*Lucas*
I wasn’t sure what to expect when returning ho. From my understanding, it had been about two months since I was there. I hoped Brady hadn’t gotten a roommate or moved my stuff.
“Lucas, welco back,” Brady greeted, coming down the front steps. He grabbed my hand and I shook his vigorously, clapping on the shoulder.
“It’s good to be back.”
“Sasha, you look amazing for soone who’s been in a coma for months.” Phoebe ran down the stairs and hugged Sasha.
We all greeted each other and exchanged hugs. It was good to be back with the people that knew us and that we had real relationships with.
“I’m really sorry for what happened,” Phoebe said. She hugged Sasha again.
I saw the smile Sasha plastered on her face. It was tense and tight, but she was putting on a good face.
I slipped my arm around her shoulders and held her closer. Just under the smile, I knew there was a torrent of emotion ready to break free.
“You know we are here for you, both of you. We’ll help in whatever way we can,” Brady promised.
“Do you mind helping us get our bags out of the car?” I arched an eyebrow at him.
“Of course,” he said and headed down the walkway.
“If you guys are hungry after your journey, I can fix a quick snack,” Phoebe offered.
I glanced at Sasha. She leaned heavily on .
“A snack sounds good. Thank you, Phoebe.”
We followed her inside while Brady helped Ian with our luggage.
“So, what’s changed around here?”
“Well, Xander shut down the entire Northern Library project and blocked off the area of the temple. Guards are there constantly because mbers of the Lycaon church keep trying to sneak in. He’s doubled security there twice!”
“Have they learned anything yet?”
Phoebe shrugged. “That’s not sothing many people are talking about. I think when there’s sothing to know, there will be a formal announcent.
Sasha and I got comfortable in the living room while Phoebe made us a snack in the kitchen.
I sighed and relaxed into my couch. It was good to be ho... in my real ho. Although, it would be better once I was in my real body again, too.
“The two of you are such an inspiration, holding everything together when so much has happened.” Phoebe rejoined us and handed us each a plate with a sandwich.
“Thanks, Phoebe. After a little R and R, we’ll be right back to fixing the problem.”
Instinctively, I moved my hand to Sasha’s stomach. I couldn’t imagine what she was going through, but I missed our baby too. I had a feeling she was also missing her powers.
After we had lunch, Sasha and I went to my bedroom.
Sasha laid down on the bed, looping her arms around her flat stomach. I sighed and stepped toward her, then paused.
“What do you want to ask?” She lifted her head and smirked at .
I rolled my eyes. She knew too well.
I sat on the edge of the bed and put my arm on her side.
“Are you worried about your powers? Do you miss them?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I can’t deny that they’d be beneficial in helping us get our bodies and our baby back.”
“They are a part of you, too. You were born with them.”
Sasha sighed. “I could probably learn to live without them, seeing as one of the last things I did with that power was to kill The Immortal and hurt a lot of other people.”
I rubbed her arm. “That wasn’t your fault.”
“Maybe not, but maybe it is better if they are gone. I don’t want to hurt anyone like that again.”
“I understand.” I leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“Once The Immortal is gone, I won’t need my powers anymore. I just want our baby back.” She sighed and it looked like she deflated slightly into the pillows.
She was putting on a brave face for everyone else, but she didn’t have to with .
I kissed her cheek again. “That’s what I want, too. We’ll make it happen. I promise.”
She nodded and closed her eyes. I crawled onto the bed behind her snuggled her against my chest. We both needed a good rest.
“Sasha, please don’t think that your power is a curse. It is a part of you and sothing that makes you as incredible as you are. I just want you to feel whole.”
I kissed the back of her neck and held her a little closer.
***
*Sasha*
I hated sitting around, waiting for news from Lena about their hunt for Morianne. Before going to look for the orb in Lycenna, I’d been working hard as a student.
Staying with Lucas ant that I was still close to campus, and I wanted to do sothing with my ti.
“I’m thinking of going back to school,” I told Lucas while we got ready for our day.
“Why now?” he frowned.
“I’m so tired of sitting around waiting for news on Morianne. We have no idea how long it will be before Lena and Xander hear anything.”
“You’re bored?” he teased.
