Blessings of Clover

Eve’s small boots crunched against the cobblestone path approaching the park, a bright morning where snow from the previous day had been swept away as spring coming next. 

Eve’s attention was drawn to a small crowd gathered around the old man, sat with a relaxed posture, welcoming smile on his face with a digital chessboard in front of him and one by one, people took turns playing against him, but each match ended the same—with the old man chuckling and shaking hands with his defeated opponent.

"Another win for Grandpa Gray!" Someone in the crowd cheered as the old man leaned back, a playful grin on his face.
"Good game, son," Gray said cheerfully. "I believe you will win next time."

Eve’s gaze fixed on the chessboard. She had seen the game before but never played it herself. Without hesitation, she stepped forward, her soft footsteps catching Gray’s attention.

"Well, look who we have here!" Gray said warmly, his kind eyes meeting hers. "You want to give it a shot, little one?"
Eve nodded, "Can I try?"
Gray beamed, gesturing to the seat across from him. "Of course! Come on, little one. What’s your name?"
"Eve," She replied, sitting down.
"Eve, huh? You can call me, Grandpa Gray.” He said, as the pieces on the board getting on the position by itself. 

The crowd murmured with interest as Gray chuckled and motioned for her to sit across from him. 

Gray chuckled looking at Eve serious face, moving a pawn to start the game. "That’s a good start. Let’s see what you’ve got."

The game began slowly, with Gray occasionally offering gentle commentary. "That’s a solid move," He said when Eve advanced her knight. "You’ve got a sharp eye, kid, remind me of my grandchild."
Eve nodded slightly, her gaze focused on the board. "Why are you playing chess here?" She asked softly.
Gray smiled, leaning back as he considered his next move. "This is my way of keeping sharp when you’ve got as much snow on your head as I do," He said, gesturing to his white hair. "You’ve got to keep your mind moving. Plus, it’s a great way to meet folks like you."

He move his bishop. 

Eve didn’t respond but moved her rook, putting Gray in a precarious position. He laughed "Well, look at that. You’ve got me thinking now. You give this poor old man brain a hard time.."

The game continued, with Gray cracking the occasional joke and Eve responding with small nods or thoughtful moves. As the board cleared, it became clear that the old man still had the upper hand.

Finally, Gray placed his queen in a decisive position. "Checkmate," He said with a tone warm and playful.

Eve frown slightly feeling a bit frustrated.
Gray chuckled. "Don’t look so serious, kid. You played really well."
Eve looked at him, her expression unreadable by the old man. "Can we play again?"

Gray look around them and see the gathered people earlier already left because of their long game. "Of course, let's play again." He said happily.

A sharp, metallic bark echoed through the park, startling everyone around the park, Eve turned her head just as a familiar figure came bounding down the path.
"Piz," She said softly, watching the little robot puppy skid to a halt beside her, its tiny ears twitching excitedly.
"Oh my, what a cute pet you got there." Gray commented.

Behind Piz, Leia appeared, her expression shifted from relief to mild exasperation as she approached. "Eve, there you are," Leia said, her tone firm. "You shouldn’t wander off without telling me."

"Sorry..." Eve respond but still kept a straight face.

Leia sighed but softened when she saw the chessboard and the elderly man sitting behind it. 
Leia blinked, her brow furrowing as she studied the old man more closely. Her eyes widened in realization. "Professor Gray Turner?"

"It is you!" Gray said, a wide grin spreading across his face. "This old man eyes is a little blur, I almost don't recognized you."

Later, Eve’s laughter rang out in the crisp air as she chased Piz around the open field. The robot puppy barked playfully, darting around her while Leia sat on a nearby bench with Gray, watching them with a small, wistful smile. The park was quieter now.

Gray leaned back, his hands clasped over his cane. "She’s a wonderful kid," He said, his voice warm. "You’ve done a great job raising her, Miss Leia."
Leia blinked at his words, her smile faltering slightly. "Thank you, Professor. That means a lot coming from you."
Gray chuckled. "Gray, remember? I’m not standing at a podium anymore." He glanced toward Eve. "She’s got your quiet strength, you know. And that determination, it’s unmistakably yours."

Leia hesitated, her fingers tightening. She felt a weight in her chest, a truth she had buried under layers of guilt and secrecy. But something about Gray’s calm presence, his unwavering kindness, made her feel safe enough to speak. And she knows Gray very well that make him unlike others.

"Professor," She began softly, still unable to call him by his first name as she still hold respect. "There’s something you should know about Eve."

