I'm a good enough person to forgive you, but not stupid enough to trust you again…

Chapter 26: A Slight Problem

When I was awoken by my adorable daughter as she jumped onto my bed and shook me awake. Thankfully, unlike the first, I didn't hurt anyone while being woken up.

"Ugh, Lil-Lily!? Mornin' sweetie," I said sitting up and giving her a hug, giving me a warm feeling, which seemed to surprise her. "I missed you," I whispered into her ear. She whispered, "Missed you too," while returning the hug and then pulled away. Her eyes shifted towards the door, my eyes followed hers and I saw Ryan slumped up against the doorway.

"Mornin' Ryan," I said waving, even though he's not too far away.

"Good morning," he said nodding his head. "Pardon me asking, but when did you get here? No offense but you're always late." Just looking at him I could tell that he's tired, his dirty blonde hair has some strands falling in front of his eyes, and the fact that he's uncharacteristically slouching makes me think he just got up. Well, at least I know he got a good night's rest. Same with Lily.

"Eh, none taken. And to answer your question, Lily I got somethin' for ya." I told excitedly reaching around the bed for her gifts. My eyes widened when I couldn't find her box. After frantically looking around the bed and throwing off the covers, I started to panic. I couldn't find Lily's presents.

"Um you okay Mom?" Lily asked, her head adorably tilting slightly to the side in question.

Something her dad would always do.

"It appears that your mom is unable to find whatever she was about to bestow upon you. She's already thrown apart the bed and by judging by the look on her face, I'm assuming that she has no idea where it is," Ryan informed.

"You've got that right old man," I said walking around the room, still looking for Lily's presents.

"I'm no old man!" Ryan exclaimed like a whining kid.

"Could've fooled me, you certainly talk like one," I joked. Ryan rolled his eyes and scoffed, while Lily giggled while pointing at her friend. After taking a glance around the room one more time, I fell back onto my bed sighing loudly putting my hands on my face.

"Ugh, where could it be!?"

"What are you looking for exactly?" Ryan asked.

"Wait. Why did you get me somethin'?" Lily asked before I could answer. I sighed again, knowing that the surprise was ruined.

"Well y'know how I missed out on your birthday right? Well I wanted to get you somethin'."

"Mom! I told you already that you don't need to get me anything, you coming back and actually hanging out with me is enough," my little girl told me giving me another hug.

"Well, still. I really wanted to get ya somethin'. But now I can't find it," I said while returning the hug. Once we were done I asked Lily and Ryan, "You didn't see anything in here before you came in did you. Cuz I know that when I went to sleep it was right next to me!"

"No, besides you hugging your pillow like a teddy bear, there was nothing to take notice of," Ryan said with a cheeky smile and then both him and Lily began to laugh at my actions. I can't help it, it's how I slept ever since Link and I shared the same bed. I'd always use his body as a pillow and it just stuck with me, I couldn't get comfortable sleeping when he left. I still have trouble sleeping.

A smirk came across my face, "So since it's funny that I snuggle with a pillow, then I guess it's pretty funny how you two slept together… snuggling with each other."

"Mom!" Lily screamed blushing, Ryan silently doing the same. The two avoided looking at one another, when they did they blushed even more. I just laughed.

I can't help but saying it, but they're just too cute together. Lily being active, soft, loud, and childish while Ryan is more standstill, blunt, quiet, and mature. Even though they're pretty much opposites they get along really well, and are able to act like one another when the time calls. Just by the one meal I shared with them I saw Ryan act like a kid when Lily called him a nerd, and Lily… acted mature when it came to Link. Now, I know I sound like such a mom when I'm saying this, but they're perfect for each other.

"Jeez, I'm just teasin' ya, no need to get all red in the face," I said still laughing while winking at the two. Lily glared at me, although I know she's just embarrassed and not really mad.

"So, let's not talk about that. Um, do you think that someone took it? I do remember that the door was open before we came in," Ryan slowly said, still blushing, uncharacteristically delayed in his sentence.

"Take it? No, I don't think anybody would… Link!"

I suddenly got very angry at my ex-husband. For him to take something that was meant for Lily, sure it's somewhat dangerous I'll give him that, but knowing that I would give it to her and taking it so she wouldn't get it is wrong on so many levels.

"You don't really think that…?" Lily asked.

"It doesn't make sense but, who else could have taken it?" Ryan joined. I got up from the bed and looked at Lily, doing my best to conceal my anger.

"Lily, where could Daddy possibly be?"

Lily seemed hesitant to say, but said, "In his office, I'll… I'll take you there." She led us out to the hall, making a left and going up the stairs, where a door was atop.