I giggled. “A little. Mostly, I just want to keep my mind off what’s going on. I have a lot of makeup work to do for my studies, and I did want to finish my degree before the baby is born.”
“Do you want to co to the administrative office with you? I can help smooth things over.”
I went to Lucas and pressed myself against his chest. I looked deeply into his lovely, adoring eyes. Rising up on tiptoes, I kissed his lips quickly.
“You’re very sweet. I think I can manage getting back into school on my own.”
Lucas smirked and bopped my nose with the tip of his finger. “I know you’re perfectly capable. You know you don’t have to do any of this alone.”
“Thank you.”
“Well, I’m going to hang around the house today.”
“Oh, that sounds like a lot of fun.” I stuck my tongue out at him.
“There are months of correspondence I need to catch up on, and I have my own job to figure out.”
“Okay.”
Lucas smiled and I smiled back. For a mont, I wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t seem to know what to say, either. I swallowed and rocked back on my heels, biting my lower lip.
Lucas ca to and grabbed my upper arms firmly. “Sasha, everything will be fine, I promise.”
“I believe you.”
“I love you, so much.” He kissed my forehead.
“I love you too.”
I headed to campus to et with my advisor. She reached out to first and gave the tis she’d be available.
When I arrived at her office, my advisor stood up and pulled into a warm, comforting hug.
“Sasha, it is so good to see you awake and well.”
“Yeah....”
I hugged her back stiffly, confused by her reaction.
“King Xander and Queen Lena called ahead and told that you were back in the area. That’s why I reached out to see if you were ready to co back. I’ve been worried about you.”
“I’m sorry for my sudden absence.”
She went back to her seat and started typing on her computer. I took my own seat across the desk from her. It felt really good to be in a familiar environnt, working toward my future, and getting my old life back.
“I called around when you didn’t show up for a while. Finally, Queen Lena told you were on dical leave. How are you feeling?”
“Much better, thank you.” I smiled politely. Physically, I was better, but it wouldn’t be right until I had my baby back.
“Fortunately, since the king and queen took matters into their hands personally, you’re able to return whenever you want.”
“They’ve been very supportive.”
“Do you mind telling a little about your... condition?”
I let out a long, slow breath. “I went on a trip into the Light Realm and got exposed to sothing that put in a temporary coma.”
I doubted Xander and Lena told a college advisor about tiline jumping and alternate realities. It would complicate things if I needed to explain it all again. Frankly, I was tired of explaining it.
“My dear!” My advisor gasped, covering her mouth. “How horrible. Are you recovering well?”
“Yes. I had a lot of people taking care of . I was in good hands, and the king and queen helped a lot.”
“Alright, let’s get back to talking about your degree. We put you on a dical leave, so you took a few incompletes from last sester, but they don’t impact your overall grade point average.”
“That’s good news. I was worried what a long absence would do.”
“You’ve only got a few credit hours left to complete before you can graduate, and you need to finish the work-study program.”
“Yeah... I’d like to get back to work-study, but the program I was in was closed down.”
My advisor nodded and tapped away at her computer keyboard, the keys clacking around the room.
“There are a few new work-study programs that you’d qualify for with your current degree. They are pretty extensive, but I can pull up a list if you’d like to review them. I’ve got a few that don’t start until later in the month if you need ti.”
“I’m ready to get back to school and work-study. I’d prefer sothing that is active so I can get everything wrapped up as quickly as possible.”
“Alright, I understand. Let print out a list for you. How about your classes? I’ll get a list of what you need to complete your degree, and we can work them into your schedule.”
“Thank you.”
My advisor left the office. A few minutes later she returned with two sheets of paper. She sat down and highlighted a few options and then handed it over.
We spent the rest of the eting getting my schedule and work-study situated. I double-checked everything to make sure that it would be all wrapped up by my prospective due date.
My advisor got everything into the computer and gave a list of new books I would need. She was very helpful and excited to see back in school.
Her excitent was contagious. I really wanted to focus on my studies again. The university library was extensive, too, and I had a feeling I could get so good historical information on the Lycaon Church and even Morianne while completing my history courses.
My life was finally starting again, but I couldn’t stop the sinking in my stomach from feeling the emptiness where my child should be.
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