“Something is definitely wrong,” Maris declared, rising from her coral throne. Her mirror showed Adeline resting peacefully beside her mother, but the goddess was anything but calm. Turning away, she faced Eloquen. “It baffles me. I can’t sense any celestial interference, but there must be…” Her voice trailed off, swallowed by a crashing wave.
Eloquen stood, his expression softening in contemplation. He took Maris’s hands, guiding her to a nearby coral bench. “Maris, please calm down,” he soothed. “My charge watches over Adeline. Though no enchantments hang over her and her family, we must remain rational and vigilant. The thinning veil between our realms is troubling enough.”
Maris sighed, her eyes returning to the mirror. “I know,” she murmured, the tension easing from her shoulders. “But the O’Cean matriarch’s health declines rapidly, and fears for her sons grow each day. Adeline carries such a heavy burden. She’s strong, yet even the strongest have their breaking points.”
Eloquen nodded, the ocean’s light reflecting in his eyes. “Indeed, Adeline has weathered many trials recently. But she is not alone; she has my charge and her De Kure grandfather, whom Aelius himself guides and protects. Even if Feronia were manipulating events from afar, our vigilant watch should safeguard them.”
“I thought we were past the worst,” Maris confessed, frustration evident in her voice. “Yet now it seems we teeter on the edge of another storm. As the goddess of fertility, Feronia’s influence is subtle and hard to detect. Could she be meddling with Aria’s children?”
Eloquen’s expression grew thoughtful. “Feronia’s magic is indeed insidious, often cloaked as natural occurrences. If she is involved, we must tread carefully to maintain the balance we’ve upheld.”
Maris shook her head, her eyes mirroring the storm of desperation within. “Simply watching isn’t enough. Adeline is at a critical juncture.”
Eloquen cut her off, standing abruptly. “Your empathy for your charge might be clouding your judgment. Have we not always advocated for observation and guidance over direct intervention?” he reminded her gently. “My charge is resolute; he will guide her when we cannot. Come, let’s change our perspective.”
With one last glance at the mirror where Adeline shifted in her sleep, Maris rose to follow Eloquen. She dismissed the mirror with a wave of her hand. “What do you have in mind?”
Eloquen led her off the balcony. “Let’s observe from Eric’s viewpoint. A fresh perspective might clarify your thoughts,” he suggested, pausing at the threshold to inhale the fresh air before escorting Maris toward his marble palace.
In Eloquen’s marble palace, the ambience shifted from the secluded vibrancy of Maris’s oceanic retreat to a serene, awe-inspiring setting framed by towering marble pillars and arches over lush ethereal grass. Eloquen guided Maris to his shimmering marble fountain. With a soft command, the waters stilled and the surface rippled, reflecting scenes from the mortal realm.
“Here, all threads around my charge intertwine,” Eloquen murmured, his voice barely louder than the fountain’s whisper.
As scenes unfolded, Eloquen settled into his chaise while Maris’s gaze was drawn to Eric, who had just returned to the hospital after ensuring Adeline’s family was safely home.
In the hospital's muted corridors, Eric’s steps echoed softly as he approached the room where Adeline's mother was being cared for. He paused at the door, spotting Adeline asleep on a couch inside, her position uncomfortable but peaceful. Choosing not to disturb her, he settled on a secluded bench in the hallway, pulling out his phone to coordinate plans and update friends and family. The quiet murmur of the hospital, the nurses' swift movements, and the whispered consultations at the nurses' station painted a stark contrast to the tranquility of the celestials watching them from above. Here, in these moments of human struggle and endurance, the true tests of spirit and resilience were revealed.
As Eric navigated through his phone, his thoughts wandered and the turmoil within was amplified in the way his fingers tapped insistently against his screen. He admired Adeline's strength in shouldering her family’s burdens, but he wished she could lay them down, even if just for a while. He longed to see her liberated from the weight of constant duty, to experience life with the freedom and lightness she deserved. Yet he knew that stepping away was not in her nature, and he wrestled with his desire to support her against his wish for her to find her own peace.
Interrupted by a nurse asking if he needed anything, Eric smiled and declined, returning to his task. Taking a breather, his fingers paused above the screen, his mind replaying the events over the last twenty-four hours – their adventures with friends in the UK, the phone call, the fear, the sudden flight home, and finally the looming challenges. There had been so much Adeline had to take care of. “It doesn’t end, does it?” he thought.
Eventually, exhaustion overcame him, and he dozed off, only to be awakened by Mr. O’Cean's concerned voice. “Eric, you should have gone home,” Mr. O’Cean admonished gently.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Eric rose, noting the blanket someone had draped over him. “I didn’t realize I had fallen asleep.”
Londyn was standing beside her father, both looking fresh and rested. “You were sleeping in the most awkward position,” she noted, picking up Eric’s cell phone that had dropped on the floor. “Have you been here the whole time since dropping us off at home?”
Nodding, Eric glanced up at the clock and realized half a day had passed. “Yep,” he replied, his voice hoarse and dry. “Did you just arrive?”
Mr. O’Cean handed Eric a bottle of water, peering into his wife’s room. “Yes, thank you for seeing us both home yesterday,” he replied. “Aria’s awake. Would you like to join us now?”
As Eric followed Londyn and Mr. O’Cean into the room, Aria greeted them warmly, albeit with a weary smile. “I’m sorry for cutting your vacation short,” she said, noticing Eric behind her husband, her voice soft but filled with warmth. “You and Adeline should have stayed in Europe.”
Adeline squeezed her mother’s hand. "Mom, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. We’re just glad you’re okay."
Eric nodded from the doorway, his presence a silent pillar of support, yet his heart ached slightly for the unspoken wish that Adeline could someday step away and breathe. "We’re both glad," he added, his voice resonating with quiet strength.
Aria’s eyes welled with tears, touched by their dedication. "Thank you, both of you. It means everything to have you here."
Dr. De Kure entered then, his approach hesitant but his face alight with relief. “I hope I’m not intruding,” he began, stepping forward to join the family gathering.
“No, of course not,” Aria reassured him, inviting him closer. “Father, thank you for looking after me. Have you met Eric?”
Dr. De Kure smiled, shaking Eric's hand. “He’s been a great support to Adeline. She speaks very highly of him,” he teased, prompting a blush from Adeline as she reached for Eric’s hand.
“How do you feel today?” Dr. De Kure asked, turning to check the medical monitors beside Aria.
“Weak but good,” Aria responded, reaching for her father’s hand. “I had a good night’s sleep but was quite surprised to wake and find Addy here beside me.” She glanced around the room with an accusatory look, her gaze finally settling on her husband. “Was it you who called them back?”
“It was me,” Londyn interjected, nudging aside her mom’s feet to sit on the bed. Her voice carried a determined edge. “Addy deserved to know. She wanted to be here.”
Mr. O'Cean, standing beside the bed with a gentle hand on Aria’s shoulder, added, “We’re a family, Aria. We stick together, especially at times like this.”
“That’s right,” Adeline chimed in, leaning into Eric, who stood behind her, massaging her shoulders to ease the tension from an uncomfortable night on the couch. “We’re with you.”
Dr. De Kure nodded, providing comforting assurance. “The bleeding wasn’t due to a miscarriage,” he told Aria, prompting a collective sigh of relief. Aria turned to Adeline and Eric, a mix of gratitude and concern in her eyes. “I really hate that I’ve pulled you away from your travels,” she murmured. “Especially with everything you had planned.”
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"Mom, don’t worry about that," Adeline reassured her, squeezing her hand. Despite the sudden return being necessary, Adeline felt her place was right here. "I’m exactly where I need to be. How are you feeling really?"
Aria returned her daughter’s squeeze, her eyes resembling both her father’s and Adeline’s. The family settled into a gentle rhythm around Aria as the room quieted, punctuated by the soft beeping of machines and low murmurs of concern. Having recently rekindled her relationship with her father, Aria found comfort in the constant presence of her family. Despite her condition stabilizing, the emotional toll was evident. Overwhelmed by a mix of gratitude and guilt, she confessed, "I'm scared, Dad. The twins... I can’t bear the thought of losing them." Her voice cracked, baring the depth of her fear.
Dr. De Kure squeezed her hand tighter, his voice firm with resolve. "We’re all here for you, Aria. You’re not alone in this. I’ll do everything in my power to protect you and the boys."
The support in the room was palpable, and it was then that Eric, quietly supportive until now, stepped forward with a suggestion. "Have we considered getting a full-time nurse? Someone who could care for Mrs. O’Cean at home where she might be more comfortable?"
