Chapter 8: A Starry Night

Thomas Sawyer was born on a starry night, when the warm summer breeze caressed the leaves of the trees and the scent of jasmine filled the air. In a hospital room lit by a dim, soft light, the cry of a newborn resounded loudly, filling his parents' hearts with indescribable emotion.

Scott Sawyer looked at his son with a mixture of wonder and devotion. His features were delicate, with a serene expression that contrasted with the intensity of what he felt. Beside him, Rose, holding little Thomas to her chest, wrapped him in her warmth, with her love.

"He's so small and perfect," Rose whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. Gently, she ran her fingers over the baby's tiny hand, as if she feared it was a fading dream.

Scott, gasping for breath, leaned over to kiss his wife's forehead. Then, with his fingertips, he brushed his son's rosy cheek.

"I never imagined I could feel something so big," he murmured. He was silent for a moment, as if searching for the exact words, and then whispered, "I promise that I will do everything in my power to teach him, to protect him..."

He stared at his son's face, marveling at his fragility and purity.

"To make him a strong and just man. A hero in the true sense of the word."

The next day, as the sun barely peeked over the horizon, Scott rose with a clear purpose in his heart. He stood for a moment watching Rose and Thomas, who were sleeping peacefully in bed. His son, so small and helpless, was now the center of his world.

He knew that his mother, Elizabeth, had dreamed of this moment for years. She had been present in each of his achievements, celebrating each step with pride and unconditional love. Now, her greatest desire was to meet her grandson, to hold him in her arms, to feel his warmth. Scott didn't want to wait any longer, not after all she'd done for him.

When Rose woke up, Scott took her hand with a smile.

"Today is the day," he whispered tenderly.

Rose smiled back at him and looked at Thomas, who was beginning to move gently in his crib.

"Yes, it's the day. I know how important this is to you... and for her."

Scott nodded and leaned over to kiss his son's forehead.

"We're going to take him to my mother. I will make your greatest wish come true."

Hours later, Elizabeth's mansion glowed in the golden light of the evening. The air was permeated with the sweet scent of the flowers in the garden. In the great hall, Elizabeth waited anxiously, her hands trembling with excitement. When Scott and Rose walked through the door with little Thomas in their arms, the old woman's eyes filled with tears.

"Mother," Scott whispered, moving closer to her.

Elizabeth covered her mouth with one hand. Her chest rose and fell with the intensity of the moment. Her eyes, which had seen so much in life, had never felt so full of love as they did now.

"I don't believe it... He's beautiful," she whispered in a broken voice. She stretched out her arms carefully. "Can I...?"

Scott nodded and, with the delicacy of one who hands over the most valuable treasure, placed little Thomas in his grandmother's arms. Elizabeth cradled him with the same tenderness with which she had once cradled Scott.

"Welcome, my little angel," she whispered, brushing her nose against the baby's.

Thomas looked at her with curious eyes and, as if recognizing the love in her eyes, smiled and let out a sweet chuckle.

Rose, moved, clung to Scott's arm.

"I never imagined this moment would be so perfect," she said with a warm smile.

Elizabeth looked up, still with tears in her eyes.

"It's more than perfect, my dear. It's a miracle. This little one is a gift that lights up our lives."

Scott sat down next to his mother and watched her rock Thomas with the same sweetness with which he remembered his childhood.

"You always dreamed of meeting your grandson," he murmured emotionally. "And here he is."

Elizabeth nodded slowly, stroking the baby's cheek with a wrinkled but firm finger.

"Yes... And believe me, son, it has been worth every moment of waiting. There is no greater blessing than to see the fruit of your love grow into something so beautiful."

Thomas began to babble and moved his small hands in the air. Elizabeth laughed softly, bringing her face closer to the baby's.

"You have beautiful blue eyes... But I see in you a special light, little star."

Rose sighed and rested her head on Scott's shoulder.

"It's wonderful how something so small can bring so much happiness," she whispered.

Elizabeth looked at them with pride and infinite love.

"My children, you are starting a new life. With a child come challenges, sleepless nights, worries... but above all, comes a love that transcends everything. It is an unbreakable love."

Scott took his mother's hand and squeezed it tenderly.

"Thank you, Mom. For teaching me what it means to love."

Elizabeth smiled, stroking Thomas's little head gently.

"I will always be with you, guiding you with my love, even when I am no longer here. But for now, let me enjoy every moment with my grandson."

Rose and Scott looked at each other, sharing a smile. In that house full of memories and love, they understood that happiness was found in the simplest moments: in the wrinkled hands of a grandmother holding the new life of her family.

──•─•──•✦•──•─•──

Five years had passed since that day Elizabeth met her grandson. From a young age, Thomas Sawyer showed a special spark. His hair, like his father's, was a dark brown that reflected the sunlight with golden sparkles, and his blue eyes radiated a curious, intense glow.

