Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 11 Sept. 824 A.S.
Erik felt her hand gripping his own in a soft embrace. He stared at their interlocked palms for what felt like ages, his mind tuning out almost everything else. She was tense; that much was clear, as he could feel the blood in her hand flow back and forth. He raised his sight towards her face again, seeing a mix of perplexity and sadness that came as a shock. He had never seen her quite like this, so his own confusion grew as well. From behind his glasses, his eyes fidgeted, focusing all over her face.
The answer to his question came as a murmur that broke what felt like complete silence. "I don't know" Her words were anything but empty. He couldn't know what was wrong or why... But he understood that asking her to explain, pushing her to voice her woes, would only alienate her. And he didn't want that, not just out of politeness, but because he wished for the exact opposite. Both his brain and heart were telling him the same thing, that he cares for her and he should show it.
He slowly took off his glasses with his other hand, his eyes still locked on her face, then replied on a tender tone "It's ok. I'm here."
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
It would be easy if she had something else she could shift gears on to hide her reasons. Maybe some shocking event that happened that day or a mistake in the O.R. that cost a life or even the death of a loved one but none of those were something she could hide behind. Indirectly, the death of Cynthia years earlier was why but one couldn't hide behind that. Her hand stayed with his as her other held the cup of still warm tea.
She looked back toward where the children were playing. She didn't feel comfortable talking with them so close, not about this. She was afraid she would get emotional and Ben was no dummy when it came to his Mom. "I.........I did something today," she softly stated. "It wasn't anything bad but...." She released her tea cup and with her hand, she bumped her heart twice with it before returning it back to the tea cup, ".....it hit me right here."
She looked back where the boys were playing, "Erik, I don't know that I want to discuss it with the kids around us. I don't want to startle them."
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 11 Sept. 824 A.S.
Something she did herself, but which caused this kind of heartache for her... - Erik's confusion was now topped with intrigue, yet her answer was enough for now. He smiled, closing his eyes for a moment. He now knew she trusted him and that was all he needed. Without moving away his gentle smile, he put his glasses back on and nodded. "I understand. Perhaps that's for the best."
He paused, a bit unsure what to say next, but he noticed both tea-cups were almost empty. He pulled his hand back from hers, softly, then rose up from the armchair and went on "Would you like more tea?" He held his own cup in one hand and extended his other hand towards Doreen, to pick up her cup after she'd respond.
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
"Would you like more tea?"
She looked up at Erik and finally managed a smile. She handed him her cup. "Please.....and thanks."
While he was pouring the tea, she stood up to go over and see what the children were doing. They were still involved so she walked over to where Erik was. She leaned up against the counter, her back against it as she accepted the refilled cup. Taking a sip, she found it refreshing. She again managed a smile and looked kindly to him. She also unintentionally found her side close to him.
"Erik," she said softly, "I'd like for us, just you and I, to be able to just go out and chat. I could cook again if you want. I just don't know who could watch the boys for us."
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 11 Sept. 824 A.S.
He kept quiet for a few moments... considering Doreen's commentary. Maybe they could've just waited for the kids to fall asleep here at his place, and they could've spoken afterwards. But no, he couldn't impose such an idea and she'd probably want to be farther from the kids, just in case they woke up. Perusing a few more thoughts, he remembered what day it was. "Hm. How about tomorrow? I could ask Lara to come over with Mathew and look after them for an hour or so." - he took a sip of tea - "As for us, we could just take a walk, wherever you feel more comfortable."
Lara, Erik's older sister, was always free on Tuesdays as part of her work schedule. Luckily, in the evening, Mathew - her 16 year old son and cousin to Peter - was also free after school. Peter and Mathew didn't usually spend time together, even thought they were practically neighbours, due to their age-difference. Still, they got along well whenever they met on random occasions.
//Post-reply edit: changed "Monday" to "Tuesday" due to tiny misinterpretation, for the sake of logic time placement.
This does not affect the RP flow or consequences in any way.
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
She smiled her approval. "Monday is good." She was getting back to herself again but also getting closer to him.
Then she stated, "I didn't know you had an older sister." She sipped her tea, "I would relate I bet as I'm the older sister in my family."
After some small talk to get her into a better state of mind, she looked at the clock. "It's getting late. I should get him home."
Finishing her tea, she went to break the bad news to the boys that for her and Benjen, it was time to go home."
"Awe, Mom, OK," was his reply. He came out and was hugging her side.
She then looked to Erik. Not wanting to tip off Ben, she mouthed out the words, "Thank you."
Ben went out the door first. She watched him. When he got a few feet away, she snuck herself into the door far enough to put her lips at his ear.
"I'll see you later," she whispered and kissed the side of his face. She then snuck her way back out, took Ben in her arm and walked home.
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 11 Sept. 824 A.S.
