Thanks to Tell Me I'm A Screwed Up Mess for following this story (cool nickname by the way :D) and thanks to you all. I appreciate each of you and enjoy this chapter.


Decision

The endless staring at the clock. Ariadne was lying on the hospital bed, but doctor Brecken was still somewhere else. That moment was approaching, the waiting was harder and she couldn't stop it. Sleep didn't help at all and morning seemed strange. Constantly thinking (what will happen, how it will end and how her life will look like after that) was annoying, but she realized that her mind worked this way. What if it remains in such state forever? Surgical intervention added another kind of fear into her, feeding its other friends. Finally, her eyes were able to break away from the clock, but then they turned to the ceiling. In fact, the room wasn't even interesting. It made no sense looking around. Various medical instruments, cold walls, the meaning of her visit... since today, hospital became an official hell for her. Suddenly, man came into the room.

"Good morning, Ariadne."

Her focus moved on him, but only remnants of life were in her. After several weeks of thinking, decision making, and probably mainly due to the hospital environment, her body was driven by last reserve of energy.

"Good morning, doctor."

Just her tired voice alarmed him, and when he looked into her eyes, it was clear that it was tough for her. However, she had chosen this option and, therefore, it was necessary to endure all the consequences. The good news was that the nurse had already prepared the necessary things and so he could start immediately. Therefore, he sat down on a chair next to her.

"How are you feeling?" This question was everyday routine for him, but it was the most important part for beginning. Ariadne just sighed.

"I want to cry."

For a doctor, it was even worse. He had never seen her like this, and suddenly he started to miss her kind smile. Her eyes didn't have healthy and curious spark, but it was a sad brown pair without joy and happiness. Her body seemed withered like a flower without water exposed to the midday sun. Anyway, it was necessary to fulfill her wish, and so he turned on an ultrasound device for her last check.

"If you want, nurse can be here with you. She'll help you to calm down during the intervention."

Ariadne didn't believe strangers, especially in such important moments. Maybe she was trying to be strong. Maybe the only person, who would be able to calm her down, now most likely was in a dream.

"No, it's fine. Can we start?"

It was strange to express this request, but she wanted the end already. Being back in the hospital room and to cry into loss of consciousness. Perhaps to think about herself and how to get back to normal life. The doctor understood it and just nodded.

"Of course. Just let me tell you the details as I promised yesterday. Abortion is performed under general anesthesia and the procedure takes about 10 - 15 minutes -"

It was really important to hear this? After all, it didn't matter how it will go. The result was always the same and only one. Her baby will die. And if the doctor was doing it for her peace of mind, it was too late. Her entire body had suffered for a long time, and it will never heal. Ariadne realized that she will never be the same as before. Feelings of joy, happiness and a smile? What were these things? She didn't even know them. Lately, she felt only anxiety, fear and regret. It was obvious that these feelings trapped her. She was in a small black evil box. There was no escape route, all edges were sealed. No one came to the rescue and Ariadne began to slowly suffocate in her own misfortune.

"- And time of hospitalization is 1 - 2 days," the doctor ended his explanation.

She still stared at him, however her thoughts were different and stronger. His whole talk was unnecessary, but he didn't know it. She preferred to remain silent and only nodded. It didn't matter why, but as a sign of understanding, it was enough.

"Okay. But before, I want to see something. Can you please show me the belly?"

Ariadne knew that he wanted her to cheer up and honestly, he succeed a little bit. However, she looked down and complied his request. It seemed that it was the last look. Maybe he needed to see exactly where the baby was for avoiding future complications. Wasn't it one of the things which she had missed? Ariadne looked up at the ceiling, trying to calm down. After a while, she felt something strange on her skin and then a small device was there also. It took only a few seconds and the doctor saw the miracle again. Position of two babies was fine. It was also clear that children were growing up properly. However, the realization, that two lives had to end soon, brought a sad smile on his face. Why fate couldn't be fairer to them? Why they didn't get a chance? But he didn't realize that this time even she was able to look at it. The screen was turned on them. Stupid peripheral vision. Apparently her eyes couldn't resist the curiosity (or God intervened?) and she looked at the monitor.

Surprise... astonishment... recovery. Ariadne awoke to life. Her list full of reasons someone ripped into a million pieces. Her decision imprinted in her body within seconds disappeared. Someone erased it that no drop of ink was left after. She stared at the monitor, not being able to believe the reality. Her muscles froze, as well as time. She saw the two small black ovals and inside were...

"Twins?"

Her voice shook with tears in her eyes, meaning happiness. The doctor heard it and looked at her, realizing that she knew the truth. This time, it was a happy smile which he had on his face, but there was no other choice than to answer the question.

"Yes. Fraternal twins."

