Where Hearts Feel at Home
(Ophelia's POV)
Saturday mornings had always belonged to the children.
No matter how busy life became, Ophelia never missed a visit to St. Anne's Children's Home. It had become more than a place to volunteer; it had become a promise she made to herself after April's death.
If she couldn't save her sister...
She would spend the rest of her life making sure someone else's child smiled.
She parked outside the cheerful cream-colored building just before ten o'clock.
The back seat of her SUV was filled with sketchbooks, watercolor paints, crayons, puzzles, storybooks, and cartons of juice.
The security guard smiled the moment he saw her.
"Good morning, Miss Ophelia."
She smiled back warmly.
"Good morning, Mr. Musa. How have the children been?"
"They've been asking if today is Saturday since Wednesday."
She laughed.
"I guess I came just in time."
As soon as she stepped through the gate, a chorus of excited voices erupted.
"Miss Ophelia!"
"There she is!"
"Teacher is here!"
Tiny feet raced toward her from every direction.
Before she could even put her bags down, three little girls wrapped themselves around her legs while two boys fought over who would carry the box of crayons.
"Easy, easy," she laughed. "If all of you hug me at once, I'll fall over."
Seven-year-old Zara folded her tiny arms dramatically.
"You promised you'd teach me how to paint butterflies."
"I remember."
"And Joshua said butterflies are boring."
Joshua shrugged proudly.
"Dinosaurs are cooler."
"Oh?" Ophelia teased. "Then today we'll paint dinosaur butterflies."
Joshua frowned.
"Those exist?"
"They do... in my classroom."
The children burst into laughter.
One by one, they helped carry the supplies inside.
Watching them reminded Ophelia why she loved this place.
Here, no one cared about wealth, status, or appearances.
The children only cared that she came back.
That she kept her promises.
And she always did.
Nearly an hour later, the recreation hall had transformed into a sea of color.
Paint palettes covered the tables.
Children giggled as they splashed bright blues, sunny yellows, and deep reds onto blank canvases.
Ophelia moved from table to table, encouraging each child.
"I love your rainbow."
"That's a very brave lion."
"Look at those flowers! They're beautiful."
As she bent to help a little boy hold his paintbrush correctly, she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"I knew I'd find you surrounded by art."
Her hand froze.
That voice...
She turned slowly.
Standing near the doorway, dressed casually in dark jeans and a navy shirt, was Ethan.
In one hand he carried two large cartons labeled Educational Supplies. In the other was a football tucked beneath his arm.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Then Ophelia smiled.
"You."
He grinned.
"You sound disappointed."
"I was going to say surprised."
"I'll accept that."
Before she could say another word, half the children rushed toward him.
"Mister Ethan!"
"You came!"
"Did you bring the football?"
He laughed as they tugged at his sleeves.
"I did. But only if everyone finishes today's activities."
A loud chorus of groans filled the room.
Ophelia raised an eyebrow.
"They listen to you?"
"They pretend to."
She couldn't help smiling.
"So you volunteer here too?"
"Twice a month," he replied. "Mostly sports, homework, and occasionally fixing whatever they've accidentally broken."
"Which is often," one of the caregivers added with a chuckle.
The children immediately protested.
"It wasn't us!"
"The window broke itself!"
"The football slipped!"
Ethan leaned closer to Ophelia.
"I'll translate."
"They definitely broke the window."
She burst into laughter.
The rest of the afternoon passed effortlessly.
While Ophelia taught painting, Ethan organized games outside.
Every now and then their eyes met through the windows.
She caught him cheering as a little boy scored a goal.
He caught her clapping proudly when a shy girl finished her first painting.
It was strange.
They had known each other only a short time.
Yet being around him felt...
Easy.
Comfortable.
As if silence between them didn't need to be filled.
Around lunchtime, the children insisted they eat together.
One little girl named Grace looked between Ethan and Ophelia before asking loudly,
"Are you two married?"
The entire room went silent.
Ethan nearly choked on his water.
Ophelia blinked in surprise.
Then everyone laughed.
"No, sweetheart," Ophelia said gently.
Grace tilted her head.