A vibrant atmosphere in the house might help.
Old Sterling just told the servant to do as Savannah asked.
Kaiden's friends in his kindergarten were invited to Sterling's house on his birthday.
Savannah also invited Joanne, Olivia, Matt, and Jacob to come to enliven the house.
Her grandpa was too busy with his business in Chicago, but he asked a servant to bring a gift to his dear great-grandson.
The light was turned off when the candles were lit.
Joanne smiled and asked Kaiden to make a wish.
The candles lit up the house. Light prevailed over darkness, like hope over despair.
Kaiden held his hands together, mumbled a wish in front of the cake with his eyes closed, and then he blew out the candles.
Savannah gazed at Kaiden's face with deep emotion.
Kaiden was a year older.
Over the past years, he celebrated his birthday with his father only, and this year he had only his mother.
When could he celebrate his birthday together with both his mother and father?
When would Dylan wake up?
She felt too lonely even though she was surrounded by so many kids and friends.
She could finally understand what it was like to have Dylan with Kaiden for the last few years...
He must have been hoping that she would come back to them.
After the lights were turned on, Kaiden, leaning in Savannah's arms, whispered, "Don't worry, Mommy. All I wished is that daddy could wake up earlier. Grandma said birthday wishes are easier to be realized!"
He wiped the corners of her eyes with his fat hand.
Savannah didn't know when her tears began to fall. She looked into Kaiden's caring eyes, holding back tears, and nodded with a smile, "Hmm. Kaiden is a good boy."
After cutting the cake, Kaiden took his friends to his toy room to play.
Olivia and Matt went upstairs to visit Dylan and said a few words of comfort to Savannah before leaving.
Cooper helped old Sterling back to his room, and soon there were only Savannah and Joanne in the living room.
Joanne looked at her daughter and sighed, "Savannah, sit next to me so we can catch up on things."
"Mom, it's late. You've had a long day today with the kids, and you must be very tired." Savannah forced a smile. She knew what her mother was going to say.
"My dear," Joanne held her daughter's hand and said softly, "There's something your grandpa and I have wanted to talk to you about for a long time."
Savannah lowered her head. She knew they wanted her to give up on Dylan and left him.
She couldn't say her mother and grandpa were cruel. They just loved her so much that they could hardly bear to see their beloved daughter have a hard life.
"I know you and grandpa did everything for my good. But I also know what I'm doing. Mom, you can rest assured. I'm sure he will wake up sooner or later," she said with certainty.
"That's what your grandpa and I thought at first, but now..." Joanne couldn't help herself. "It's been almost a year. He would have woken up if his condition wasn't that bad. What the doctor said was not a joke. It would be best if you were prepared... Savannah, you're so young, you can't cost a lifetime on him…"
"Mom, as you say, I'm still young, and I've got plenty of time. I can wait for him. He's my life, without him my world will fall apart. Kaiden and I still have high hopes Dylan will wake up and a bright future awaits us," Savannah smiled and gave Joanne a reassuring pat on her hand. Deep down her heart, pain and suppressed sadness had entrapped, but she can't give up the man she loved.
Joanne couldn't say more.
After Joanne was picked up by the driver, the living room turned to silence. Savannah tried not to feel lonely but without success. She hurried upstairs and walked into Dylan's room.
There was only a low beeping sound from the medical devices.
She stopped at the bedside, gazing at the quiet, calm face of the sleeping man. Tears came to her eyes as she remembered his usual bossy way and his calm, beautiful eyes when he looked at her. Then she thought of her mother's words. She bent down and took his cold hand in hers, murmuring, "Dylan, when on earth are you going to wake up? I'm not begging you! I don't know how much longer I can wait for you. If you don't wake up, my grandfather and mother will take me away. I'm not frightening you! If you still don't wake up, I will leave you and marry someone else!"
Tears gushed from her eyes. She bent over his c.h.e.s.t, unable to say another word—her graveness and sadness at last found expression in loud crying.
She didn't know how long she cried when something touched her arm.
She thought it was the bed sheet or pillow towel, but suddenly she realized that it was his finger. She straightened up and dried her eyes, staring at Dylan.
Had he just touched her with his finger?
In a moment, Savannah jumped up, rushed out of the bedroom just in time to see Jacob talking with old Sterling about Dylan.
They turned to look at Savannah as she came running, panting.
"What's the matter?" Old Sterling asked.
Savannah pointed at Dylan's room, "Jacob, come and have a look. Dylan just moved his finger! It looks like he's waking up!"
They were surprised. Jacob followed Savannah calmly and went straight to the bedside to check on Dylan.
Savannah stood at the door, afraid that Jacob would be disturbed. She was so excited that her heart was pounding heavily as if it were going to jump out of her c.h.e.s.t.
Old Sterling followed them and stopped at Savannah's side, watching Jacob nervously as he examined his son.
Finally, Jacob straightened up, put the blanket over Dylan, and turned around.
Savannah swallowed, not daring to ask.
"How's Dylan?" asked Old Sterling. "Did he move? Is he going to wake up?"
Jacob glanced at Savannah and then at Old Sterling.
"He's still not responding." He shook his head.
Old Sterling looked disappointed and could not speak for a long time.
Savannah found it difficult to breathe.
"No, he just moved! His finger moved! He did touch me, or I wouldn't have noticed!"