The Rainy Morning in Rose Valley
Rain fell in Rose Valley. Grey skies covered the expanse of rose fields, and the scent of wet earth mixed with the fragrance of roses filled the air.
Inside the simple house… in the living room… a fireplace warmed the room. But the warmth of the fireplace didn't touch the little girl's heart. Little Caelan sat cross-legged on the floor, watching the water droplets outside the window.
Little Caelan was currently thinking about what Grandma Dora had said yesterday afternoon when her mother had talked with Grandma Dora at the market.
—
Flashback: Mama Marry Talking to Grandma Dora at the Market at Dusk Yesterday
"Mrs. Marry, your daughter is so cute. I really want to have a granddaughter like Caelan."
Grandma Dora covered her mouth with her wrinkled hands, captivated by the adorableness of little Caelan eating a red apple like a squirrel.
"Caelan, my little daughter, is so cute. I hope Caelan always grows up healthy," Marry said, stroking her daughter's head.
"When Caelan grows up, she'll definitely be a beautiful girl. How about Caelan befriending my grandson? My grandson is a good boy. He loves helping me gather firewood in the forest. He's a diligent boy. I'm sure he'll be reliable in the future," Grandma Dora teased.
Hearing Grandma Dora's teasing, Marry fell silent. She was a little annoyed that Grandma Dora was trying to persuade her to match her beloved daughter with Grandma Dora's grandson.
However, Marry didn't change her expression. She remained calm, hiding her annoyance. She knew her little daughter needed a playmate her own age. So Marry reluctantly asked her little daughter.
"Honey, would you like to be friends with Grandma Dora's grandson?" Marry asked softly.
Marry's clear blue eyes radiated a mother's tenderness and at the same time conveyed a deep loneliness, worried that her daughter wouldn't have any friends her own age, but also worried that she would leave her one day.
Caelan shook her head without hesitation. "Caelan just wants to play with Mommy," Caelan said, hugging her mother tightly.
Seeing her daughter's adorable reaction, Marry breathed a sigh of relief. She smiled and stroked her little girl's silver hair.
"I can't help it, honey. Caelan is truly Mama's daughter."
Watching the warm interaction between mother and little daughter, Grandma Dora smiled, feeling happy for her.
"Caelan is truly Mama's daughter," Grandma Dora said, stroking her chin. She sighed and then looked at Marry.
"Mrs. Marry, your daughter is truly sweet. You are truly blessed with such a sweet child."
Marry looked at Caelan, then at Grandma Dora. She smiled faintly.
"My daughter is a kind girl," Marry said gently.
She continued to stroke her little girl's silver hair.
"But Mrs. Marry, Caelan can't always be your little girl, can she? One day, she'll grow up, go to school, live independently, get married, and then be separated from her mother."
Grandma Dora looked at Marry and then up at the sky.
"No parent wants their child to leave their parents, but as the mother of two sons and two daughters, I've experienced it." Grandma Dora complained to Marry about how hard it was to raise a child.
Hearing it, Marry didn't bother. She smiled... and turned to her little daughter.
"I know it. But now, I just want to live in peace with my little daughter."
Marry pulled her little daughter into her arms and held her tightly, as if not allowing the world to take this little warmth away from her.
—
Back to the Present: In a Warm Home with Mama...
Little Caelan stared out the window at the rain. Dewdrops filled the window, as if she were saddened by the fading joy on the little girl's face.
Little Caelan continued to stare at the water droplets streaming down the windowpane. She still clearly remembered… Grandma Dora's words. And every time she recalled those kind words, her tiny chest felt tight.
Little Caelan turned to her Mama. Her tiny face was clouded, devoid of the smile she usually showed her every day.
"Mommy…" Caelan's voice was soft.
"Hmm?" Marry answered without turning around. She was busy tidying her embroidery while sitting in front of the fireplace.
"When Caelan… grows up… will… won't Caelan be able to sleep in Mommy's arms anymore?" Little Caelan's voice was hoarse.
She looked back at the misty window. Marry's hand stopped. She slowly turned her head, looking at her little daughter, who was staring at the window with a look no little girl should have.
Marry left her embroidery and walked over to her little daughter. She crouched down and stroked her little daughter's head.
"...Why are you suddenly asking that, honey?" she asked gently.
Little Caelan didn't answer immediately. She paused for a moment, hugging her knees.
"Because time keeps passing. And yesterday, Grandma Dora said, Caelan will go to school, then live independently, get married, and then—", Little Caelan sobbed.
