The Cherished Wife

Noelle was stunned for a moment but quickly composed herself. "Hey, Steven!"

Steven gave a slight nod, acknowledging Noelle. "Hi, Noelle. Where's Charlie?"

"Charlie is inside, and Aunt Nancy is here too," Noelle smiled. She then glanced at the young girl, nodding politely. "Steven, who's this?"

"Elly, aren't you going to greet her?"

"Ms. Noelle." Eloise's voice was sweet. It was the kind that made her instantly likable, completely different from the cold, hard tone she had used the previous night.

Noelle smiled and nodded. "Hello, I'm Noelle Shaw." She then added, "Please come in!"

Noelle led Steven and Eloise inside and handed them slippers to change into. "Steven, please go inside. Elly, you too."

tea. Steven approached and squinted slightly as he noticed Nancy sitting on the couch. The woman before him overlapped yet diverged from the person in his memory. "Nancy." His

resembled the stubborn child she remembered. However, time had softened him

over. "Come here, let me take a look at you. It's been so

knelt beside her, and took her hand. "It's been

as well as I can be at my age." Nancy sighed, studying Steven carefully. "How many years has

me. How have you been all these

great respect to Nancy, letting her hold his hand tightly. "How have you

again in my lifetime. Did you come to Brookville

frowned slightly. "Why didn't you come visit in Cascade City? After all... and this

familiar, but Nancy could not quite place her. "Stevie, is

smiled and shook his head. "Take a closer look, Nancy." Steven stood