Last Voyage
Chapter Two: A Husband's Comfort
Ilosovic knew something was wrong as he came up the walkway. The cottage was utterly quiet. Normally, Alannah would be bustling about the rooms, doing minor housework and singing snatches of songs. But tonight, the only sounds he could hear were birds in the trees and the occasional bark of dogs.
He entered the cottage, frowning as he noticed the large pile of papers on the table. Alannah was notorious about making sure her inventory was perfect, and would spend hours going over one sheet of paper, so this haphazard scattering concerned him. A folded up sheet drew his eye, and he reached out and picked it up, gasping. "Alannah?" No answer, and Ilosovic sighed, then heard a low sobbing sound coming from their bedroom.
"Alannah? Baby, I…" Ilosovic kicked off his boots and came over to the bed, lying down and pulling his sobbing wife into his arms. "I saw the letter. I'm so sorry."
Alannah gulped, trying to speak. "A part of me knew this was coming. When we went to visit him last month, he looked so…old. But he told me it was nothing to be concerned about." Ilosovic sighed heavily, pulling her closer to his chest.
"He most likely didn't want you fussing over him like a mother hen. Elias loves you, but he also knows that you can be rather stubborn. If he had told you, what would you have done?"
Alannah sighed, then turned to face Ilosovic. "Probably yelled at him for not telling me sooner, then try to concoct a potion that would prolong his life. That doesn't make this any easier." He kissed the top of her head.
"I know that. What are you going to do?"
"Honor his request, of course. The hard part is going to be telling the children. Especially Vicki-she and Daidi are so close. She'll be devastated. I don't even know how to begin to tell her. Ilosovic, what do I do?"
Ilosovic began to untie the laces on her dress. "Right now, you get some sleep. I saw that pile on the table, love. You've been working since cockcrow, haven't you?" Alannah blushed and nodded. "I thought so. I know you hate to leave a job unfinished, so I'll get things taken care of. I know enough to help with the inventory. I'll get things put in order, then we can decide in the morning what to tell our children." He helped Alannah sit up, and she removed her dress, sighing in relief. Ilosovic licked his lips at the sight of her in her small chemise and knickers, and she turned to him, an apologetic expression on her face.
"Ilosovic, I know you've just returned from a day long patrol, but..."
He kissed her. "I understand, love. You need your sleep. So, go on to Dream land. I'll join you shortly." Alannah snuggled under the blankets, speaking in a sleepy voice.
"Ilosovic?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you too."
