chapter 5

Emily. 

I stop by a familiar doorway. It looks dusty and old. It almost seems as if nobody has used it in years. I frown, why wouldn't anyone want to use the third floor? 

I remember Eliza and Richard always making plans for a sky light or something similar so why not do it since I've left? I bet if I had to walk up those steps that are behind that door, everything would still be the same. 

It makes my heart ache at the memories that fill my mind, memory's of my own floor, away from drama. Memories with my friends and Archers dad. 

My thoughts stop clogging my mind when I notice something outside the window from the corner of my eyes. I stop in my tracks when a thought comes into mind, a smile forms on my lips.

"Umm. . . you guys go to your rooms. I'll be back just now." I mumble, turning around to go back through the way we came.

"Where are you going mummy?" Archer questions.

I turn around and smile at him, "Outside. Just for a bit." I say.

Archers green eyes light up and he quickly races to me, grabbing onto my legs and sending me pleading eyes. "Can I come with you?" He asks.

Nodding my head, I lift him up and place him on my hip before looking at the people infront of me, I smile.

"We'll be back in a few minutes." is all I say before Archer is screaming with joy as I run down the staircase, making him bounce on my hip. I smile at him and use my free hand to tickle him causing more fits if giggles to escape from him.

"M-mommy, please no no no, mommy!" He wheezes out.

I look back down at him and notice him out of breath, I smile at the sight. "Okay fine, I'll catch you later though." I say while I poke his cheek.

"It's a tree!" Archer screams once we're in the back yard. "It's so big, and green and big." He mumbles out in awe. "And big and, and leafy." He sighs.

I let out a loud laugh at his words. "Yeah, you like it?" I ask, he nods his head. "When I was smaller, I use to come out here and play underneath it for hours." I smile at the memories.

"You lived here, mum?" His curious eyes gaze up at me.

I nod my head as we move closer towards the tree. "Look, I'll show you something." I point at a spot on the bark. "Before I left for the city, this was my home, baby." I say.

"Why did you leave then?" He shoots another question.

I shrug, "I don't know." I murmur.

"Was it because of me?" He sadly looks down, pouting at the ground.

I shake my head. I reach out to lift up his chin to look up at me, I smile lovingly down at my precious gem. "Never." I kiss his forehead.

I move my eyes away from him towards the spot I was trying to show him earlier, this time though, his eyes follow mines and he let's out a tiny gasp. His eyes shinning with happiness as he reaches out to trace his small fingers along the letters. 

"I drew that months before I left for our home." I inform him, looking down at him and his smiling face. 

His green eyes move up to me and his smile brightens by a brick load. "Did you know I was coming, mummy?" His voice full of wonder and awe as he askes. 

I hug him closer and more tightly and he returns the hug with what little strength he has. "I wish I knew." I mumble as I snuggle my head into his curly locks.

The two of us face the tree as we continue to hug onto each other. My eyes stay trained on the letters that are dug into the bark of the old tree.

Memories of events that happened near, by and under the tree start to race through my mind. I don't realize that I'm silently crying until Archer starts to shift and his tiny hands reach up to wipe away the tears.

A sob comes out with the chuckle that escapes my lips at my little boys kindness and sweetness. 

"Please don't cry, mummy. I don't like it when you cry." He whimpers, placing a light kiss on my cheek and then he snuggles more into me. His tiny hold on me tightening.

Archer is such an amazing little boy, I don't know what I would do without him in my life. Hell, I don't even know how my life would have ended up if I didn't have him and if he wasn't in my life. I can't imagine life without him now that I am him. 

I made a mistake years ago, but I got my little guy out of it and for that I'm forever thankful to my old life and to the gods for sending me something so amazing and priceless. 

"I'm so blessed to have you in my life, my amazing boy." I kiss his head. "You don't know how lucky I am." I murmur, moving my fingers through his dark hair. 

I turn back around to head back inside when I feel the sky getting darker and the wind starting to pick up, but not before sparing one last glance at the trees bark. 

A+E 4 Lyf. 

I smile because no matter what happens from here on out, I'm grateful for my mistakes because I got the biggest prize out of it.