Doreen's state of mind was still a bit clouded, considering she just confused the tomorrow for Monday, but Erik didn't say anything about it. He just explained that he's the youngest of three siblings and commented on calling Lara later to arrange things. Seeing Doreen starting to smile more and more was quite refreshing, so he changed the topic entirely, offering her a short rewind of the latest developments on the nanite project.
A few moments afterwards, she and Ben were ready to leave. As she left and gave Erik a lovely goodbye gesture, Erik blushed in the cheeks. When he turned around, Peter, who had just come behind him, asked curiously "Are you ok, dad? Your face is red."
The boy's father just chuckled and replied "I'm fine. Now let's get some dinner ready." And they both scurried into the kitchen gleefully.
New Astarte, Planet Yuma, Coronado
12 Sept. 824 A.S.
14:00 - As far as Erik knew, Benjen probably just got out of school for the day, so we was now expecting a call from Doreen. He had left her a message in the morning letting her know Lara had agreed on watching the kids for a couple hours, so Doreen could just bring Ben to the Estate whenever she had the time. Until then, he thought he'd just get some university papers done for his students.
New Astarte, Planet Yuma, Coronado 12 Sept. 824 A.S.
She didn't sleep well the night before and she was very distant at work. Another physician noticed it and covered a surgery for her.
"You look as if you're coming down with something, Doctor," he told her, "why don't you head home for the day. I'll take care of things here."
He was half-right. She WAS coming down with something but it was something that their was no medical cure for.
On her way home, she stopped by the Memorial again. She didn't have any flowers to put on it but the ones she had left before were still there. She propped them up a bit and gave a light smile.
"There," she said, "that is much better." She would sit in silence for some twenty minutes, her thoughts buried in Erik, still wanting a sign of Cynthia's approval.....if such a thing existed.
She would finally get back to her feet and head home.
Realizing Ben wasn't home, she sent him and his teachers a message. Basically, it was instruction to head to the Corvin Estate. She would be late and it was the best place for him.
She then sent Erik a message.
I didn't sleep well last night and I left early today. I also had Ben head over to your place after school. Sorry but......I needed to. Feel free to stop here when your day is finished. I'll get Benjen afterward.
After having received Doreen's message and handling one last professorial matter, Erik came back to New Thessalonica. Giving it a bit of thought on the way, he remembered his own reaction the other day and figured he'd go for it even if he didn't know Doreen's preferences. He stopped by a flower-shop and, so as to cover all options, ordered a multi-coloured bouquet. A few violet bulbs on one side, some red and yellow blooms on the other sides and a myriad of white blossoms between them... and the arrangement was ready.
With flowers in hand, he arrived at Doreen's apartment door. He held the bouquet up-front and pressed the doorbell. After a few moments, when Doreen opened the door, he smiled and greeted along with a commentary "Hello there. You seemed gloomy in that earlier message, I was hoping these might cheer you up a bit." He was referring, of course, to the flowers. What he was completely unaware of, however, was that his bouquet looked coincidentally very similar to the one Doreen left at the memorial.
Naggar Residence, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
She accepted the flowers. Finally, a smile crossed her face as she held them with both hands and inhaled deeply.
"These are so sweet of you, Thank you." She then added, "And thank you for letting Benjen go to your place early."
She was dressed very casual. An old pullover that was quite faded but comfortable and jeans with her hair just let down. She still wore the necklace her father long ago gave her. She made a slow walk around her living room as she enjoyed the scent of the flowers. "Now, where can I put these?" she asked herself, looking for a place to set them. She didn't have a vase so going to her kitchen, she grabbed a tall glass, filled it half way with water and made a home for the bouquet in the center of her dinner table, at least, for now.
"Now I can see them wherever I go in here," she smiled. She then stood back several paces and crossed her arms as she looked at them. At first, she smiled which ran from her face for a more straight look. One hand reached up and her forefinger rested upon her lips.
"The bouquet," she confessed softly yet kindly, "it looks very much like the one I left for Cynthia at your family memorial." She took a look over toward Erik, making a quick study of the look on his face.
Her arms went back to being folded in front of her.
"Don't blame her but Catherine told me where it was at my insistence," she continued softly. "Visiting that memorial was something I needed to do." She shrugged and added, "And on the way home, I stopped at it again."
She turned and made a slow walk toward her window overlooking the Yuma ocean. "Why did I you might ask. Well, I wanted to learn something about her, about the woman who brought such a fine young man into this world, the woman who made you happy....." She was leaning against the window at this point. She couldn't face Erik, at least, not yet. A lone tear began it's descent down her right cheek. "......who's shoes I want to fill and to whom I asked approval to....."
She stopped. The pleasant hurt was coming back that she felt the other day but this time, he was here. As she stood staring out the window, her mind was processing what she wanted to say along with trying to control her feelings which again were overwhelming her. As she stared, more tears began to fall. She still had more, much more, and she would but....how would it all pour out?