It was a small detail, which he had to say. She couldn't take her eyes off it. Ariadne was in some kind of trance, because the only thing which existed for her now, were them. Her children. Not one, but two little bodies were inside. This was way better than her wish. This was way better than she had hoped for. The doctor didn't know that it was mother's instinct engulfing her completely. The part, surviving inside her heart unknown how, was given a new impulse. So powerful that it could tear down the hospital itself. However, the doctor was trying to pull her out from this state.

"Ariadne?... Ariadne?..."

Pointless. The world still didn't exist for her. But then the doctor saw something incredible. The thing which happened once in a lifetime. Energy started to return into her, her beauty bloomed again, her face lit up with a smile which was as wide and bright as a full moon at night. Ariadne came back from the abyss of dead, soaring into the sky. And higher... and higher... and higher. There wasn't any border which could stop her happiness. Though after a while, a tear ran down her left cheek. However, how he realized this wasn't a tear of sadness. For the first time, she felt differently. Going after the right path to the perfect future. And how she now knew, another two souls will be by her side.

xxxxxXxxxxx

However, and Ariadne's assumption was correct, loss came into her life. She couldn't go back home to Arthur, and what was worse, he even didn't get the reason why she suddenly and quickly disappeared from his life. Perhaps it would be meaningless. It would be their end anyway. His opinion on children and parenting was clear. Sooner or later... it was better this way. Although she knew it wouldn't be so easy. Point Man had never given up without explanation, and as it was known, he always had done everything for it. But the fatherhood would be a tough one for him to accept. Was that really an option?

Her head shook, her thoughts disappeared and she again faced the familiar house. Traveling and pregnancy were a little uncomfortable, but how excited doctor Brecken had said, it was still possible. Ariadne hadn't hesitated and had taken this opportunity. Los Angeles had changed a lot and it was exciting to see what new things were in town. It was kind of nostalgia to be back, but she wasn't small girl now. She had left the hospital as soon as possible, but the plan was completely different. The secret (and that word was almost at the end of existence) or her return to normal life. Everything was... Ariadne couldn't help and a small sarcastic laugh came out from her mouth. How stupid it was. Apparently, something else had decided about her way. Whether it was an infinite universe or the bearded man with the name God.

However, next moments also won't be too easy. Meeting with parents after a long time will be a bit strange, but to explain her situation will be even worse. A lot of questions, comments, remarks... but Ariadne had nowhere else to go. This was the last place where she could find help. The doctor had said that her pregnancy will be difficult due to the twins and therefore she couldn't be alone. Every day, something could happen. Nonetheless, the longer she was thinking, the worse it got, so she took a deep breath and rang the bell. It was heard the familiar, loud noise, and now it was time for another waiting. Luckily, it didn't take long and the door was opened.

"HI SWEETHEART."

Samantha said with enthusiasm and full of joy. She immediately hugged her daughter and Ariadne opened her arms also. It was welcoming about which Architect had dreamed. Suddenly it was possible to feel the motherly love between them. It wasn't surprising that Ariadne noticed it until now, when her body was full of hormones.

"Hi, Mom," she said quietly into her ear only. But after a while, Samantha pulled away from her and looked at her with the biggest smile ever.

"What are you doing here?" Nonetheless, she answered with question.

"Can I stay here with you and Dad?" Smile disappeared from her lips. It was obviously something very serious. Although Ariadne was independent, in difficult times, her parents were the shelter where she found protection.

"What's the matter, sweetheart?" Ariadne smiled slightly, realizing that the truth had to come out. But first, she needed to be sure.

"Please say yes."

Samantha realized that this wasn't an ordinary thing. And then she saw the sadness and despair which were written on her face. They were hidden under the mask of joy. Maybe her daughter suffered. But what was it? Or who bothered her mind? Actually, it didn't matter. Proper mother had never abandoned her child in trouble and she didn't want to be the first of its kind. What would say William? Her father loved her just as much, if not more. Ariadne had always been Daddy's little girl, and according to her, he will be very happy that his only daughter returned back home. Now he was still at work, but this surprise will definitely improve his mood. There was really no reason for rejection and so a warm and kind smile appeared on her face.

"Of course, you can."

This time it was Architect who hugged her first, grateful that at least for a moment, she escaped the fear of the future. It was like in her childhood, when she had been afraid of neighbor's barking dog and Samantha's arms had given her visible shield. However, now her presence didn't save the whole situation, but Ariadne felt that her life flowed more easily. The path was no longer in fog and in gloom, but helping hand took hers and they were walking together to a light which had appeared in front of them, showing direction.


Happy and important chapter, but I'm sorry that it's so short. Even I didn't expect it, but sometimes there isn't so big imagination for writing. The only advantage is that the translation and check were very quick :)