"You have your father's eyes," Amelia mused, tucking Olivia's loose hair behind her ears. "You're a beauty, Alexa. Oh, I made a painting for you. They said I will be having a visitor and I knew it was you. My Alexa never forgets to visit me."

"I'll drag Ollie with me next time."

"Really? And my baby too?"

"Your baby?" Olivia tipped her head to the side. So much for lying. Now she was rummaging her head to figure out who amongst her relatives was Amelia's baby.

Hello, everyone! Olivia Sparks' Volume 1 is coming to an end soon. And as a thank you to those who stayed with Maxen and Olivia's story, the cat lady will be giving away $20 google/apple gift card to three lucky readers at the end of volume 1. All you have to do is leave a cat emoji on the final chapter of Maxen and Olivia's story to enter the raffle. Xoxo

Could it be Finn? Or Baby was Amelia's pet name to Henry Lin? That's gross, by the way. She almost gagged at the thought of seeing her parents call each other 'baby'.

Her reverie was cut short when Amelia showed her an abstract drawing of lines and circles that didn't make sense to Olivia.

"See? This is your dad, and this me, you, and Ollie. Oh, the circle here is my baby."

Olivia wanted to rip the drawing into smithereens, but of course, she would do that after her mother agreed to her request.

"This is wonderful. Can I keep it?" Olivia faked a smile although her heart was being shredded to pieces.

"No, it's mine." Amelia hugged the portrait to her c.h.e.s.t as if her life depended on it. 

Olivia felt as if she was losing grip of her mother once again so she coaxed Amelia, "It was so beautiful that's why I asked, but it's okay. You can keep it."

Letting out a breath of relief, Olivia glanced at Maxen who gave her a soft smile.

Their visit went on with a feast. A table was set for them, filled with dishes which Amelia loved, according to her best friend—Queen Isla.

Mother and child engaged in random stories, but most of the time, Amelia would just talk about her friends in the facility.

At the end of their meal, Olivia's numb heart was used to responding every time Amelia called her Alexa.

Seeing her mother's cup was empty, Olivia reached out for the bell-shaped pitcher, but accidentally elbowed her tumbler, therefore, spilling water on herself in the process.

Water stained her shirt and pants, but what bothered her the most was her shoe catching most of the water. She could feel her foot chill as water soaked her socks.

"Oh noooo, you're wet," Amelia gasped. She immediately got off her stool and kneeled before Olivia. Without a word, Amelia peeled Olivia's shoe, then her socks.

"Amelia… Mom… stop," Olivia nervously scanned the room but everyone was caught off guard.

The nurses didn't want to stop Amelia and let her be until she was finished with what she was trying to do. She was harmless anyway.

Watching the scene unfold, Olivia almost yanked her feet off from her mother's grasp when Amelia also removed her other shoe.

Tucking Olivia's wet sneakers in a line beside her, Amelia then slipped her own white hospital slippers onto Olivia's feet.

Going back in her seat, Amelia then hugged Olivia, humming a lullaby in her ears.

Olivia let herself drown in the warmth of her mother's hug, although she knew the kindness Amelia was showing her was for Alexa. 

It didn't surprise Olivia how Amelia treated Alexa as her own. After all, it was Alexa who was Amelia's companion for years.

It would be nice though, if for once, her parents would see her existence or even just her mother. 

Her father ignored her for years. Her mother couldn't even recognize her. She was their flesh and blood, yet none of them truly welcomed Olivia to the world.

Holding every ounce of her tears, Olivia let her mother's lullaby calm her nerves. She then mimicked the strokes and gentle pats of Amelia on her back.

"Don't cry, Alexa. I'm not mad. Accidents happen," Amelia cooed. She released Olivia from her hug and clamped her hands on either of Olivia's arms.

Smiling at Olivia, Amelia said, "And don't think about keeping my slippers." She playfully bopped a finger on Olivia's nose. "Return them to me on you next visit. And bring a xiao long bao too."

Olivia bobbed her head in agreement, and her eyes flitted to her feet. The slippers were smaller than her size but that was okay. She never felt a footwear as fitting as the one she was wearing at that moment.

Unfortunately, all visitations must come to an end, especially to patients like Amelia. Their one hour time limit was gone in a flash.

Even when Olivia wanted to stay more, it was explained to them beforehand that a strict schedule must be followed in order for Amelia to gain back control in her life. Thus, the one hour visitations every weekend, was the only time they were allowed to see Amelia.

Maxen picked up Olivia's sneakers, carrying them with one finger hooked on each shoe on their way outside of the facility.

Before reaching the double doors, Olivia and Amelia exchanged another round of hugs.

"I'll see you again next week," Olivia informed Amelia, whispering the words in her mother's ears. 

She didn't have to say it because she had been a regular visitor of her mother since her admission in the hospital, but she felt as if reassuring Amelia that she would be back, somehow gave her mother something to anticipate over the week.

Olivia peeled herself from her mother's embrace brace, smiling wryly when Amelia gently patted her head.

"Goodbye, Mom."

"Goodbye, Alexa."

Olivia nodded her head. She wanted to stay a bit longer but when she gazed up at Maxen, she saw him mouth the words, "Let's go."

Following Maxen's lead, they were at the threshold when Olivia stole another peek at her mother.

Waving goodbye to her mother, Olivia's eyes suddenly darted to Amelia's b.a.r.e feet, and the sight alone made her heart painfully squeezed in her c.h.e.s.t. However, what took her by surprise was what Amelia said next.

"Alexa! Kiss my baby Olivia for me tonight. Tell her mommy loves her!"