Page 114 of Eternally Yours
“Hi,” I say, walking up to her. “Thanks, but you didn’t need to do that.”
“It’s fine, it kept me occupied.” She looks to Minnie, who sits on the couch staring off at the TV, although I don’t think she’s actually paying attention to it.
“How is she this morning?” I question in a hushed voice.
“Pretty much the same. She ate a couple of grapes this morning without me having to ask and agreed to watch a show with me. So that’s progress.”
“Yeah, good,” I answer, still staring at the back of my wife’s head.
When I turn back to Aubrey, she’s eyeing the box in my hands, then looks up and offers a warm smile. “You’re doing good, too. Don’t give up on her, she’ll come around.” She places her hand on my forearm.
I swallow as emotions rise. “I could never give up on her.”
“Good. I’ll get out of your hair. Do you need me tomorrow morning?” she asks as she collects her textbooks and bag.
“No, day off.”
“Okay, then I’ll see you Thursday morning. Bye, Sy.” She wanders off to Cecilia, kissing her on the forehead and telling her she’ll be back in two days, then leaves out the front door.
I take a deep breath and walk cautiously over to my wife. Her eyes shift my way when I come into view, but then refocus on the television. I sit on the coffee table facing her and offer her the box I’ve been holding. She looks down at the box, then back at me, but doesn’t make a move to take it.
“It’s for you...” I say quietly and lift it a little closer to her.
Finally, she lifts her shaky hands and takes the white box, setting it on her thighs. Slowly, she pulls on the red ribbon and lifts the cover off. I hear her inhale deeply, watch her throat swallow and her eyes become glossy.
No, no, baby... please don’t cry. Because when you do, all I want to do is hold you, and right now... I can’t.
I wait for her to make a move, do something, but all she does is stare at the pastry.I’m not sure what I was expecting. She still isn’t eating normally, so why would this be any different...
With a saddened sigh, I begin to rise from the table, but then she surprises me by quickly putting her hand in the box. I stop moving and stare at her beautiful downcast eyes.
She keeps her sight on the food. But then with a deep breath, she lifts one of the croissants and stretches it out my way.
My eyes widen in shock. I sit back down on the table, swallow the lump in mythroat, and reach out to take it. Then she grabs another and sets the box down on the couch beside her before bringing the pastry slowly to her mouth and taking a small bite.
An olive branch, that’s what this is.It’s small, but it’s something.Holy shit.I take a bite from my pastry and let my head drop forward as tears fill my eyes.
She’s still here, she’s still with me.
Chapter thirty-three
Silas
SHE TALKED… TO ME! *Hyperventilating into a bag*
~ The Next Day ~
I wake up for the first time in two weeks feeling a bit more like myself, a small smile gracing my lips as I look over at Minnie’s sleeping form beside me. It’s the first time that she’s slept through the night without whimpering in her sleep or spending hours awake staring at me.
Wanting to begin the day right, I head downstairs, let Milo out for his morning duties, and get started on breakfast. French crepes, her favorite.
I get into my element, setting down the plates, maple syrup, hazelnut spread, and sliced bananas on the opposite side of the island where the bar stools are. And soon after, I add a big stack of crepes to the mix, ready to be devoured.
I’ve just finished making our coffees when I hear my wife coming down the stairs. I turn with both mugs in hand, smiling when I see she got dressed this morning.
Instead of her usual baggy shirt and sweats that she’s been sporting for the last two weeks, she’s put on a pair of black yoga pants and a simple white t-shirt. The t-shirt would normally fit tightly over her body, but with the weight she’s lost, it’s a bit loose.
When she notices me checking her out, she looks down at her clothes, then offers me the tiniest smile in existence. But it was there, I saw it.The first smile since...progress.
