Mint and Honey

[KieranSoares]

"I always get up at this time." Alex smiled and rose once more. "Sleep in if you like. There's no rush."

 

[heartofcourage]

When Alex entered the living area, Valentina was already there, sitting in her chair in a robe as Ruari listened to her heart with a listening device. “Is it still there, bambino?” She asked softly with a smile to her youngest son.

“It sounds slow.” Ruari murmured, looking up at her with a worried gaze.

“It’s because I’m resting. It’ll get faster when I get up and move around.” Valentina murmured, brushing her fingers through his messy hair. “When Mama’s tired, it will be slower. It’s nothing to be afraid of.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex didn't make any comment on the situation, stepping over to kiss Valentina's cheek before smiling to Ruari. "You make sure to keep an eye on her, or she'll get into trouble."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I suppose you’re going to check in on my patients today.” Valentina murmured as Ruari snuggled up against her side. “Your Da is already outside gathering herbs to dry and getting firewood to cook breakfast. At least stay until the meal is done.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex took a long look at his mother, seeing her olive skin paled and her eyes dull. "You're staying home," he nodded. "But I'll stay a while."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I can go with Alex and help him.” Ruari said softly as if that would solve everyone’s problems.

“You can stay here with me and practice your Italian.” Valentina said instead, rating her head against Ruari’s with a tired sigh. “Mama just wants to snuggle with you in front of the fire today, bambino. It makes me feel better.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex quietly left the two to help Theo, and soon Viola was out to join as well. When Francesca emerged, Alex made sure to come and hug her tightly. "Morning, lovely," he murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Did Yasmine spend the night?” Franny asked as Alex came to hug her. “She’s in the living room talking to Mama.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"She did." Alex smiled. "What say you, once I get back around noon, you and I go have a special lunch together? Just us."

 

[heartofcourage]

Franny gave her brother an odd look as he offered to take her on a special lunch for just the both of them. “I guess we can. Why do you want to spend time with me all the sudden?”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Because I realized I haven't had much one-on-one time with you since Ruari was born. It used to be just you and me, and then we looked after Vi together. And now you're nearly an adult and I realized I barely know my baby sister anymore."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Sure, I guess.” Franny said softly as Alex explained why he wanted to have lunch with her. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"You guess?" Alex teased. "If you don't want to spend time with your big brother, you can say so."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I do want to spend time with you but...people usually don’t want to spend time with me. I guess it’s something new.” Franny said with a shrug of her shoulders.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We do, love. I promise. But there's always something important to do and we forget to spend time with people we love."

 

[heartofcourage]

Franny simply nodded at that, knowing that she would have to take whatever attention they were willing to give her between Ruari and her mother’s illness. “Then we’ll have lunch. Just the two of us.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex sighed and hugged her tightly. "Til then, you just make sure no one falls apart today." Kissing her cheek, he went to get his things ready so he could leave right after breakfast.

 

[heartofcourage]

Viola helped her father with breakfast, serving everyone as Valentina dozed by the fire. The dark shadows on her face demanded sleep and rest over food. That would come when she was awake next time. Ruari watched her from his spot at the table with concern, his young mind consumed with the idea that something was seriously wrong with his mother.

 

[KieranSoares]

Theo reached out to pull Ruari's chair closer, hugging the boy against his side. He had already given his son all the words of reassurance and comfort he could, so he said nothing, simply encouraging Ruari to eat.

 

[heartofcourage]

Ruari leaned into his da’s side, not interested in eating. Soon enough, he was slipping away from the table to rejoin Valentina. He settled at her side, wrapping her arm around himself as he tried to make himself feel better. Yasmine watched him go with a bit of heartache. She knew what it was like to watch someone you love go through a terrible illness.

“When I go to the keep to check on the drakes, I can send Vincenzo back. There might be nothing that he can do for her, but she might feel better seeing her father.” Yasmine suggested softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Tha'd be much appreciated," Theo murmured. "They'll both be good fer each other righ' now." Vincenzo was undoubtedly fading, and Theo was terrified of how Valentina would take it when the old man passed. But he hoped they both made their peace together.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine nodded and quickly finished her meal, leaving with Alex as the rest finished up their breakfast. Before he could get too far away from her, she pulled him to a stop and made him look at her. “Are you alright?” She asked softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex paused to meet Yasmine's gaze. She had seen first hand how he could put on a straight face and be completely calm in the face of tough situations. "I'm fine," he said simply, as if a bit surprised she was worried. But Yasmine had come to know him well enough to see the tell in his eyes. He was worried sick.

 

[heartofcourage]

“She’s strong. That’s all you need to remember.” Yasmine said softly, seeing the worry in his gaze. “She’ll pull through this in the end.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex let his mask falter a bit. "We'll see, love." He leaned in to kiss her and sighed. "I certainly hope so."