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Hope you haven't been waiting too long for the next chapter!
But before we do, a quick thank you to MasQueNada and Gigi D'agostino for the favs and/or follows! Now back to the story!
Chapter 7: A Promise
While Eduardo was confronting his father, Sapphire flew back home, making it as her parents were still there, the two adults confused as to why their daughter was here.
"Sweetie, is something wrong?" Sapphire's father asked.
"Yeah, I thought you were with Eduardo." Sapphire's mother added.
"Turns out I might not get to be with him anymore…" Sapphire announced. "His father found out about us and well… He's not too happy. Eddie told me to go back home while he took care of it."
"I'm sorry honey…" Sapphire's mother apologized, coming up to comfort her daughter.
"Maybe I should have gone with him…" Sapphire figured.
"Better that you didn't sweetie, it would have made the tribe leader only angrier." Sapphire's father guessed as Sapphire knew her father was right about that.
"I'm a little tired, I'm going to lay down a little." Sapphire told her parents, but before she could go, she heard the flapping of wings approaching her family's hollow, turning around she saw Eduardo flying to them. "Eddie, what are you doing here?" Sapphire called out as Eduardo first focused on making it to the hollow, landing in front of the entrance before speaking.
"Things didn't go so well between my father and I…" Eduardo finally answering, sighing. "And I can't be with my family for now, so I was hoping, with your parents' permission, I might stay here for now."
"Of course, I'm sorry I wasn't there to support you." Sapphire hugged onto Eduardo as after a few seconds she broke it to introduce her boyfriend to her parents. "Mom, dad, this is Eduardo, who I'm sure you seen before.
"It's a pleasure to meet you two." Eduardo nervously spoke as he extended out a wing to shake. "I'm sorry it has to be like this."
"Nice to meet you too Eduardo." Sapphire's father accepted the wing shake before letting his mate do the same with Eduardo. "Well, you're more than welcome to stay with us for how ever long you need."
"Thank you sir." Eduardo smiled as he was shown inside, where of course he would be staying with Sapphire in her room.
It was a little crowded now that there were two teenage birds in Sapphire's room, but she didn't mind, being more closer gave Sapphire the comfort she needed. And it gave her a little laugh when Eduardo kept bumping his head a few times because of the space. Clearly he wasn't used to sharing a room for when he was back in the hollow he lived in with his family, he and his sister had their own rooms.
"Having trouble there?" Sapphire joked as Eduardo rubbed his head feathers.
"No, just need to adjust." Eduardo replied. "I'm actually a little tired, could use a little nap now."
"Yeah, me too…" Sapphire yawned as she laid down on her makeshift bed of leaves, Eduardo still standing and hesitating whether or not join her, since now her parents were basically right next to them now. "Well, are you just going to stand there or join me?" Sapphire smirked as Eduardo knew any longer delay would make this awkward so he gently laid down next to Sapphire, getting up close and personal that their bodies were touching.
"Are you sure your parents are okay with me staying here?" Eduardo asked.
"I'm sure and this will be a great chance for you to know them and for them to know you." Sapphire pretty sure as she drifted off to sleep with Eduardo's warmth helping her to do so.
Eduardo didn't dare to say anything more to disturb her and simply pulled her even closer to him and wrapping his wings around her as much as he could. Eduardo soon enough drifted off to sleep himself, very tired from the intense confrontation he had with his father, still not believing it, but tried not to think about it as he closed his eyes…
However as he did so, bad nightmares entered his mind, of his father disowning him and choosing a new heir to take his place…
"Dad, please… I'm your son…" Eduardo pleaded to his imagination of his father.
"You are no son of mine, you are a disappointment…" Eduardo's father sternly replied as his gaze turned to a familiar bird standing next to him. "Goodbye…" Eduardo's father saying his last words as to Eduardo he and his father seemed to separate, breaking apart as Eduardo's father became smaller and smaller until he was no more than a speck against the black background in Eduardo's current nightmare…
"No!" Eduardo's eyes shot open as he felt sweat on his body, panting as he realized it was only a nightmare as he took a deep breath, getting fresh air back in him.