"Caelan will be away from Mommy," she continued, her small voice beginning to break.
Her tiny shoulders trembled. Her blue eyes began to water.
Marry's eyes widened, and she immediately embraced her little daughter. She sat down, took her in her arms, and leaned her tiny body against her chest. She stroked her little daughter's silver hair.
"Caelan, honey..." she whispered. "Becoming an adult doesn't mean leaving Mommy's arms."
"But... Mommy will also... leave someday, right?" Little Caelan's voice was hoarse, barely audible.
Marry's body stiffened for a moment. Yes. Sooner or later, the world might call her back. Whether it was from the remnants of old powers or old enemies coming back to hunt her.
But she didn't want her little face to be overshadowed by such worries. She just wanted her little daughter to grow up healthy… and happy every day.
"Caelan," she said softly. "Look at Mom!"
Little Caelan turned to her mother. She was teary-eyed. Her little face was reflected in her mother's blue eyes. Marry held out her little finger.
"Mommy promises. As long as I'm alive… I'll always be Caelan's home."
Marry paused for a moment..."Even when Caelan grows up and has her own home, even when Caelan is a grandmother. If Caelan calls for Mommy… Mommy will definitely come."
Marry's blue eyes stared into her little daughter's blue eyes. Her gaze was soft, radiating the love, sacrifice, and sincerity of a mother for her daughter.
Little Caelan hesitated for a moment... She looked down at the floor… then she looked up at her mother. Finally, little Little Caelan smiled faintly. Her tiny hands trembled as she intertwined her little finger with her mother's.
"Pro— Promise?" Little Caelan's voice was hoarse.
"Promise," Marry said softly and firmly.
Marry kissed Little Caelan's forehead. Then she rubbed her white face against her little daughter's tiny face.
"And you know? Growing up isn't always scary. It just means Caelan can protect more of the people she loves."
Little Caelan's blue eyes filled with tears... she nodded slowly. She took a breath, then hugged her mother tightly.
"Then... Caelan will still grow... but just a little. So Mommy can hug me every night..."
Marry smiled. Her eyes were a little wet.
"If it's just a little... I can accept it. Caelan can grow up anytime. Mama'll always be with you."
Marry patted her little daughter's tiny back in her arms.
The sky outside was still raining, wetting the rose fields. But warmth continues to be present within the humble home… between a mother and her little daughter, who embraced each other lovingly… and they were watched by a warm fireplace.
The world outside may be cold… but the warmth of a mother and her little daughter remains within the domestic space… and once again warms the dark world… at least for today.
—
Caelan's Life Plan Book
The next day, after the rain had stopped, Marry and Little Caelan went to the backyard field. Marry planted pink rose seedlings.
Little Caelan crouched behind her mother. Little Caelan's gaze was serious, like not a child. She was scribbling in a book she had titled "Caelan's Life Plan Book."
Little Caelan wrote on the first page. Her left hand held a white book. Her right hand held the pen her mother had given her when she was first learning to write. She scribbled irregular, almost indecipherable letters on the pages.
Marry continued planting pink rose seedlings in the dewy soil. A few moments later… all the pink rose seedlings had been planted.
Marry walked over to her little daughter. She knelt down and tried to peek at her little daughter's writing. On the first page was written: "Number one: Stay with Mommy."
Marry's eyes widened… then she chuckled. She turned to her little daughter and said:
"Number two?"
"Number two: Be short! So Mommy can hug me all the time," Little Caelan said innocently.
Marry covered her mouth with her elbow. She couldn't help but laugh.
"Then... Mommy will make a hug pillow in the shape of Mommy… so Caelan can hug Mommy every day."
Little Caelan immediately nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes! Mommy doll! Caelan will hug Mommy every day."
Little Caelan turned to her Mommy with sparkling eyes.
"Mommy will make a hug pillow in the form of Mommy for Caelan?"
Marry smiled… she replied softly.
"Of course, honey. Mommy promises to give Caelan a hug pillow."
Instantly… Little Caelan was jumping lightly in the air.
"Hooray! Hooray! Mommy is the best."
Little Caelan was jumping lightly in the air… running around her Mommy.
"Mommy doll… Mommy doll… Caelan hugging Mommy doll… Hooray!"
Little Caelan hummed in the morning air. Mama Marry laughed along, seeing her little daughter's cuteness.
They laughed together. Marry's heart warmed. For a moment... she forgot the outside world and her old identity.
The old world might call her a blood executioner… but right now, she just wanted to be the Mama her little girl hugged every day. And once again… the world felt warm again.