I'm still at a loss for words. Silence creeps between us, and all I can hear now is Luke's voice echoing distinctly as he teaches Aiden how to swim.
"This might be overwhelming, but I have a feeling that the song may be able to be nominated as the best song of the year in the upcoming Golden Music Awards."
I'm stunned, still unable to believe what's happening. "You're kidding, right?"
Oscar chuckles again. "We'll see whether I'm kidding or not sooner or later. This song is a masterpiece, Cassie. Congratulations."
I'm still holding my phone close to my ear when we hang up, freezing on the spot. My heart beats fast inside my chest.
Have I really done it?
The feeling is so overwhelming that tears pool in my eyes. Thisis the first time that I've made such an accomplishment without Morgan.
It means that what she said wasn't true—that I was nothing without her. It's not true.
She's wrong. I'm still doing great without her. I'm doing tremendously great.
I wipe a tear sliding down from the corner of my eye, put my phone on the bench and walk closer to the swimming pool.
I watch as Aiden swims in my direction with Luke's help. Halfway through the lap, Luke pulls out his hand that was initially resting below Aiden's stomach to support him, and Aiden keeps floating closer to me, still with Luke guarding him by his side.
A proud smile touches my lips.
When Aiden finally reaches the end of the pool, I bend down. He leans on the edge, facing me, happiness skating all over his face.
"Did you see that just now?" he asks, excitement in his voice. "I did it. I made it here by myself. I can swim!"
I sense tears in my eyes again, feeling a great amount of joy and proudness from his achievement—it's even more powerful than the happiness I'm feeling because of my own achievement.
How can it be? The connection I'm feeling toward this child is unbelievable.
"You did it, Aiden." I nod. "You made it."
Aiden flashes me the biggest smile that he has ever plastered on his face.
"You did great. Congra—" Before I can finish my sentence, I feel my hand being pulled forward, and the next thing I know I'm falling into the water with a great splash.
When my head pop backs up from the water, I gasp. I open my eyes, only to find Luke watching me with a playful smirk.
He tsks. "You're the only one who wasn't drenched. It's not fun."
"Luke!" I protest. Unlike them, I'm still fully clothed, and it's annoying.
He splashes water in my direction, and I try to attack him back, but I can barely reach his level of brutality.
"Luke!" I yell, but then burst into laughter.
Luke laughs too, and so does Aiden. Aiden's eyes twinkle as he watches us play. He kicks the water toward Luke while still leaning against the edge of the pool.
Our laughter echoes in the air, and I have never felt so joyful. It's like everything just perfectly falls into place.
I could watch this scene every day. I feel like I'll never get enough of Aiden's laughter, or Luke's loving eyes.
And so I pray that we are going to be likethis for a long, long time.
37
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