Eduardo first looked down at Sapphire and luckily she didn't wake up, still sound asleep as Eduardo felt relieved. It wasn't until he began looking around did he see he and Sapphire were not alone as her father was standing by the room's entrance. Eduardo felt the awkwardness sink in as he recomposed himself, fully calming down as he turned his complete attention to Sapphire's father.
"Sir, what can I help you with?" Eduardo clearing his throat.
"It's just about time for dinner and I was wondering if you would help me get it." Sapphire's father politely requested.
"Of course sir." Eduardo returned, not hesitating, but he first made sure to give Sapphire a soft kiss on the cheek before joining her father.
Eduardo joined Sapphire's father as the two flew on out of the hollow, the sunset in full effect as the sky was a bright orange, the jungle all quiet and peaceful. Eduardo hoped he wouldn't see his father as with Sapphire's father, the two found an abundant tree, filled with fresh fruits ripe for picking. Together, the two began picking the freshest bunch as Eduardo kept looking over his shoulder every few seconds, afraid if for some reason his father did come across the two, he couldn't imagine how nice he would be to Sapphire's father…
"Are you okay Eduardo?" Sapphire's father asked as he noticed the teenage boy all nervous like as his voice snapped Eduardo out of it.
"Oh sorry sir…" Eduardo apologized. "Yes, I'm okay." Eduardo getting back to the business of collecting the fruit.
"Listen Eduardo, coming out here to help me pick up dinner wasn't the only reason why I wanted you to come with me." Sapphire's father explained.
"What do you mean sir?" Eduardo confused.
"I need to hear it from you and you alone…" Sapphire's father began. "My little girl means everything to me and she deserves a good life. Can you promise me that you will treat her right and be devoted to her no matter what?"
"Of course sir, don't worry, I promise I will try my best to make sure she's happy with me." Eduardo replied, his voice very sincere.
"Good, I expect nothing less." Sapphire's father smiled as he and Eduardo had picked enough for one night. "I think that's enough, lets return back to the hollow."
"Yes sir." Eduardo agreed as carrying the fresh fruit the two returned back to the hollow, fortunately not having come across Eduardo's father.
As the two returned, Sapphire was awake now, surprised she slept through most of the day, but she guessed she was just that comfortable as she wore a look of relief when she saw Eduardo.
"There you two are, I was wondering where you went." Sapphire said with a smile, Eduardo coming forth and giving his girlfriend a quick kiss on the beak.
"Sorry, your dad asked me to come with him to get dinner, otherwise I wouldn't have left." Eduardo explained.
"Really?" Sapphire replied, as she detected a hint that Eduardo was keeping something from her. "Anything else?"
"I'll tell you later." Eduardo not willing to say it in front of Sapphire's parents as the family sat around in the hollow and ate their last meal of the day, chatting and laughing while eating, which was a little refreshing for Eduardo, the light hearted atmosphere helping to keep him at peace.
As dinner was done, it was time for sleep as by now night has started to fully set in, the sun disappearing completely over the horizon as Sapphire's parents went to their room, with Eduardo and Sapphire going to her room. There, the two cuddled up, getting all comfortable and warm as they looked froward to a good night's sleep, ready for whatever tomorrow may bring.
"So, you going to tell me what my dad really wanted with you?" Sapphire reminding Eduardo.
"Oh, he just wanted to make sure that I'll really love you and that you're happy with me." Eduardo answered.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you will, in fact I'm as happy as can be." Sapphire returned, sharing another kiss with Eduardo before finally settling in for the night, closing her eyes as she felt Eduardo cover her with his wings.
"You bet I will." Eduardo softly said as he first made sure Sapphire was fully sleeping before closing his own eyes, looking froward for the next day.
And I'll leave it there!
A bit of a filler chapter, but necessary, still, I hope you enjoyed and with that…
See everybird later!