“I didn’t know that it would take a while to register and get a copy of the birth certificate, Sir Donald. I’m sorry if you waited too long.” Creighton sighed as he came out of the office while Butler Donald waited for him at the veranda (a part of the office) after helping him out on filling out the forms and led him where to go and wait.

“It’s alright, let’s head now to the company and we can have a rest there.” Butler Donald suggested. 

As Butler Donald drove the car, Creighton was beside the car seat. He was staring at his son’s birth certificate. Butler Donald glanced at him while he was driving. 

“Your son needs a birth certificate once he starts schooling. It is a start of giving your son a better future” 

“Indeed, it is, Sir Donald.” He smiled.

**

When they arrived, Lord Douglas Ashton had already left. Thankfully, they did not cross paths as they did before. After that, the two of them visited Lady Agatha's office. Butler Donald, Lady Agatha's right-hand man, oversaw the household's finances and documentation, both of which are submitted to Lady Agatha for final approval. Further, Lord Douglas Ashton was responsible for all processes and final product quality before garments were shipped abroad.

 “Is this where you work, Sir Donald?” Creighton looked around the office.

“No, this is Lady Agatha’s office, but she never comes here to work because she does not want to tangle with Lord Douglas. I just came here to get the filed documents and bring them to her as she checks and signs them.” 

“I see, so why did you bring me here today?” 

Then, Butler Donald held the flip folder and looked at him. 

“I’ll be honest with you, Creighton. Your work does not end in cleaning the stables, aiding Lady Agatha, and accompanying me whenever we are here. As you noticed how often I brought you here. I want you to learn the entire operations and management of this company.”

“Huh? Why me?” Creighton wondered. 

“Because you will be taking my place when I retire in two years. Lady Agatha does not want Lord Douglas to know that we are training you for this. So, I hope you will understand.” Butler Donald firmly said. 

“But why me? I only know to farm, Sir Donald,”

“Because I trust your ability, Creighton. You are a fast learner and have the potential to excel in every aspect of a task given to you. And Lady Agatha trusts you more.”

“But,” Creighton comprehends for a moment.

“Creighton, do not worry so much. I will guide you throughout before leaving. And, I want to make sure that before I leave, you and Lady Agatha can work together. Not just work, but be together.”

“Huh, what do you mean?” Creighton was suddenly stunned. 

“Creighton, I am getting old. Do you think I wouldn’t notice how you and Lady Agatha looked at each other? I know you are starting to have feelings towards Lady Agatha, but you are afraid to show it because you don’t know if Lady Agatha has the same feelings as you are right now or thinks that she is fond of Liam like her brother, Lord Arley.”

“Sir Donald, I-” looked at Butler Donald, confused.

“Creighton, as I said before, I would be contented if it’s you.” 

“I just don’t know what to do, Sir Donald. When I see how she takes care of Liam, it reminds me of Lucy. If she is here and alive, she would be the one taking care of Liam. But, when I see Lady Agatha’s smile so purely, it reminds me of all the loneliness that she has endured and the words I said to her, that she accepted me to be his confidant.” Creighton nodded, as he flinched both of his hands. 

Butler Donald seems to understand his thoughts and feelings. 

“And, I know Lucy wants me to find my happiness too. So, I do not want to regret anything in the end because of the choices I make.” 

“Creighton, there is no such thing as the word regrets when you fall in love or when you love someone. Most people blame themselves when they shouldn’t. Regret about loving the wrong person, marrying the wrong person, or because they don’t have a choice. When a person heartaches and craves for someone, that’s love and that’s out of the question. When you love and want to be loved, there is no question about it, there are no boundaries to it, and there are no regrets about it. Our thoughts and emotions collide most of the time, but at the end of the day, we still follow where our heart leads us to give us peace of mind.” Butler Donald calmly said, treating Creighton like his own son. (That moment, he became a love guru for the day)

Confused about his true feelings towards Lady Agatha, Creighton did not say a word back to Butler Donald, as he nodded and comprehend what exactly he feels emotionally towards Lady Agatha. He did not want to feel the love with pity or love because of her kindness. He wants to love her overall for who she is and her imperfections. He just needs to have the courage to let it out one day. 

**

Lady Agatha and Ashley were sitting on the vintage bench with a big tree behind that served as a shade. They were in a garden and Liam was sitting on a Vintage outdoor quick-drying picnic mat placed on the grass. Besides them, a wicker picnic basket was half open, as Ashley arranged some tea, Colston bun, and soft bread cookies for Liam. 

Liam was sitting on the mat as he ate the soft cookie while Lady Agatha was sitting on the bench with Ashley having a cup of tea together. 

“Are you having fun, Lady Agatha?” Ashley politely asked. 

As they both sip their tea.

“Yes, I am Ashley. It’s been more than 5 years that I have not been to this place. It’s refreshing and vibrant at the same time.”

“Yes, Lady Agatha. You seem happy now unlike before.” 

“You think so, Ashley?” 

“Yes, Lady Agatha. You never go out in your home office and have always been all by yourself. You never mingle with any of us aside from Uncle Donald. And, you never smile too. It seems you were living in your own world of misery. However, it changed the moment Creighton and Liam came to live in the mansion.” Ashley slightly nodded and smiled while holding her cup of tea together. 

Lady Agatha listened to her calmly.

“I am happy to see you smile again, Lady Agatha.” 

