Even though Kevin made his decision in an instant, the social worker was uncertain.
She explained softly, “Adoption is no easy feat.” “Especially in a case like this. Because of Elsie’s condition, she needs constant care, and that’s a very time-consuming task. Are you really sure you’re up for it? Given your own… ” She stammered, her eyes filled with sorrow. Kevin nodded calmly. “Even though I don’t have a whole lot of time, I want to give her as much of it as I can. I know what it’s like to feel alone through this.” The worker looked at him for a moment and then nodded in agreement. “You have to be completely certain about this, Kevin, before we start the process. After all she’s been through, she doesn’t trust easily.” That didn’t deter Kevin. In the following few weeks, he visited Elsie whenever he could, bringing treats from his bakery like cookies, cupcakes, and croissants. When she first met him, she wouldn’t even look at him. But his persistence finally won her over. The day came when Elsie finally spoke. It was when he was setting a frosted cupcake in front of her on the table. She asked in a low voice, without making eye contact, “Why do you keep coming here?” Kevin knelt down beside her. “Because I like spending time with you, Elsie. I know how scary it is to feel like the whole world has forgotten you.” She gripped the cupcake tightly with her small hands and gave a very faint smile, the first one.
A Brand New Family
The adoption process was expedited due to the circumstances. Once the paperwork was done, Kevin took Elsie home. He painted the walls of what used to be the guest room a soft lavender, her favorite color, and filled it with books and stuffed animals, turning it into a warm and inviting haven. Their days became a mix of joys and challenges. Elsie learned baking from Kevin. He helped her knead dough and showed her how to pipe frosting. She beamed with pride when she decorated her first cake and burst out laughing when she realized she had flour in her hair. On the other hand, Elsie taught Kevin to appreciate the little things in life, like watching clouds, drawing silly pictures, and smiling for no particular reason. Their bond grew deeper, but so did the weight of the truth they both faced. Kevin’s health started to decline, and Elsie had to make frequent trips to the hospital. Still, they faced it together, never letting despair set in.
This is the birthday wish.
Six months after Elsie moved into her new home, they celebrated her ninth birthday. Kevin organized a small party at the bakery and invited everyone from her favorite nurses to social workers to new friends. When she blew out the candles on her cake, she turned to Kevin. With a cheeky grin, she said, “I made a wish.” He ruffled her hair and asked, “What did you wish for?” She rolled her eyes and said, “You’re not supposed to tell.” Then she added, “But I wished we could be together forever.” His throat tightened. “That’s a great wish, kiddo.”
A Decade of Love as a Legacy
Three months later, Kevin passed away peacefully at home, with Elsie by his side. Just before he left, he left her a note and a gift. The gift was a recipe book with all their favorite baked goods, and the note said:
“You, my dear Elsie, have given me the most wonderful days of my life. Keep smiling, keep baking, and always remember that love is the secret ingredient in everything we do. I’ll always be with you in the things we created together.” Surprisingly, Elsie lived longer than anyone expected. When she took over Kevin’s bakery, she renamed it “Kevin & Elsie’s Sweet Haven,” carrying on the legacy Kevin had started. Every year on her birthday, she made one wish, which was to always remember the man who taught her how to love and be loved, even in the face of life’s toughest challenges.