Gray turned to her, his expression curious but patient. "Go on."

Leia took a deep breath, her voice steady. "Eve… Was created. In a lab. At FLARE" She paused, glancing at him to gauge his reaction. "I led the experiment that brought her into existence."

Gray didn’t flinch. His expression remained gentle, his gaze steady. "I see," He said simply.

Leia’s heart raced, but she pushed on. "The project was supposed to be about advancing artificial life into creating a perfect human to avoid extinction. But, something changed. She wasn’t just a project to me anymore. She was alive. A child. I couldn’t let her become an object for further experiments."

Gray nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. "So, you made a choice."
Leia nodded. "I sabotaged the project. I faked its failure and took Eve home. I don’t know if what I did was right or wrong. I just… I don't know."

For a moment, the only sounds were the rustling leaves and Eve’s laughter in the distance. Gray finally spoke, his voice calm and thoughtful. "Leia, I’ve known you for years. You’ve always been someone who thinks carefully, who acts with purpose. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong in what you did, only what felt true to you."

Leia looked up at him, her eyes searching. "You don’t… doubt me? Or think I was selfish?"

Gray smiled. "Not for a second. You saw something in Eve that others couldn’t, and you chose to protect her. That doesn’t make you selfish, it makes you human. A good one at that."

Leia’s eyes softened, a small weight lifting from her shoulders.

Gray chuckled. “Leia, I’ve been around long enough to know that life isn’t black and white. Besides, seeing how happy Eve is, how much love she’s surrounded by, I think you’ve done more good than you realize." He continue. "Creating a perfect human?" He huffed. "Humans wasn't meant to be perfect. Nobody's perfect."

Leia glanced toward Eve, who was now lying in the grass with Piz curled up beside her. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

Gray leaned back with a knowing grin.

Suddenly, the sound of soft footsteps on the grass broke through their quiet conversation. Leia looked up to see Eve approaching, her small hands cupped together holding something.

"Leia," Eve said softly, her usual calm tone carrying a hint of excitement. She stopped in front of Leia and held out her hands, revealing a tiny green clover with four leaves.

Leia blinked, surprised.

"A four leaf clover," Eve said, she let a sweetest smile. "I found it over there." She pointed toward a patch of clovers by the bench, then looked back at Leia. "It’s lucky, right? I want you to have it."

Leia’s heart swelled as she gently took the delicate clover from Eve’s hands. "Thank you, Eve," she said softly, with a gentle eyes.

Gray chuckled from beside her. "Well, well. Seems your little one knows how to brighten anyone’s day."

Leia then reached out and pulled Eve close, wrapping her in a gentle hug. "But I think I already have all the luck I need, Eve. Thank you."

Eve leaned into the embrace, her small arms awkwardly returning the hug.

Gray watched the scene with a smile, his heart warmed by the quiet bond between the two. 

"Come on," Leia said gently, standing and taking Eve’s hand. "Let’s head home."

Gray stood as well, leaning on his cane. "I’ll see you both around, then. And don’t be a stranger, Leia, just because you beaten me in chess once back then."
Leia smile. "You help me a lot professor, I won't forget you."

Eve wave her hand lightly to the elderly man. "Bye, bye, Grandpa Gray."
Gray wave back gently then turned his back to continue walking along with his cane.

As Gray made his way down the path, leaning on his cane with a steady rhythm, he suddenly let out an exaggerated groan, stopping in his tracks.

"Ugh… my back…" He winced and bent slightly, clutching his lower back dramatically.

Leia, who had been walking a few steps ahead, turned around in alarm. "Professor!!"

Leia and Eve ran towards him to help followed by Piz.

"The joints… They betray me!" Gray raise his cane in annoyance.

Gray slowly shuffled through the front door of his cozy home, still nursing his sore back. He groaned as he kicked off his shoes and settled into his armchair with an exaggerated sigh of relief.

"Welcome back, Grandpa Gray," A soft voice coming from the living room, Eden who is still in her school uniform.
She walked towards Gray giving a helping hands.
"No need to give me a helping hand, your leg and my back are no different." He said.
"I managed to become a pro in everything because of this leg, your back can't do that." She answered while helped him to sit on the couch.

"So? How was your day, grandpa?"

Gray’s grin widened as he remembered the afternoon. "I met a very bright child today. You’d like her. She’s kind and sharp, and she’s got this calm presence. Very different from most kids her age."

"That is nice, what's her name?" Eden asked with curiosity.

A silence between them as Gray turned down with a defeating smile.
"I forgot."
"Of course." Eden replied