“I guess you’re right Ashley, I was so cold to myself that I did not dare to leave in my own cage. I was living in sorrow and mourning for the loss of my family but somehow Creighton and Liam melted that ice that surrounded me for the last 5 years. I thought Creighton's eyes took pity on me the first time he saw me, but it was a man's sincere worried face that he wants to comfort me even if he does not know me at all.” she caresses the side of her teacup with her thumb.

“Lady Agatha, do you mind if I ask?” Ashley was curious this time. 

“Yes, go ahead.” 

“Do you perhaps at any moment in those times have somehow grown feelings towards Creighton, Lady Agatha?” Ashley politely asked, while secretly glancing to see her reaction. 

Lady Agatha took some time to respond while looking at the almost empty cup of tea. 

“I don’t know if the grown feelings I may have for Creighton is love or just an admiration by how I accepted his request to be my confidant.” 

“A confidant?” Ashley was quite confused about what she meant. 

“Yes, he wants to be my confidant, who listens, protects, and stays by my side at my worst.” 

“I see, but how come you are not sure if it’s love or admiration you have towards him? Doesn't love or admiration have one thing in common?”

Lady Agatha looked at her for a moment, comprehending. Ashley smiled at her and said…

“Feelings, Lady Agatha -” as she modestly continues in her calm voice.

“I believe that when you love someone or admire someone, you feel something unexplainable towards that person that no matter how you think about it, it goes in one direction – a deep and unconditional feeling.” 

Lady Agatha, in disbelief at how Ashley said something unexpected, cheered her up. She reaches Ashley’s right hand and purely smiled.

“I didn’t know that you know so much about feelings, Ashley.” she purely smiled at her. 

“Hehe, I just read it somewhere, Lady Agatha.” Ashley awkwardly smiled, as she slightly scratched her right cheek.

“Well, what you read let me realize something.” 

They both smiled, as they looked at Liam, who from a distance on the mat, slowly stood up using both of his arms to lift him up, balancing himself to stand, as he started to walk one step at a time, towards their direction. 

“Lady Agatha, look!” Ashley was stunned, as she pointed in Liam's direction.

Lady Agatha looked while sitting on a bench (side view scene of her looking in Liam’s direction). She was stunned.

“Mam-ma” Liam called out as he slowly took a step one forward and the other, arms stretched out as he balanced himself not to fall on green grass. 

Attempting to make his way toward Lady Agatha and Ashley, he smiled broadly and held out a cookie in his right hand. The trees sway as the wind blows through their leaves and branches. A few adults and children sat on the mat, engaging in various activities such as reading, socializing, and playing.

Lady Agatha stood up and suddenly bend her knees on the grass with her arms open forward, while the people looked at her in disbelief.

She smiled happily as she called Liam (the background was a vibrant nature with an air breeze, as the trees waved solemnly)

“Come here, my Liam, you can do it, few more steps, and you’ll reach Mama.” She loudly said. 

Liam chuckled and stuttered as she called Lady Agatha, “Mam-ma, Mam-ma,” for every step he took and giggled with a sweet laugh. 

Ashley tilted her head as she felt the warm looking at them (the scene of a mother and son warm love)

Then, Liam reaches Lady Agatha’s arm and embraced her with his cute arms. Lady Agatha embraced him back so sweetly. 

“Great job, Liam. Mamma loves you so much” without hesitation Lady Agatha said, and cuddles Liam’s back. 

Liam softly smiled as he felt the warm embrace of Lady Agatha. 

“Mama, am-am you.” Babbling with words, the expression of love to a mother (Mama, love you) the expression that Liam wanted to say to Lady Agatha. 

For more than a one-year-old toddler, Liam already understands the emotions between his father and Lady Agatha. 

**

Butler Donald and Creighton have just arrived out the Garden Gate. Perfect timing as they get off the car, Lady Agatha carrying Liam with Ashley walking towards the gate. 

“Lady Agatha, I believe it’s Creighton and Uncle Donald waiting for us.” Ashley politely said. 

Lady Agatha looked the same as Liam. 

“Pap-pa, Pap-pa” Liam shouted, clapping his ends.

Creighton, with Butler Donald at his side, saw them come through the gate not too much further away than they are now. Whenever Lady Agatha is within two meters of the gate in front of the car

. 

“Creighton, just stand there.” Lady Agatha said as Liam chuckled.

“Huh, why?” he wondered, slightly tilting his head. 

Lady Agatha looked at Liam, as he looked at her smiling. 

“Are you ready to show it to your Papa?” 

Liam claps and chuckled loudly (expressing agreement)

“Show me what?” Creighton said still wondering as he looked at them. 

“Don’t be such a haste, Creighton.” Lady Agatha teased as she puts down Liam. 

Creighton, still bewildered, stared at Liam, who was seated on the floor. Liam, calling him "Papa," swayed as he attempted to steady himself. As they smiled at Creighton, Liam looked up at Lady Agatha. 

“Go now Liam, show Papa what you learned today.” Lady Agatha said as she slowly let go of Liam’s right hand. Liam looked in his father’s direction. 

“Pap-pa.” Liam bragged as he took one step of the other walking towards his father, in his thought (Do you see Papa. I can walk Papa) 

Creighton in surprise, his eyes widened, as Butler Donald too was happy to see that finally, Liam starts to walk. 

Like Lady Agatha, Creighton kneeled, and open his arms forwards, as he waits for his son to reach him walking all by himself, with a teary eye on his tender look face. 

When Liam reached him, he gently hugged his son. 

“I am so proud of you, my son,” Creighton said.

Liam chuckled as he was happy to see his father smiles. 

“Pap-pa” closed his eyes as he smiled.