My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Maximus had come to understand something important—so much of what makes

a family strong lies in its core: the father and the mother. He'd seen it with his own eyes, experienced it with his father, and once with his grandmother.

After a long, yet somehow short, time lingering around the table, the moment to say goodbye finally arrived. It was one of those goodbyes that felt strange, one nobody wanted to say. Both Maximus and Lucius weren't ready for it, but it had to happen.

They'd made a promise, and they were men of their word. So, with heavy hearts, they put on their grown-up faces and smiled.

"Lucius..... Before you go, once you've said goodbye to everyone, come see me in the study. I'll be waiting for you there," Maximus said, trying to swallow the lump in his throat.

"Okay, Maximus," the young man replied.

The first to say their goodbyes were the old-timers, Matthew and Magnus, who, with their many years of wisdom, knew this was just a temporary farewell.

They trusted that time would do its thing and that the young man would be back before anyone even realized it.

What they didn't know was whether they'd still be around when he returned. Because, truth be told, this wasn't a boy anymore-not even a young man. He was a man. And maybe they wouldn't live to see him become what he was clearly destined to be a judge.

He never said it outright, but his actions showed it: he would be the first judge to carry the Evans name with pride.

"Alright, kid..." Matthew said, placing his hands on Lucius's shoulders. "We hope you come visit soon. Christmas break would be a good time."

"No! Not then-we already agreed we're going to Las Vegas," Magnus said, completely serious.

"Oh, right! Our schedule's packed for that trip. Well, come whenever you can. Hopefully before one of us drops dead and you only make it to our funeral."

"Don't say that..." Lucius said, a little surprised at how casually they talked about death.

"What? At our age, we just have to be thankful for every morning we wake up- and every night we don't kick the bucket."noveldrama

"You guys are so dramatic," the young man said, smiling.

"You'll get it once you're our age. But you've got a long way to go," Matthew added.

"Yep, still got many years ahead of you. Hey, that girl you brought she seems like a good one. Don't waste the chance. Think about a future with her," Matthew said, nudging him with his elbow.

Lucius just rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"If I were you, I'd be married already-with kids, a house, even a business," Magnus said seriously.

"But kids these days-they wait till they're 40 to have kids, get married, start the life they say isn't for them at 20," Matthew added, clearly speaking from experience.

"Alright, alright, don't worry. I know Amanda's the right person. We just have a lot of plans, and there's still a long road ahead..."

"No excuses... Go start a life. Time waits for no one," Magnus said, pulling his newly found grandson into a hug.

"Take care, alright? We hope to see you soon-and maybe with a great- grandchild on the way... or already in your arms," Matthew added.

"You guys don't even like kids!" Lucius said, totally calling them out.

"We do just from a distance," Magnus replied.

"Exactly! And don't take too long. I don't want to miss out on meeting my great-grandkids. Don't end-up like Theodore, who's getting married now at his age-to a beautiful

now at

43-year-old..."

Lucius shook his head, smiling. Those two old men, with all their wisdom, had stopped sugarcoating things a long time ago.

After a few more hugs and a handful of unsolicited life advice, Lucius went to see Maurice, who was waiting for him with one of his toy cars.

"Lucius, when are you coming back? I'm going to miss you! I want you to live with us! We're a family-you should be here..."

"Hey, buddy, don't worry. I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone. But I can't drop school again."

Lucius crouched down to be eye

level with his little brother and said, "As soon as I get back to New Zealand, I see if I can transfer. schools. I can't promise anything, but

try... I really like being with you

guys too."

५

"Thanks, bro! Here," Maurice said, handing him one of his cars.

"For me?"

"Yeah, but just borrowed. When you come back, you have to give it back to me. My collection's not complete without it.

Just like the house-it's not complete without you and Amanda..." the boy said through tears.

Lucius stood and scooped him up like a baby.

"My little guy... I promise I'll do

everything I can to come study here.

I don't want to be far from you

anymore," he said, trying to keep his voice from cracking.

"Now, sweetheart, I've still got more people to say goodbye to, okay?"

"Okay... I hope I see you soon, brother..."

"You will. I promise."

Lucius didn't know it yet, but sooner or later, he'd be back for good... though not

for the reasons he expected.