"It might be locked, the key's probably-"

Before Lily could finish her sentence, still being angry and needing a way to vent, I kicked the door open. Almost breaking the door off its hinges.

"I almost forgot your mom was a pirate," Ryan said to Lily.

"Now y'know where I get it from," she said proudly, making me smile despite my bad mood.

Taking a look around his room I saw that in the center of the room was a table which had a stack of papers on top with a wooden chair behind it, bookshelves on either sides full of… well books, and a balcony which gave a view of the entire kingdom. Pretty much what you'd expect in a king's office. But, no king.

"Alright, since he's not here… we might as well try to find Lily's presents. We're looking for a silver box," I announced and we all started searching for said object. We didn't find anything.

Now, I am in my ex-husband's office. I couldn't not snoop around for anything that shows that my husband still cares for me, I mean c'mon. But I found nothing. Something that irked me was that there was a drawer in Link's desk that needed a key, I don't have my lock picking stuff with me so I couldn't get it open. I know that the box I got for Lily couldn't fit in there, so it's gotta be somethin' else. It's gotta be something important, it might just have to do something with me. But even if I had my gear, I doubt I'd be able to open it. Sadly, Link's private drawer remained private. Before we started dating Din knows how well he kept his secrets a secret from the times I've tried to pry it from him.

"Nothing," I heaved annoyed after looking for about ten minutes.

"Same here."

"Nothing I can find."

After putting everything back in its place I turned to Lily and asked, "Have any idea where else he could have put it?"

"It could be in his room," she suggested, "But I'm more surprised he isn't here than the fact that we didn't find anything. He's always hauled up here and doing work, I don't think he's sleeping."

"Let's go to his room," I said. We all walked down the stairs when we heard the sound of a door opening, that's when I saw Link. Standing in the middle of the hallway. With a silver box in his arms.

"LINK! You've got some explaining to do!" I screamed while marching angrily towards him, stopping a foot in front of him with my arms crossed defiantly. Although I'll admit that it's not really intimidating when I have to look up at him.

"Look, I can explain," he said slowly looking from me to Ryan and Lily who're behind me.

"You better!" I screamed.

"I will, just calm down. Now, when I went to wake up the kids I couldn't help but notice that the door was slightly open, and I saw you sleeping. I also saw this box. Putting two and two together I saw realised that whatever is in here is for Lily," he explained looking me in the eye.

Why do his eyes have to be so beautiful?

"So you took it!?" I asked trying to sound mad, but it sounded more like a regular question than an accusation.

"Well… yes. But let me finish," he said seeing as I was about to interrupt again. "You see there was… a slight problem with Lily's gift."

"If you say that it's too dangerous than-"

"Tetra! Please!" He lowered his voice so only I could hear and leaned into my ear, "I don't think you want Lily to know what you got her yet."

His voice is making me shake… in a good way.

"Look, one of the blades was a bit flimsy and the handle was loose. I'm sure Lily wouldn't have liked that, so I went and got that fixed up. Now, I think it's a good time to give them to her," he said while handing me the box and leaning back. I looked at him wide-eyed, trying to see if it was a trick. "No Tetra, this isn't a trick. Now c'mon, I'm sure she'll love the gift."

Is it even possible to not love him?

Link then turned me around and gently pushed me forward to our daughter, my gift in my hands. Lily looked at her dad strangely before turning her attention to me, and then to the silver box in my hands.

"So, um… happy late birthday Lily. I hope you like them," I said holding out the box in front of her. She slowly took the box from my hands and took off the lid, and then unwrapped her gifts from the cloth. Lily became open jawed when she saw her gifts.

Two twin daggers. Both made entirely of ebony, both the hilt and the blade. Both blades having identical carved designs on the blade and hilt, the edges and carvings being silver, while the handle and blade itself is black. It's got this deadly look to it, just by showing the blade should have the challenger back off.

"You got me these Mom?" She asked looking at me blankly.

I nodded, feeling worried that she doesn't like the gift. But that worry went to a sense of excitement when I was greeted by a beautiful sight.

The sight of my daughter giving me a beautiful radiant smile. Her eyes closed and her glistening white teeth showing, a smile that very much resembles the one her father use to give to me.

She gently put the box down, which confused me, but then she tackled me with a hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

"You really like it?" I asked not thinking that this is how she'd react. I saw Ryan roll his eyes and smile at what I just said and I imagine Link doing the same behind me.

"Are you kidding me!? These are probably the best presents I've ever gotten!" Lily exclaimed.

