Oni and Michael were woken up in order to take their dications.
Both of them stiffened at the sight of Sarah and Aiden who entered the room.
"How are you two doing?", Sarah asked.
"I am sorry, Sarah…", Oni said after a second of catching her breath. She had so many things she wanted to say, but it all could be summarized with that apology, yet it was not enough.
Sarah exhaled softly. She knew that this is coming. "What are you sorry for?"
Oni was not sure from where to start. After a few seconds, she decided to address how her carelessness inconvenienced everyone. "I'm sorry for making you co here, and leave the base in Romania. If I was more careful, it would be different."
Sarah walked to the bed and sat next to Oni. "If you keep your current knowledge and go back. Would you do anything differently?"
Oni opened her mouth and closed it without saying anything. She wondered, would she do anything differently? Maybe one thing. "I was supposed to let you know that I've lost contact with Michael."
Sarah had to agree on how that would be the responsible thing to do. But she does not think that would change the outco. "Would you be able to sit and wait for two hours until we arrive? Don't worry about what could have happened. What matters is that both of you are back."
"I am sorry…", Michael said.
Sarah turned to look at him. "What are you sorry for?"
"It's my fault. I saw Jesse and the only thing on my mind was that I need to get my answers and I ssed up.", Michael admitted.
Sarah glanced at Aiden and he understood.
Aiden gestured toward the door. "Michael, let's go for a walk…"
"Are you angry?", Oni asked Sarah when the door closed after Aiden and Michael.
"I am upset that you got hurt. But I am not angry at you because if that were Aiden and , I would do exactly the sa thing you did."
"I saw him enter that building and I was never so nervous before. I had a feeling that with every second he is drifting further away, and I got up and went after him without thinking that I'm getting myself into danger. And when I woke up in that chair and I realized that they captured in order to make him talk… They didn't see as a person... They saw as a tool to be used to get to Michael... I was never so scared in my life…", Oni ended through sobs.
Sarah hugged her and patted her back. "It's OK. Let it out…"
Oni didn't want to cry. She wondered, where are these tears coming from? The danger is gone, and they are safe, and due to the dications she does not feel any pain at all. Why is she crying? But with Sarah holding her, she felt like a little girl who was scared of monsters and her mother is comforting her, and sohow, she knew that it's OK to cry and let it out, just how Sarah told her.
Oni cried for a long ti and when she finished, her eyes were red and puffy, and Sarah gave her a tissue to wipe her nose.
"I am sorry…", Oni said while looking at Sarah's shoulder wet from her tears and snot. "I was brave to go after him recklessly and now I'm crying like a baby. And I ssed up your t-shirt."
Sarah took a tissue and wiped herself. "You need to stop apologizing. You were brave when it counted. Now you are with your family. You can let your guard down and that is normal."
"Are you going to punish ?"
"Punish you?", Sarah was surprised that Oni asked her such a question. "Sure. Your punishnt is to rest and take care of yourself. And then work hard on the rehabilitation so that you can get back to work. I need my assistant."
Oni smiled. "Thank you."
Sarah patted Oni's head gently and spoke softly. "Don't rush. Take your ti and focus on getting better. The school and everything else can wait. Health cos first. I've got you a set of clothes. Let help you dress up." Sarah saw that Oni looked at her in surprise and Sarah explained: "You can go ho."
"What about Michael?"
"He will co also."
…
Outside the room…
Aiden and Michael walked back and forth the hallway a few tis and Aiden peeked in the room whenever they passed by it. He saw that Oni is crying and that it will take a while, so he suggested to Michael to go to the lounging room.
"Are you not going to say anything?", Michael asked Aiden when they sat at the table. Other than random chat about the weather and if any of them wants a beverage, they didn't speak.
"What do you want to say?"
Michael was not sure how to answer this. He expected so scolding because he was reckless and probably so punishnt because Oni got hurt. And maybe so words of wisdom as well.
"Is there sothing I can say that you don't know already?", Aiden's question pulled Michael out of his thoughts.
Michael shrugged, indicating that he is not sure.
"You were careless, you ssed up, and both of you got hurt.", Aiden said without mincing his words. "I only hope that you rember that whatever you do, Oni will follow after you, disregarding her safety because she puts you first. But you know that already, so I wasted my breath."
Michael wanted to say that he also puts Oni first. But then he rembered that on that terrace, when he saw Jesse, Oni was not first on his mind. He lowered his head.
Aiden saw that Michael's mood dropped and he reminded himself that he is not here to scold him. Both Michael and Oni suffered enough. "I'm not trying to rub you with guilt. My hope is that you learned sothing from this incident and that nothing like this happens again because next ti the rescue might co too late."
"I am grateful that you ca to rescue us.", Michael said with sincerity in his voice.
Aiden nodded reassuringly. "That is what our family does. Don't think about thanking with words. Thank by getting better quickly so that when I get into trouble you can co and rescue . That is the only repaynt I will accept."
Michael smiled. When Aiden said that they are a family, a warm and fuzzy feeling filled Michael's chest and he rembered Oni's words how he is surrounded by people who care about him, but so far he didn't realize it.
…
Sarah and Aiden went with Michael and Oni to the Cliffside villa and helped them settle in.
The other generals returned from their respective missions related to the Shadow Ravens and they all ca to see Michael and Oni. Other kids joined as well and everyone was there, filling up the living room in their apartnt, other than Nala and Haru who are in Romania (babysitting Kitty).
Nala was sorry that she didn't co in person, but Kitty could not be left there without them, and flying Kitty back and forth might be too much. Nala had a video-chat with Oni and promised to bring her so European treats when she returns.
Imani proclaid herself as the chief dic in the house and she assured Sarah that she will ensure that Michael and Oni take their dications. And Jamari said that he will help out whenever Michael needs help with changing or anything else that is not girl-appropriate.
Other kids also said that they will help out, and they swiftly ca up with a schedule related to taking care of Michael and Oni.
"I can go back to Europe without a worry because I have such capable children.", Sarah smiled.
Oni and Michael observed this commotion with mixed emotions. They are happy that so many people are enthusiastic about helping them out. But at this rate, it does not look like they will have any ti for privacy.
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