Mr. O’Cean appeared uncertain about moving Aria from the hospital, but Dr. De Kure, seeing the light in Aria’s eyes, agreed. "That’s a sound plan, Eric,” he endorsed with a nod. “With the right medical oversight at home, we can manage her condition closely. I’ll find a list of skilled nurses who can be available around the clock.”
Seeing how happy the endorsement from Dr. De Kure made his wife, Mr. O’Cean finally agreed. “I’ll set up a room for her and the nurse on the main floor to avoid stairs and make emergency care easier,” he declared, his tone determined as he comforted Aria with a reassuring rub on her arm.
As plans were discussed, Adeline felt a bittersweet tug at her heart. She turned to Eric, her eyes shimmering with conflicting emotions. "Eric, thank you for thinking ahead. We’ll all feel better with Mom at home,” she said, gratitude coloring her tone. “But you’ve been away from our trip long enough. I think you should go back and enjoy it with our friends. I’ll stay here with Mom. You shouldn’t have to miss out because of me."
Eric looked torn, his eyes searching hers. "Let me stay just a couple more days,” he decided. “I don’t want to leave you to handle all this alone. I’ll arrange to fly out after everything’s settled here."
Aria chimed in with a gentle smile. "I have plenty of support here, dear boy. Please don’t let me keep you both from enjoying your trip."
"I’ll be fine," Adeline assured, her voice steady. "It’s important that one of us gets to experience what we planned. I’m not alone; I have my family here."
Reluctantly, Eric agreed. "Okay, I’ll go—but I’ll help set everything up tomorrow. I’ll call you every night, and if you need me, I’ll come back immediately, no hesitation."
"Thank you, Eric. That means a lot," Adeline replied, her voice thick with emotion.
With everything settled, Eric bid goodnight, giving the family some time alone with Aria. He parted with a tender embrace from Adeline in the hospital lobby, promising to return in the morning to help finalize arrangements before his departure. Watching him drive away, Adeline felt a mix of relief and solitude, knowing her place was by her mother’s side as they all prepared to navigate the uncertain days ahead.
The next morning started with a sense of purpose and a flurry of activity as Eric returned to the hospital, ready to assist Dr. De Kure and the O’Cean family with Aria’s transition home. The corridors buzzed softly with the morning shift change as they gathered in Dr. De Kure’s office.
Dr. De Kure had already coordinated with medical suppliers, and together with Eric, they reviewed the list of essential monitoring equipment to be installed in Aria’s new first-floor bedroom. The air was thick with a mix of anticipation and concern as they meticulously discussed each item, ensuring nothing was overlooked.
Mr. O’Cean and Adeline joined them, their expressions weary but grateful. “After you left, Adeline convinced me to speak to our housekeeper and nutritionist,” Mr. O’Cean shared with Eric. “Thanks to your recommendations, the nutritionist will collaborate with our new housekeeper, who agreed to stay on site in the guest room for a while to assist me with Aria’s diet. That way, Aria won’t need to worry about household matters. I want her to focus solely on recovery.”
“That’s excellent,” Eric responded, appreciating Mr. O’Cean’s adaptive approach to the well-being of his wife. “Let me know if you need further support. Adeline has the agency’s number, but I’ll be happy to help coordinate if you prefer. We should aim to keep everything as stress-free as possible for all of you.”
With plans firmly set, the next step was execution. Eric returned with the O’Cean sisters to oversee the setup of the O’Cean home. Medical equipment arrived by mid-morning, and a team of technicians busied themselves with setting up systems in the room Mr. O’Cean had prepared. Eric supervised the installation, ensuring every detail was meticulously addressed the way Dr. De Kure had shown him, from the placement of the oxygen tank to the calibration of the heart rate monitor.
Meanwhile, Adeline and Londyn coordinated their schedules to ensure that someone was always available to keep Aria company, alternating between their office shifts while their father worked from home. Eric admired their dedication to balancing professional responsibilities with family care. In these trying circumstances, their maturity and solidarity were a testament to their strong familial bonds.
As the day progressed, the room transformed into a sanctuary equipped with everything Aria needed. By late afternoon, an ambulance transported her home, with Mr. O’Cean and Dr. De Kure accompanying her. The comforting spaces of her own home, now adapted to her needs, seemed to immediately uplift her spirits. A soft smile graced her features as she settled in.
Once everything was in place and Aria was comfortably resting, Eric knew it was time to depart. The family gathered to express their thanks, their faces a mix of relief and sadness at his imminent departure.