During that time, every moment by his side had been a gift. From his first babbles to his first steps, she had been there, celebrating every little achievement of Thomas's with the same excitement with which she once celebrated Scott's. She had watched him grow up, laugh, and explore the world with the same curiosity Scott had at his age.

He was a child full of energy and questions, always running around, exploring every corner, touching everything within reach. His laughter echoed in every room, filling the house with life.

"Mommy, look!" he shouted excitedly, lifting a star-shaped tree leaf. "It's a magic leaf! I'm sure it can grant wishes."

Rose watched him tenderly and leaned over to hug him, resting her cheek against his tousled hair.

"My shooting star," she whispered, "always in motion, always illuminating everything in its path. Never stop seeing magic in the little things, my love."

In the scientist Scott's workshop, his curiosity ignited like an uncontrollable fire. The place was filled with strange tools, blueprints, and artifacts, each with a story to tell. Thomas, with his little hands covered in grease and his eyes shining with excitement, was determined to learn everything.

"Dad, how does this work?" he would ask frequently, pointing to the pieces of metal Scott used in his inventions.

Scott, with a smile, sat down next to him and answered patiently.

"Every machine has a purpose, son," he explained, turning a gear slowly so Thomas could see how it fit into its system. "But the most important thing is the intention with which we create it. Science can change the world, but only if it's used with the right heart."

Thomas was silent for a few seconds, as if analyzing every word. Then, with a mischievous smile, he nodded energetically.

"Then I want to do things that help people, just like you, Dad."

Scott let out a light laugh and ruffled his son's hair lovingly.

"I'm sure you'll do even greater things, Thomas."

The nights at the Sawyer house were full of stories and affection. Rose loved to read stories to Thomas before bed, while he snuggled up on her lap. Her soft, melodious voice created magical worlds where heroes always found their way, no matter the obstacles. From the doorway, Scott watched them in silence, a smile of love painted on his face as he saw his wife and son sharing those precious moments.

"You must always remember, my love," Rose whispered, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead, "that a person's true strength is not in his muscles, but in his heart."

As Thomas grew older, his bond with his parents grew stronger. He spent entire afternoons with Scott in the workshop, learning about science and mechanics, while with Rose he shared days in the woods, exploring nature, climbing trees and feeling the wind on his face. They also enjoyed afternoons in the kitchen, ending up covered in flour and laughing nonstop.

His grandmother's house had become his second home, a refuge full of love and warmth, where he always found sweets, hugs, and magical stories before sleeping.

One sunny afternoon, Thomas was running through the garden of Elizabeth's mansion, laughing as he chased butterflies. From the porch, Elizabeth watched him tenderly, while Scott and Rose chatted beside her.

"Grandma, look! I'm going to catch a butterfly!" Thomas exclaimed with excitement.

Elizabeth laughed sweetly.

"They're fast, my love, but I'm sure if you're patient, one will come to you."

Scott, sitting on the porch steps, smiled at seeing his son so happy.

"I remember when I was his age... I also spent my afternoons exploring everything," he said wistfully, looking at his mother.

"And you were just as restless," Elizabeth replied with a mischievous smile. "But tell me, what was your favorite game when you were little?"

Scott thought for a moment and looked at Thomas.

"I loved playing inventors. I built small appliances with anything I found at home: old gears, cables, loose parts. I imagined that I created incredible machines to help people."

Thomas, his eyes shining with excitement, ran to his father.

"I want to play inventors, Dad! Can we? You too, Grandma?"

Elizabeth feigned surprise, putting a hand to her chest.

"Me? An inventor? That sounds fascinating!" she said dramatically. "But I'll need some special glasses and a notebook to jot down all our cool ideas."

Rose, observing the scene tenderly, stood up and kissed her son's forehead.

"I'm going to get paper and pencils. Every inventor needs to make his plans," she said before entering the house.

Scott took Thomas' hand and lifted him into the air, eliciting laughter from the boy.

"All right, little inventor, our mission is to create something that will make Grandma Elizabeth smile. Are you ready?"

"Yes!" Thomas shouted excitedly.

Elizabeth laughed, feeling in her heart that these were the most precious moments of her life. No matter how many years passed, her family would always be her greatest treasure.

──•─•──•✦•──•─•──

The following year, at the end of February, the tranquility of the afternoon was shattered by the deafening sound of the telephone.

Scott, who until a few seconds ago was enjoying a rare moment of peace, felt a chill run down his spine as he answered.

"Mr. Scott?" The voice on the other end was firm, but charged with unsettling compassion.

A heavy heartbeat rumbled in his chest.

"Yes, it's me," he answered, feeling his stomach sink into an invisible abyss.

