Updated twice! Make sure you check out Ch27!

Alice knocked softly on the bedroom door a few seconds before pushing it open. She kept her eyes down as she stepped into the room for she wasn't quite ready to see the broken form of her mother.

But no matter how long she wished to prepare, when she finally looked up, the sight of her mother lying in bed shocked her to the core. Her throat threatened to close as her mother seemed so small and helpless against the large frame. Alice pushed down her fears and pain and went to her.

But her resilience to tears didn't last long.

Mrs Kingsleigh stroked her daughter's hair as the young girl knelt beside the bed and sobbed into the sheets. "It's alright now, child," she whispered softly. She knew comfort wouldn't work for long but she needed Alice to be at least a bit sensible now. "Alice, my darling, come, sit. Tell me about your trip."

Alice lifted her head and looked at her mother.

Mrs Kingsleigh could easily read her. She cupped her hand against Alice's cheek, brushing away the girl's tears with her thumb. "Let's not talk about me just yet. I want to hear all about your adventures."

The younger did as she was told and sat on the bed with her back against the headboard.

She wiped at her eyes and sniffed. "We- we signed a trading deal with In-India," she hiccupped. "The city- the world is still as beautiful as it ever is. But-but it's not home." She traced her mother's hand with her finger. "I should have been here with you. I never should have left. I'm sorry, Mum. I'm so sorry."

"At least it is you that is home safely, my dear," was all she said. "Margaret told me that Mason has gone all over creation saying something about pirates and-"

Alice was quick to interrupt. "Mason- he's- I think I've been a bad influence on him. He's starting to think of other worldly things. Wouldn't stop muttering about strange places," she chuckled lightly. "I think being so far away from pish-posh London drove him mad. No, the life of a sea captain is not for him."

Mrs Kingsleigh tsked. "Alice, that boy- you've always been so against everything he's done."

I should, he's an arrogant arse, she thought but she really couldn't say that, at least not now-

Perhaps when her mother recovered, she would go back to berating Mason. But for now, it wouldn't be right to cause her more pain, because for some reason she and Margaret liked him.

But she knew her silence would give away what she still thought of Mason.

She took a breath – she'd compromise. Just this once. "I suppose you're right.. I've been- I've been against him. I haven't really ever given him a fair chance."

I haven't given him a fair chance because there's nothing more in this world he wants more than to take the Wonder from me and captain it himself!

…then she remembered the state of her mother and these precious moments she now had left. She sighed in self-pity and shook her head at her own foolishness. She squeezed her mother's hand. "I should have let him have his first go at being captain and sailing to India. Let him get his own experience while I stayed here- with you. But I didn't because it would have bruised my ego to do such a thing." She bit her lip and looked down at their clasped hands. "Mum, I should have been here with you. I should have been taking care of you. I should have been a daughter to you." Her breath caught in her throat sounding more like a sob than a pitied laugh. "I am too stubborn, Mum, too stubborn." She kissed her hand. "Please, Mum, please forgive me," she cried.

Mrs Kingsleigh patted her hand. "Alice, I could never keep you here, you know this. Your heart is that of your father. You were not made to sit behind walls and accept life as it is. You were meant to sail the seven seas and discover unchartered territory- or however it is you sailors put it."

Alice looked up, fresh tears staining her cheeks.

Her mother smiled softly. "I could never tear you away from your passion – especially when I see your eyes brighten at the thought of your adventures." She gently cupped her daughter's face. "Yes, just like your father. Full of his wit and spirit."

The blonde knew it was meant as a compliment – as it had been for most of her life – but at that moment, all she could see was the cruel similarities between her and her father. Her voice held no admiration when she spoke. "He spent all his life married to the sea – away from you.. I don't want to leave you."

"But he always came back for you," she reminded Alice, her voice soft and tired. "The most precious thing in the world to him."

She snorted. "Besides the Wonder."

Her mother shook her head. "Even more than the Wonder. You said it yourself, it's just a ship."

The young blonde's mouth quirked in a half smile.

"No, you were his everything, Alice," she continued. "And knowing you as I do now, I see the same fire and passion he had in him."

"Mum…" she groaned.

"But there is also fierce loyalty and love. Your father was a strange man, I'll admit. Always speaking in tongues to what everyone else knew as nonsense, but he was much more knowledgeable than that. And so are you."

Alice looked at her. "We are both alike, then?"

She nodded. "Yes. Headstrong. Independent. A true Kingsleigh."

"Fierce loyalty," she repeated quietly.

Neither spoke for several moments – Alice just listening to the steady breathing of her mother and Mrs Kingsleigh watching her daughter. The younger let out a shaky breath and tried not to let her mind wander into the darkness that was sure to happen at the end of the year - her mother's death. She shook her head - no, she couldn't think about such things. Not now when her mother was alive and breathing and still warm beneath her palm.

Not when time with her was the most precious.

But their peace was short-lived. A timid knock sounded at the door and soon Margaret stepped in, a sad smile on her face.

A breath left Alice and she felt her heart drop. Her head shook involuntarily - this all wasn't fair! She had only just arrived! She deserved more time with her mother-

But then of course, that had been her own fault... being gone all these months... being selfish-

"Alice, please," she said with slight tension. "Mum needs her rest."

Another tear fell from her eye and she quickly brushed it away. She looked at her mother and tried to smile. "I-I'll see you later, yeah?"

She nodded. "Of course."

She fervently kissed her hand. "I-I- I love you."

"I love you too, my dear," she sighed quietly.

Then Alice couldn't help herself, "Please Mum, seeing you well again would make me happy." And another tear fell.

"Alice," Margaret called.

Mrs Kingsleigh could not make such promises for her health was out of her hands. She gently squeezed her daughter's hand and smiled sadly. "Goodnight, Alice."

She nodded and a sob slipped out. "Goodnight, Mum." She stood from the bed and crossed the room, not glancing Margaret's way as she passed.