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He promised Rose a different life, yet he has fallen back into society and his old ways in a blink of an eye. Samuel draws his energy from the ocean, and being close to nature is his one requirement to stay.
The dreams have left him exhausted. He’s mindful of eating healthy, yet it will take time for his body to adjust. The walks along the esplanade with Rose are therapeutic, although he’s mindful not to burn energy and lose more weight.
Sitting on the couch, he takes Rose’s hands, and she pushes up to her feet. She takes a few supported steps toward him then bounces up and down on her toes.
“You want to jump?” He lifts her, and the sound of her giggles is something he’d love to bottle. Rose is a needed distraction helping him get through each day. She melts away his dark thoughts, thoughts he knows he needs to explain to Eden. She wants to know what happened, only he’s not ready to unleash his memories. Every night snippets creep out of the locked cupboard in his brain to terrorize him. Retelling his ordeal like a story to Eden will require more strength with the mountain of emotions unleashed from his memory.
His phone pings in the other room, and he leaves Rose on the floor to find it. When he returns, he finds Rose standing up alongside the couch, using it to balance and get around the room. Rose then reaches for the coffee table, and holding onto the furniture has expanded her walking space.
He sits on the couch to monitor her and opens his email. The hospital has received his paperwork, and orientation is arranged for the afternoon.
“There go our plans, baby girl,” Samuel murmurs.
* * *
Before leaving the house, stomach cramps almost crippled him into postponing the appointment—a combination of nerves and stress exacerbated by his current health ailments. He felt numb like the clock had wound back, and he was no longer in control of his life. His life mapped out in a similar way before he escaped to Ulara.
The interview went smoothly.
He stayed for a tour and then was introduced to the staff. Thankfully, he slipped into a work mindset of familiarity.
On the drive home from the hospital, Samuel’s nausea eases somewhat.
One day at a time.
When he walks into the apartment, Eden is on the couch with a glass of red wine. She turns and smiles at him.
“Did I tell you how sexy you look in a suit?” Her devilish grin has him thinking the suit isn’t an entirely a bad thing.
He sits beside her. “Mum and Dad are out to dinner and staying the night in a fancy hotel in the city, so I thought we could get takeout?” She places her red wine on the table and plants a kiss on his cheek. “How was your interview?”
“I begin on Monday. I met some of the staff.” He shrugs. “Everyone was pleasant.”
“Okay, great.” She takes his hand and squeezes.
“Not for Rose. I don’t want your mother to care for her five days a week. She has her own life.”
“I know. She said she doesn’t mind in the interim.” She lowers her gaze and smiles like she has a secret. “When the pool project ends, I’m going to resign. I’ll be home with Rose until I work out what I want to do. Either study or a change of work or both.”
He brings her in for a hug. “I’m proud of you. I’m sure this wasn’t a simple decision to make.”
“No, it wasn’t. I’m confident Dad will understand.” She lays her head on his shoulder and lets out a sigh.
“Maybe I should have a glass of wine with you to celebrate?”
Her eyebrows arch. “Is that wise?”
He understands her concern. His nausea comes and goes, yet he’s learning to live with it for now. “Only a small one as it seems we have much to celebrate. To add another thing to the list, the cooling-off period ended, and we’re now the proud owners of a new home.”
She smiles at him and takes his hand. “The one you boughtwithoutme.”
He strokes her face. “You’ll love it, I promise.”
“I’m sure I will.” She kisses his cheek. “In the future, big decisions are something we make together.” Eden opens her mouth and closes it, and he senses her holding back in not wanting to offend him. She desperately wants him to be happy living in her city. If only she knew he’d be happy anywhere if he’s with her. Spontaneity is unusual for him—only the house felt right. “You’re right. And if our home isn’t what you dreamed of, then we’ll sell and find something together.”
“Samuel, I trust you.” She curls into his side and wraps an arm around his waist.
Samuel rubs a hand over his heart. Her words weigh heavy on his chest, along with the other people in his life relying on him to ‘do the right thing,’ especially after what happened to the Ularan people.
