My Love Until the Last Goodbye by Alut

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.

have to be thankful for every morning we wake up-

dramatic,"

you've

brought she seems like a good one. Don't waste the

rolled his eyes

married already-with kids, a house, even a business," Magnus

they're 40 to have kids, get married, start the life they say isn't for them at 20," Matthew added, clearly

know Amanda's the right person. We just have a lot of plans,

a life. Time waits for no one," Magnus said, pulling his newly found grandson

with a great- grandchild on the way... or already in your arms,"

like kids!" Lucius said, totally calling

just from a distance,"

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

now at

43-year-old..."

two old men, with all their wisdom, had stopped sugarcoating things a long

more hugs and a handful of unsolicited life advice, Lucius went to see Maurice, who was waiting for

back? I'm going to miss you! I want you to live with us! We're

buddy, don't worry. I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone. But I can't

crouched down to be

brother and said, "As soon as I get back to New Zealand, I see if I can transfer.

really like being

guys too."

५