"I regret to inform you that your mother Elizabeth Greyber has suffered a cardiac arrest. She is in intensive care. Her condition is critical."

For an instant, his world stopped spinning.

The phone slipped through his trembling fingers and he fell to the ground with a thud. His heart was pounding so hard that he could hardly hear anything else. The air became thick, oppressive. The walls seemed to close in on him.

"No... it can't be—" he murmured; his breath ragged.

A few feet away, Rose watched as the color disappeared from her husband's face. His expression, once relaxed, had become unrecognizable.

She approached cautiously and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Scott," she whispered sweetly. "What's wrong?"

Scott couldn't speak. A lump tightened in his throat, and a battle between denial and reality raged in his chest.

Then, in a desperate impulse, he clung to Rose in an embrace that contained his fear, his pain, and his helplessness.

It lasted only a second.

He broke away abruptly and ran to the door without saying a word.

"Scott!" Rose called, but he was gone.

The silence that remained was interrupted by a small voice.

"Daddy? What's going on?"

Six-year-old Thomas watched him wide-eyed, holding his stuffed robot tightly.

Rose reacted quickly. She crouched down next to him and stroked his hair, without taking her eyes off the door.

"I don't know, my love," she said in a soft voice. "Dad got a call and we have to go with him."

Thomas frowned.

"Where are we going?"

Rose took a deep breath and looked him in the eye, looking for the best way to explain it.

"We're going to follow him and make sure everything is okay. All right?"

Thomas hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and took his mother's hand.

And together, not knowing exactly what awaited them, they went after Scott.

──•─•──•✦•──•─•──

Scott took the car keys out of his pocket, got in quickly, and started it. As the engine came to life, Rose followed with Thomas by the hand. As soon as they closed the doors and settled into their seats, Scott started the car with blind fury.

The engine roared. The tires squealed against the asphalt as it merged onto the road. His hands gripped the steering wheel with such force that his knuckles turned white. His eyes were fixed on the road, but his mind swirled between memories and suffocating anguish.

"Scott!" Rose exclaimed, holding on to the dashboard. "Please tell me what's going on!"

Scott swallowed. His throat felt like it was burning, as if a knot impossible to undo had settled in his chest.

"My mother... she suffered a stroke," he managed to say, his voice breaking. "She is in critical condition."

Silence settled between them like a heavy presence.

Rose put a hand to her mouth, her heart pounding with pain. She looked at Scott and saw the reflection of his suffering in the tightness of his jaw, in the way his chest rose and fell in despair.

"What is a stroke?" Thomas interrupted from the back seat.

Rose turned her head toward him, trying to find the right words.

"It's when a person's heart gets very tired and needs help to keep beating."

Thomas frowned, thoughtful.

"But the doctors will help her, won't they?"

Rose gave him a reassuring smile.

"We hope so, my love."

The hospital appeared on the horizon, but for Scott, the distance still felt endless. As soon as he braked the car, he jumped out without even closing the door.

Rose quickly got out, helping Thomas down. Then she took his hand tightly and hurried after Scott.

He ran with a speed driven by panic, dodging people who barely managed to get out of the way in time.

"My mother! Elizabeth Greyber! Where is she?" His trembling voice filled the hospital lobby.

The receptionist looked up, surprised by his desperation.

"Sir, please, calm down—"

But Scott didn't have time for protocols. His eyes scanned the area until he saw a doctor in a white coat. He rushed toward him and grabbed him by the arms.

"Tell me where my mother Elizabeth Greyber is!" he begged, his eyes full of despair, his breathing heavy.

The doctor held his gaze regretfully.

"She's in room 307, but... her condition is very critical. We don't know if she'll be able to hold on much longer."

Scott didn't hear anything else. He barely registered the room number before taking off. His footsteps echoed in the hallway as his heart pounded with terrifying fury.

Rose, along with Thomas, arrived seconds later, trying to get answers.

"Please... Elizabeth's room—" she asked, her voice breaking. But the nurses were busy, and no one responded immediately.

Thomas watched everything with wide eyes. Rose felt his small hand tremble in hers. She bent down and smiled sweetly at him, stroking his cheek.

"We're going to be okay, my love," she whispered.

Scott reached the fourth floor and stopped in his tracks.

The air left his lungs in a breathy gasp.

His mother lay in bed, frail, hooked up to monitors and tubes that beeped in an irregular rhythm. But when their eyes met, everything else disappeared.

That look, full of unconditional love, enveloped him with the same warmth as always.

"Mom..." His voice broke.

He took one step, then another, until his legs failed him and he fell to his knees by the bedside. His hands reached for hers, clutching them with desperate intensity.

Elizabeth, with enormous effort, lightly squeezed his fingers. A faint smile appeared on her face, a gesture that said more than any words.

Scott's tears fell like rain on the sheets. His mind filled with memories: his childhood, her hugs, her words of encouragement.

