A Full Rich Life

Chapter Two: Dilemmas.

Alannah and Ilosovic arrived home and headed into bed, and Alannah lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Ilosovic removed his clothes and slid in next to her, pulling her close. "You're worried, aren't you?"

She nodded, and then turned to face him. "I know you won't tell Alice or Meggie what I told you, but I don't know how long I can keep this a secret. I know I've had patients ask me to not tell their loved ones the true extent of their ailments, but this is different. Helen isn't just another patient; she's family to all of us. If I tell, I'm breaking my Oath. If I don't tell, I run the risk of losing my friendship with Alice and Meggie. What do I do?"

Ilosovic sighed, running his fingers through his hair in thought. "I don't know, love. Maybe you could talk to Helen tomorrow and tell her your misgivings. Perhaps the two of you could work out a compromise. But save telling Alice and Meggie the news until after the wedding."

Alannah nodded. "Yes, we both agreed about that." She laughed softly. "I can't believe both our daughters are getting married, and on the same day too."

"I know, it is hard to believe. I never thought Katarina would get married." He yelped when Alannah smacked him on the side of his head. "Ow! I only meant that she hadn't shown any interest in any of the lords for the longest time. Well, you remember how surprised we both were when she took such a quick shine to Erik."

Alannah chuckled and kissed the spot where she had smacked him. "I know what you meant, and I was surprised. But I think that's because Erik didn't talk down to her, and was a gentleman from the very start. Katarina has always been a great conversationalist, and most of the Lords her age cannot be said to have an overabundance of brains."

Ilosovic laughed in agreement, and then rolled on top of Alannah, giving her a wicked grin before capturing her mouth in a passionate kiss.

Alice was heading for the guest room with a pile of fresh linens when she heard her mother coughing. She dropped the linens on the sofa and ran to the guest room, her eyes going wide with horror at the sight of Helen lying on the bed, eyes glassy as she coughed in hollow, booming spasms. "MUM!" She ran into the room, pulling Helen upright and shaking her. "MUM!"

Helen gave a rattling cough and opened her eyes, gazing at Alice in shock. "Alice, what on earth? Why were you shaking me?"

Alice gasped in relief and hugged her, speaking in a voice shaky with suppressed sobs. "You scared me so, Mum! You looked as though you couldn't breathe! Are…are you doing well?"

Helen smiled a bit sadly. "I am doing better now that I am with my family. But Alice, you know that I am an old woman, and my time will be soon. I'm just so glad that I was able to have a second chance with both you and Meggie and that I was able to meet my beautiful grandchildren."

Alice shook her head in denial. "Nonsense, Mother. You are still a mere slip of a girl. Why, you'll probably outlive Fiona! So none of this morbid talk. Tomorrow I'll take you to the palace. I'm sure Mirana will be thrilled to see you." She kissed her mother on the cheek before exiting the room.

Tarrant came down the hall, the linens in his arms. "Alice, you forgot to…what's wrong?" Alice stared at him before running into his arms with a cry. He placed the linens down, wrapping his arms around her, speaking in a soft brogue. "Naow, what's got my Alice cryin'?"

Alice gulped. "Tarrant, I'm so scared! Mum is ill, I can tell by the way she looks and that horrid cough, but she's talking as though she's dying! She can't be that old, she just can't! It's…"

"Impossible?" Tarrant asked a sad note in his voice. Alice nodded. Tarrant led her over to the sofa, stroking her back in sympathy. "Alice, I'm afraid it is possible. Helen is old, and she has lived a wonderful life. She loves coming here and if this is indeed her twilight hour, then there is nothing that any of us can do to turn back the clock."

"What about…?" Alice clamped her mouth shut at Tarrant's firm expression.

Tarrant spoke in a voice that brooked no argument. "Nae, Alice. Ye are not asking Time to reverse yer Mum's years. 'E only does it in special cases, when someone 'asn't lived the life they should 'ave. Helen has lived the life she wanted, and she is nearing the end of it. She's an Overlander, love, and next to them we are almost immortal."

Alice glared at him. "What about me? I'm an Overlander by birth!"

Tarrant sighed. "But you married me, and our children are Underland born. You've got the ability to stop yourself aging. Helen doesn't, and even if she did, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from being ill."

Alice gave him a look of disbelief. "Tarrant, that wouldn't matter! I'm sure Alannah can heal her of whatever ailment she has! It's most likely just a fever. My mum has decades left!"

Tarrant took her shoulders gently but firmly, speaking in a soft voice. "No, Alice. She doesn't. Even if she were not ill, she does not have decades. But you are luckier than you will ever know. I never got to see my parents live out the years they should have."

Alice gaped at him before bursting into tears. "Oh Tarrant, I'm so sorry for being so selfish and foolish! I should have realized!"

Tarrant kissed her forehead. "You are far from selfish, and you've always been my foolish little Alice. This is hard for you, I know, and I'm certain Meggie is going through the same dilemma as you."

Alice gave a sad chuckle. "Meggie is more practical than me, so she is most likely trying to come to terms with our Mum being ill in her own way. But I am determined that Mum's visit is going to be wonderful, and that nothing will put a damper on the weddings."

Tarrant laughed. "That will be a day for the history books."

"It certainly will." Alice looked up at her husband. "Tarrant?"

"Yes, my Alice?"

"Take me to bed."

Tarrant grinned wickedly before pulling her off the couch and leading her into their bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him.

Thomas watched as Margaret paced back and forth, wringing her hands. "How could she come here when she's obviously so ill? Doesn't she worry about not being able to get back home? Did she just jump and leave? How is she going to handle the journey home?"

Thomas sighed. "Meggie, she told you and Alice that she was here for good. So I don't think you need to worry so much about her being able to get home. As to why she came now, perhaps she realized that she didn't have much time in Overland left and wanted to spend it with her daughters."

Margaret turned to him. "If that was true, why didn't she just ask us to come for a visit? Surely that would have been much easier!"

"For who, Meggie? We'd have a much harder time getting everything together. Your mum is ill, not feeble. She knows her own mind, and don't you try to change it. Just wait until after the weddings, then you and Alice can ask her for the truth as to why she came here. Now quit pacing before you wear a hole in the floor, and come on to bed."

Margaret sighed, and then slid into bed next to him. "Thomas, you always have this wonderful ability to say exactly what I need to hear rather than what I want to hear. I've been rather fortunate in my second husband. Lord knows that Lowell would never be willing to listen to a thing I said, or if he did his answers would be trite and pat, meant to placate his delicate little wife rather than out of any real concern."

As the night wore on, four people slept fitfully, a dilemma running through their heads as they waited for what the morning might bring and what the consequences of their decisions would be.

Author's Note: I promise, there will be happy! Just be patient, it's coming!