She means it.
Oggetto
| but I can't beat you, cause I'm still with you, oh mercy, I implore |
.
He calls her at work. She almost doesn't pick up, but she knows he would only try to call again and again until she answered.
"I'm at the hospital." And she isn't annoyed anymore, because of all the things he could have said, this – this is not what she expected.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"My father collapsed." He's calm, but not his usual calm self. "It's stress related."
It's not a heart attack, he doesn't say and she doesn't ask because she knows he isn't too far gone, not yet at least.
"He'll be fine." He adds, because of course his father will be fine with plenty of rest and ways to lessen stress and a proper diet, but it's reassuring to say aloud.
"Which hospital are you at?"
He tells her the name and she nods, even if he can't see her.
"Okay, I'll call you right back." And she hangs up.
She can picture his face, the way his lips curl in annoyance and the way he continues to stare like he can't believe she would have the gall to just cut him off like that.
Four minutes later, he's the one who calls her back.
"I've just met your sister."
"I'm sure you did." Her sister is an impressive woman, determined, fierce, and probably made quite an impression as she strolled inside the room, confident and all knowing.
"She's inside the room right now berating my father about taking better care of himself."
"Yes, that does sound like her." She snorts. "I'm sure your dad doesn't need a neurosurgeon, but she's a very good doctor nonetheless, he's in good hands."
"I think my mother just joined in on the berating." She picks up other voices in the background and subdued echoes of hospital noises.
"Well, you obviously have a busy afternoon in front of you and I have to get back to work. I have a report I need to turn in by the end today, even if I know the predictions are shit." Sometimes she swears she gets paid to screw up.
"I'll see you tonight then?"
"Do I really have a choice?" She swears she can hear him chuckle.
"And Eden?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you." She blinks.
"No problem, Light."
And the worst part is, she means it.
a/n : short chapter? yes. but I do think those few key moments between Eden and Light are necessary. thank you all so much for your kind, encouraging words and your patience. it means the world and this story wouldn't be what it is without your feedback. thank you so much for reading, i hope you enjoyed and drop a review to let me know what you thought. i'll see you all next time.