And in that moment, he knew.

He had succeeded. He had made her happy.

Elizabeth took a deep breath, with what little strength she had left, and in a whisper that contained centuries of love, she said:

"I love you, son... thank you..."

Scott sobbed hard, leaning his forehead over her hand.

"I love you more, Mom... Thank you for everything... For never leaving me alone..."

Elizabeth's eyes closed slowly. Her hand lost strength, slipping from her son's grasp.

Then, the beep of the monitor became a sustained and sharp sound.

"No... no... Mom..." Scott rested his head on her chest, his heart-wrenching cry filling the room.

At that moment, Rose came to the door with Thomas by the hand. Her eyes widened as she saw Scott collapsed on his mother's lifeless body.

Without hesitation, she approached Thomas and hugged him with all her might.

Scott felt her warmth—a warmth that reminded him of his childhood, of his mother's arms wrapping around him after a bad day.

The tears kept falling, but in his heart, anguish began to transform into serenity.

He knew that his mother was at peace, that she had left with the certainty that her son loved her.

He clung to Rose, clinging to his future as well. He kissed her on the forehead and, his voice still trembling, murmured:

"Let's go on, Rose... We still have a long way to go."

Thomas, feeling the weight of the moment, timidly approached and hugged his father around the waist.

"Daddy... Grandma is watching us from heaven?"

Scott felt his chest tighten, but managed to crack a slight smile.

"Yes, son. She will always be with us."

Thomas nodded and squeezed his father's embrace tighter, seeking solace in his warmth.

──•─•──•✦•──•─•──

They drove in silence. The road ran through tree-covered hills that swayed in the night breeze. The sound of the engine and the distant chirping of crickets were the only witnesses of the journey.

Scott held one hand steady on the steering wheel and with the other held Rose's, intertwining his fingers as if afraid to let go. In the back seat, Thomas stared out the window at the reddish sky, hugging his stuffed robot.

"Daddy... where are we going?" Thomas asked in a soft voice.

Scott glanced briefly in the rearview mirror and sighed.

"To a special place, son. A place your grandmother took me to many years ago."

When they arrived, the lake stretched out majestically before them, reflecting a sky full of stars. The moon drew its glow on the water, illuminating the landscape with a silvery glow. Scott turned off the engine and stared at the horizon, letting the peace of the place envelop him.

They got out of the car without letting go of their hands and walked to the shore, where the wet grass felt cool under their feet.

"Here it is," Scott murmured, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

Rose squeezed his hand, looking at him tenderly.

"This place is beautiful, Scott. I can feel how important it is to you."

Scott nodded. His eyes clouded with emotion.

"My mother brought me here when I felt that all was lost. She told me that life will put obstacles in our way, that sometimes we will feel like we can't move on, but that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. She taught me that it doesn't matter how many times I fall, but how many times I decide to get up."

He looked at the lake and its reflection in the water.

"And now, as I stand here, I remember her words and I know that I have to move forward, without fear, with determination."

Thomas, who had until then remained silent, walked up to his father and took his hand.

"Was this your favorite place?" he asked curiously.

Scott smiled tenderly and bent down to be at his son's level.

"Yes, it was. Here I shared beautiful moments with her... And it was here that she taught me to never give up."

Thomas looked at the lake and then at his father.

"So now it's our favorite place too."

Scott felt his heart tighten with emotion. He ruffled Thomas's hair lovingly before standing up again.

Rose stroked his cheek gently, her thumb circling his skin.

"She'd be proud of you," she whispered. "Of the person you are, of the man you have decided to be. And I know that, in a way, she is still with you, in every step you take."

Scott closed his eyes for a moment, letting Rose's words seep into his soul. A tear ran down his cheek, but this time it wasn't sadness—it was gratitude.

He looked at Rose and, in her gaze, he found everything he needed: love, understanding, a future full of possibilities.

"I love you," he said, his voice heavy with emotion.

Rose smiled; her face lit by the moon.

"And I love you, Scott. With all my heart."

She approached him and their lips met in a deep kiss, full of silent promises. Scott wrapped his arms around her, clinging to her as if she were his anchor in the middle of the infinite universe.

Suddenly, Thomas hugged his parents' legs, hiding his face in them.

"I love you too," he whispered.

Rose and Scott laughed tenderly. Rose leaned over and kissed his head.

"We love you too, my love," she said sweetly.

The sky darkened even more, and the stars shone, witnesses of a love that transcended time. Together, sitting on the grass with the sound of the lake kissing the shore, they knew that the losses and shadows of the past did not matter.

What mattered was the present.

The road they still had to travel.

And then, like a distant echo, a shadow of uncertainty filtered into the night.

That world seemed unbreakable. The Sawyer house was a refuge of love, teachings, and dreams to be fulfilled.