#Chapter 186: Connections

Ella’s POV The storm had broken by the following morning, leaving behind cool mist settling over the distant hills and a chilly breeze blowing through the treetops. The last of the autumn leaves had nearly fallen, promising an early and long winter. I had taken Lucien out into the gardens for some fresh air, and as I paced the familiar pebbled paths, I found myself instinctively moving toward my favorite cherry tree. I hadn’t even noticed that I’d arrived, so absorbed was I in humming to Lucien, until I looked down from his smiling face to see the stone bench covered in wet leaves. I let out a soft sigh, brushing the leaves away and taking a seat. Lucien cooed, his mouth in a cute little ‘o’, and reached up at the barren branches with grubby little hands. “This tree is much nicer in the springtime,” I murmured, bouncing him in my arms. “You’ll see soon enough. Maybe it’ll be your favorite place one day, just as it was mine.” Truthfully, the thought of Luci