"Oh Lily, I'm hurt!" Link said jokingly behind me, I turned, got up and saw that he had his hand on his heart and head tilted back for dramatic effect. I couldn't help but giggle.

"You're not gonna take this away Dad?" Lily asked questionably.

"No, it's… it's a gift from your mom, of course I won't take it away. Now usually a father would tell his little girl not to use these, but knowing that your mom's a pirate and that you love to spar a lot, I'm not going to be telling you to do so. In fact, I want you to practice with real blades so that you'll know the feeling of being in an actual battle. I hope that by doing that you'll be cautious but feel excited while doing so."

"Wait, you're actually letting me have a real blade. And you're letting me use it?" Lily asked surprised, asking the question we're all asking.

"Yep," he simply said. Lily then let go of me and jumped onto her dad giving him a hug, he hugged her back his handsome face decorated with a smile that I love to see.

"Can I use them now dad?" Lily asked excitedly, bouncing on the balls of her feet when she was put down.

"I don't see why not. But before you start using them for sparring, I bought a few training dummies for you," Link said, causing Lily to squeal happily, pick up her box, and run out the hall going to the training area. Ryan following behind telling her to wait for him, which did nothing.

Leaving just me and Link.

"You're a good dad," I said, trying to break the awkward silence.

"You're… you're a thoughtful mom," Link admitted. We then kept staring off at the distance, trying to think of something to say.

"Ugh, can we talk?" I asked. More silence, Link probably thinking whether or not he should. He then silently walked past me and up the stairs, opening the door with a sigh, taking notice of the broken lock, I told him I'm sorry but he didn't say anything. He walked in and walked past his desk making his way to the balcony, leaning against the railing staring out into his kingdom. I followed and did the same.

"Link, what does this make us? Are we friends? Or…" I asked unsure of what to think.

"Tetra… I'm sorry, but I still don't trust you."

Now saying that hurt was an understatement, that felt like somebody just stabbed my heart multiple times, rubbed salt in all the exposed areas, poured gasoline on it, and somebody shot a flaming arrow right through.

"But you let Lily keep the gifts I gave her," I tried.

"That doesn't mean I trusted you, I trust in Lily that she won't go and get herself killed. Ever since the time I was informed that the two of you sparred with real weapons, I knew it was like throwing wood into a small flame, she'd only want to do it more. And with her being your daughter, she would've done it without my consent. Aside from that I couldn't defy her wishes. I never can." Link said not even casting a glance at me.

"Can't we at least be friends?" I asked putting my hand on top of his. He sighed and took his hand back, putting both hands in his pockets.

"I can't be friends with somebody I can't trust. When… when we were married," my eyes widened at this since I definitely wasn't expecting him to bring up our marriage, "you told me that we'd always be together, no matter what. That we'd find a new Hyrule together. Grow old and die together. But… when Lily came, you just left saying that a life with me and our little girl wasn't worth giving up the life of a pirate. Now, you come back and tell us that this is the life you want."

Link then looked me dead in the eye, and asked, "Can I really trust you? Because honestly, I don't think I can."

"You trusted me with Lily when she wanted to hang out with me for the day!" I exclaimed. Link didn't say anything.

"I can't trust you alright! And I can't form a relationship with somebody who I don't think I can trust. Any relationship," he said while looking out to his kingdom once more.

"I'm sorry Link, if I had the Triforce in my hands right now I'd use it so I stayed with you."

"I've forgiven you for your actions Tetra, we wanted different things in life. You wanted one of adventure, I wanted one of family. We walked different paths. I've forgiven you, I just haven't forgotten. I don't regret the decisions I've made. I wouldn't trade Lily for the world, I'd die for her," Link said in all seriousness.

"I'd die for her too!" I said angrily, angry at the fact that he thinks I wouldn't.

"That is yet to be seen."

With that, Link walked away, leaving me alone on the balcony. Not knowing what to do.

Author's Note

First Off, before I say anything… The darkened soul, I care that you live. I'm sure many people do. It's supportive people like you who help me get through the day and have me continue to write this story. I'm sure you've positively affected many other peoples' lives, and they very much care for you. Please live on, and enjoy the life you've been given.

I hope you like this chapter, I had to rewrite it because I accidently deleted it. Still have absolutely no idea what keys I pressed. But, I'm slightly happy that that happened because I like how it ended up. I was torn as to how Link would react, knowing that how he reacts changes the entire story line. I finally made the choice, I hope you liked it. By the way, the daggers that Lily got are the ebony daggers from the game Skyrim… just in case you were wondering.

Thank you so much for reading, as I have been getting more and more support. Please tell me what you think and I'll see you soon.