Chapter 14: Ontrack or offtrack
Amber woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and free, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. It was a rare sensation for her, especially in recent days, when her nightmares had been tormenting her. But this morning was different. She had slept soundly, without the usual haunting dreams of her sister hating her and disowning her. Instead, she dreamt of the real version of her sister, the one who held her close and whispered words of love and affection. In her dream, her sister's arms had wrapped around her, comforting her and soothing away her fears. Amber felt liberated, and a genuine smile graced her lips as she basked in the newfound sense of freedom and happiness.
Getting out of bed, she stretched her limbs and made her way to the living room. There, she found Caleb and Lilian curled up together on the floor, a little green jacket serving as a makeshift blanket. Amber couldn't help but smile at the sight of them, but she decided not to disturb their peaceful slumber. Instead, she quietly left the room and headed towards Cole's.
Cole was already wide awake, engaged in some silent games with himself. As soon as he noticed Amber, he leaped off the bed, excitement dancing in his eyes.
"Good morning! Where's Daddy and Auntie Lily?" he asked eagerly.
"They're both still asleep," Amber replied, her voice soft. "But I can help you get ready for the day so your dad will be proud of you for getting ready on your own."
Cole pondered the idea for a moment before agreeing, "After bath play?"
Amber chuckled at his enthusiasm. "Yes, after bath play," she confirmed, ruffling his hair playfully.
As Amber and Cole finished getting ready, they headed to the kitchen, where Caleb and Lilian were busy cooking breakfast. After some time, Amber decided to broach the subject that had been on her mind.
"So, um, is the marriage still on?" she asked casually.
Caleb responded earnestly, "Yes, I would still like to marry your sister if she would have me."
Lilian's blush deepened as she replied in a hushed tone, "Yes."
Amber smiled softly to herself, satisfied that their relationship was back on track. Caleb didn't want to propose during breakfast without any special decorations or fanfare, but he was determined to make another proposal, one that would be more elaborate and appropriate.
In the past month, Lilian's life had seen significant changes. She had been granted permission to visit her father in the hospital, and she went to see him every day. As time passed, the doctors grew more confident in her father's full recovery, finally allowing her to share the news with Amber, who had initially been kept in the dark.
Amber, though briefly upset at being left out, quickly understood why Lilian had kept it a secret. From that point on, both sisters had been visiting the hospital together, and their relationship had grown stronger than ever. They worked diligently to mend their bond, and their efforts had paid off.
Meanwhile, Caleb's relationship with both sisters was blossoming beautifully. They put in the effort to ensure their family dynamic was healthy and positive. Caleb couldn't help but feel lucky to have them in his life, and seeing the sisters work on rebuilding their relationship brought him immense happiness.
For Amber, her life had taken a positive turn as well. She relished the opportunity to be part of a loving family once again. She had everything she could wish for, except for her father, who had yet to wake up. Despite the uncertainty, she held onto hope that he would recover.
As the days passed, Caleb found himself transformed by the presence of the Evan sisters. They had opened him up emotionally, allowing him to experience life more fully. Laughter and smiles came more easily to him now, and he cherished every moment spent with them. He couldn't imagine his life without them, and what made him even happier was witnessing the sisters' efforts to rebuild their bond.
For Cole, life had never been better. With Aunt Lily and Aunt Amber living with them, he had all the fun and mischief he could ever wish for. He even had someone to help him with his homework, tuck him into bed, and make delicious lunches. To his seatmates at school, he proudly declared that he now had a mommy, and these were the happiest days of his young life.
As Lilian sat by her father's bedside one day, reading to him, she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing. Her father had been unconscious for so long, and she missed their conversations. She put the book down and gently squeezed her father's hand, silently pleading with him to wake up.
"Dad, please wake up," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "I miss you so much."
"I'm saying it out loud now so you can make fun of me for being sentimental," she continued, tears glistening in her eyes, "but please wake up."
She waited for a response, her heart pounding with hope, but there was no immediate reaction. This wasn't the first time she had tried to coax him back to consciousness. Just as she was about to leave the room to get something, she felt a slight twitch in her father's hand, followed by his voice calling out her name, "Lilian."
Her eyes widened in disbelief and joy. Her father's eyes had opened, and he was speaking to her. She was overwhelmed with emotion, and she rushed to hold his hand, trying to calm him as the heart monitor started beeping wildly.
"Dad, please calm down," she pleaded, her voice filled with love and concern. She leaned in closer to hear his words, and as she listened, she received a shock that would change everything.
But before she could ask for more details, the doctors hurried into the room and ushered her out. Her father's awakening had brought a surge of hope, but it was followed by a flurry of medical activity and questions. Lilian was left standing outside the room, her heart pounding with a mix of emotions, knowing that their lives were about to take an unexpected turn.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone