Chapter 17: Eret's Depression

Eret and I sit next to my siblings at the table in the Great Hall. It's been a couple of months since the miscarriage, and I'm physically where I'd need to be to try again…I'm just not emotionally ready yet, and I don't think Eret is either.

He's been really quiet lately, like more so than usual.

"Eret, honey, could you pass the bread, please?" I ask.

"Huh? Oh, uh, sure, love." Eret hands me the bread basket and I take out a piece.

"You're not eating?"

"Not hungry."

Usually I'm the one with the eating problem. Maybe it's finally hitting him about losing the baby. It hasn't fully hit him yet, and maybe this is it.

"Eret, what's wrong? You know you can talk to us about anything."

"I should be the strong one. You shouldn't have to be, my love."

"Eret, what is it you told me all those months ago? That you'd be there for me when I need you, and to make it my personal mission to be there for you when you need me. Now is that time. I'm here for you. We're all here for you."

"I know you are, honey."

"Then talk to us. Please. If you want to, that is. We won't force you to talk if you don't want to."

"I do want to talk about it."

"Talk about what, baby?"

"Losing the baby. But not here. Can we…can the five of us go to the Cove, the fifth person being my sister?"

"Of course. Come on, guys."

The five of us soon reach the Cove and we sit down.

"I just felt so helpless that night. You were in pain and…there was nothing I could do. It was like you didn't even want me there."

"Oh, my Eret. Of course I wanted you there. I needed you there. I was just in shock over losing our baby, I shut you out. And I shouldn't have. I'm so sorry."

"Don't apologize, my love. It's okay."

"No, it's not. You lost this baby, too. It's not just my loss. It's our loss."

That's what does it. That's what breaks my husband. He breaks down, covering his face with his hands, sobbing. My poor baby. He looks so helpless. I wrap my arms around him and we cry together.

Soon, our sobs lessen and we can form coherent sentences.

"Just know that you can come to me about anything, okay? No matter what it is, I'll listen to you. I promise." I say, my voice shaking.

I feel Eret nod against me.

I know what we've been through, together and apart, has been extremely difficult, but we'll get through what we've gone through.

Together.