“Thank you, Eric, for everything,” Mr. O’Cean said, clasping Eric’s hand firmly. “You’ve been more than helpful; you’ve shown true dedication to our family through your actions. I’ll never forget what you did for us.”
Eric nodded, deeply touched. “I was glad to be here. Please call if anything is needed. I’ll be back to visit soon.”
Finally, it was time for Eric to say goodbye to Adeline. They stepped outside, away from the others, under the twilight sky. Adeline looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the porch light, her voice soft. “Go enjoy the trip, Eric. You’ve done more than enough here.”
He pulled her close, his voice a whisper. “I’ll think of you every day. Call me anytime, okay?”
“I will,” she promised, holding him tightly for a moment longer.
With a final embrace and a kiss, Eric stepped into the car that would take him to the private airstrip. Adeline watched until the taillights disappeared into the evening, feeling a pang of loneliness but also profound gratitude for his support. She turned back to the house, ready to take up the watch by her mother’s side.
As the car drove away, Eric looked back at the fading lights of the house, his thoughts already on the moment he would return, hopeful for Aria’s recovery and mindful of the bond that had deepened between him and Adeline during this challenging time. The journey back to the UK would feel long; his heart remained with Adeline and her family. A small smile lifted the corners of his lips as he thought of his strengthening relationship with Mr. O’Cean, who not so long ago refused to acknowledge his relationship with Adeline, but now these last couple of days, he was permitted to share in their resilience and love.
As the private jet lifted off the runway, the bright runway lights blurring below, Eric stared out the window, the sprawling city lights giving way to the dark expanse of the ocean. The gentle hum of the aircraft was a stark contrast to the emotions churning within him. Each mile that stretched between him and Adeline added a weight that he hadn't anticipated, a longing that tethered his thoughts firmly to her.
Throughout the trip, Eric found himself more fixed to his phone than the breathtaking views or the laughter of his friends around him. Every vibration was a bittersweet reminder of the distance separating him from Adeline. Their daily conversations became his solace, a temporary bridge over the ocean that divided them.
“We’re in Edinburgh,” he texted her one evening after a day spent touring the castle, his friends' voices a distant echo behind the concern threading through his mind.
Adeline’s response came quickly, as if she had been waiting. “How’s the weather? Wish I could see it with you.”
“It’s beautiful, but not as beautiful as your smile,” Eric replied, his words tinged with a smile. But his heart ached whenever he sensed her stress surfacing from her messages. She talked about her mother’s slow but steady recovery, about the strain of juggling her responsibilities, her voice growing hesitant when the topic of her upcoming move to university arose.
“I don’t know if I can leave her, Eric... not now,” she confessed during one of their nightly calls, her voice a soft echo of uncertainty.
“I know it’s hard, Addy. But whatever you decide, I’m with you. I’ll always be just a call away,” Eric reassured her, his gaze tracing the constellations visible from where he sat on the patio, each star a silent witness to his promise.
On the eve of their return, Eric stood alone on the balcony of their rented apartment, the chilly air brushing against his face. He dialed Adeline, the phone ringing briefly before her voice came through, a comforting melody to his anxious heart.
“I can’t wait to see you tomorrow,” Eric started, the anticipation clear in his tone. “I’ve missed you, Addy.”
“I’ve missed you too, Eric. It’s been... overwhelming here, but talking to you every day helps more than you know,” Adeline admitted, her voice filled with emotion.
“Just one more sleep,” he chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. “And then I’m back, okay? We’ll figure everything out together.”
“I’m holding you to that,” Adeline replied, a smile visible in her voice despite her fatigue.
Their conversation lingered into the night, words exchanged with a gentle fervor, each sentence weaving a stronger connection, bridging the gap until he could hold her again. Hanging up, Eric packed his belongings with a restless energy, eager for the flight back that would reunite him with Adeline.
As he finally settled into his seat on the return flight, the city of Edinburgh receding in the background, Eric’s thoughts drifted to Adeline’s upcoming decisions, her anxieties about university, and the future that remained uncertain. His resolve was firm; he would support her and be her anchor, no matter the miles or moments apart.
In that quiet, high above the clouds, Eric held onto the promise of tomorrow, the day he’d be back by Adeline’s side, ready to face together whatever challenges lay ahead for them, committed by love and unwavering support.