice steady but laced with an unspoken weight. Though she couldn't quite grasp what he meant, Savannah took the small device from his hand. Its cool surface was familiar against her skin.
Blaze, with his quiet strength and fierce protectiveness, had insisted she keep it close.
"Whenever you're feeling lost," he'd told her, his voice low, soothing, and unwavering, "just listen. It could guide you."
At the time, she had nodded, trying to trust his intentions, but skepticism lingered in her mind.
How could a simple device provide solace for a pain that felt so deep, so raw? But as she stood there, she believed him and waited for it to listen. If it will really set her free?
HealZone Medical
The sterile scent of antiseptic hung in the air, mingling with the faint hum of machines and the distant chatter of nurses and doctors.
Savannah leaned back against the cool wall of the break room, the chaos of the day finally starting to fade. Her legs ached, and she closed her eyes, letting the weight of the world slip off her shoulders for just a moment.
It had been one of those days-endless rounds, urgent calls, and a patient whose condition had taken a sudden turn. Each moment had felt like a rush, a flurry of activity that left little room for breath. She had jumped from one task to another, adrenaline pumping, focused on the needs of others while her own exhaustion piled up.
Now, with the door closed and the sounds of the busy hospital muffled, she allowed herself to breathe. She could still hear the faint beeping of monitors in the background, a constant reminder of the lives they were trying to save, but in this small, dimly lit space, she could finally let her guard down.
Beside her, Bella sipped her coffee, her expression mirroring her own fatigue. "I swear, I'm going to start carrying a pillow around," she joked, trying to lighten the mood. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, even amid the chaos. "At this rate, I might just need it."
Savannah chuckled softly, grateful for her presence. Bella had a way of turning even the most stressful days into something bearable. They had been through countless shifts together.
Today had tested them both, but there was comfort in knowing she wasn't alone in this whirlwind.
Savannah shook her head, grateful for moments like these that reminded her why she loved this job. But today had felt different-hectic and overwhelming. The weight of the world pressed down on her shoulders as they cared for patients who were battling their own struggles. She felt the urge to help them all, but there was only so much she could do.
"Okay, enough reminiscing," Bella said, her tone shifting back to seriousness. "We need to recharge. We've got another few hours before we can escape this place."
Savannah nodded, pulled out her phone to check the time. "Right. Just a few minutes more, and then back to the grind."
They shared a comfortable silence, sipping our drinks as the chaos of the hospital buzzed beyond the break room door. Until Bella had to leave because patients needs a help and Savannah glanced out the window, watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of activity inside.
And she remembered about the thing Blaze had told her, she remembered the Device he had given her and thought if she should go and check it, she watched the clock striking 4:45 PM she still had 10 minutes more, getting up from her seat she walked out to go to her cabin, to get that listening device.
(Rooftop)
The city sprawled beneath Savannah, a patchwork of shimmering lights and distant sounds, but up here, it felt like she was on the edge of the world. She took a deep breath, letting the cool night air fill her lungs, grounding her. The skyline was breathtaking, but her focus was on the small device in her hand-Blaze's device.
Blaze had said it might help her find her peace, but she wasn't sure what that even meant anymore. The last few months had been a whirlwind of chaos and noise, and all she craved was a moment of clarity. As she settled into her spot, leaning against the cool concrete, she could feel the weight of her houghts pressing down on her.
She flicked the device on, the soft whirring sound cutting through the stillness. It felt almost intimate, like a secret shared only between them. She had always trusted Blaze, even when his methods were unconventional.
But what if this didn't work? What if she was just grasping at straws?
"Hey, Mommy, it's me." Is that Theo?
The voice crackled faintly through the audio, and Savannah's heart skipped. "I know things are going to be hard when you listen to this," Theo continued, his voice small yet clear, "Remember if things get tough because of me, or if you feel like your life has stopped, I want you to know—you're not alone. I'm still here, even when I'm not there."
A tear slipped down Savannah's cheek, and she froze for a moment, startled by the rush of emotions flooding through her. Hearing his voice again, so real and close, made the ache in her chest feel a little less isolating. He went on, his words carrying a quiet strength: "Whenever you're ready, remember the moments we shared. You've got the strength to get through this. Your love for me will always be a part of you. Let it guide you, not hold you back, Mommy."
She paused, feeling the weight of his words settle over her. The idea of carrying Theo's memory forward—of honoring him without being overwhelmed by grief—felt like a fragile flicker of light breaking through the oppressive darkness. "You're stronger mommy," he said next, his voice unwavering, filled with a conviction that touched something deep inside her. "And I believe in you."
As the words hung in the air, the tight knot in her chest began to loosen, bit by bit. It was as though he were reaching out from the past, wrapping her in a gentle embrace, reminding her that it was okay to feel the pain, but it was also okay to seek healing. To find joy again, even if it seemed like an impossible dream right now.
"Don't scold the big guy for not giving you this sooner," Theo added with a soft chuckle, "He did what I told him to. And, just so you know, I'm watching if you do!" His voice lightened, and the warmth of his love came through with every word. "I love you to the moon and back, Mommy. Muahh."
The recording clicked off, but the warmth of Theo's voice lingered in Savannah's heart, wrapping around her like a blanket. The room felt quieter now, but somehow, her heart felt a little lighter, a little more open to the possibility of moving forward. This device—this small, unassuming thing—wasn't just a tool; it was a lifeline, a tether to the love she thought she might lose forever.
With renewed strength, Savannah wiped her tears, taking a deep, steadying breath. She wouldn't let grief define her. She would carry Theo's memory with her, and with Blaze's unwavering support, she would learn to navigate the path toward healing, one step at a time.
Author's Note :
Enjoy everyone <3
Hope you're liking it and do let me know if there's something you don't understand.
Have a good day/night <3<3