There were preparations for Rose's coming that Cephas couldn't help but chip in here and there. Hannah believing him to know her true and true would ask what he thought she'd like more, or what her favorite color was, or maybe what flower he thought she'd prefer. He really did not want to partake in it, but she would come to him excited and her eyes bright and he didn't have the heart to turn her down.
The crazy part? He always had an answer, he would even catch himself smiling when he got lost in their memory, then he'd shake his head and go find something else to do.
Rose had chosen her path and left him out. She had picked her world over him and although he did not hold it against her, it still hurt. She had made him feel like he wasn't necessary, and he couldn't blame her. He understood duty, he understood its sacrifices.
But it still hurt.
But like he had when Hannah had asked him if he was okay with staying even while Rose was here, he sucked it up and forged on. He could not leave, Hannah needed him. She had Jasper, of course, but his presence didn't hurt. Or maybe he was the one who needed her. Maybe he was the one who yearned for the closeness of family. His parents were in ɡəˈzel, but he had a bond with Hannah that was special, and with everything that had happened, he found it hard to leave her side. Not yet at least.
~~~~
The day of Rose's arrival brought blue skies and happy smiles. It was almost easy to forget that this wasn't any festive visit. Rose's people were in a kind of danger that he didn't fully understand. Maybe when she came and explained he would. Maybe he could help. maybe.
Hannah met him in his room, his back to her. He knew it was her before she wrapped her arms around him and spoke up.
" I know this is hard for you," I had actually dressed up for the occasion, and actually laughed at myself for trying. But I wasn't going to look like I have suffered all this time without her. Even though, I have.
" There were moments after we parted that I didn't see how I could ever live without her. I would want to run to Fae and beg her, just beg to choose and not duty. But I couldn't because somehow I tried to get it, somehow it made sense. I tried to hate, it but never quite achieved it. "
He turned to Hannah and met her sad eyes. And that was exactly what he had been trying to avoid.
" I love her, Hannah. I never stopped and maybe a part of me wants to see her again, wants her to be okay." He shrugged, " But I don't hate you for letting her come here."
She gripped him so hard the air left his lungs, " she's suffered too, Cephas. I give you my word."
Hannah's words struck him and they mattered, but he was going to have to see it for himself.
~~~~
They all waited by the Fae tree. Hannah, with Jasper beside her, her parents behind her. And Cephas at the back. He would face this, because what other choice did he have?
Cowering and hiding out was not his thing, and he had no desire to start now. So he stood with them, waiting for the woman he had thought about for years unending to come through.
And when she did, he could have sworn everything went still.
She was still as beautiful as ever, and could still make a man weak to his knees at the sight of her. Her fiery red hair flew in the direction of the wind that made leaves rustle around her.
She was divine. And she was here.
" Hannah!" She squealed and ran toward her, and they caught each other in a hug of two friends who were truly sisters of the heart, " Rose!" Hannah cried.
I couldn't help but smile. She may have left me, but she most definitely made for one hell of a friend.
" you're here Rose," Hannah said when they pulled apart still holding on to her hand, then as if she remembered we were all here turned to face us, " Everyone, Rose is here!"
Everyone laughed as Jasper walked up to Rose to embrace her and then so did Hannah's parents. It was then she saw Cephas. Standing in, watching her the way he always did when they were young, and thought what they had would be forever.
" Cephas." She said quietly, a smile on her face. She always looked beautiful when she smiled like that. As if he was the only one she truly saw,
" Welcome, Rose." He didn't walk toward her and she didn't go to him either. Just nodded and they were both saved when Hannah rushed to Rose's side,
"Come then, come get settled. I have a room prepared for you." it took all she was to draw her eyes away from Cephas, and when she finally did, Jasper was at Cephas's side.
" Not so bad brother," Jasper said as both women walked away,
" No one would even be able to tell that your mind went blank." Cephas jabbed him in his side.
" Not another word," He grumbled and Jasper laughed.
~~~
He thought about it all day. He had missed the meal everyone had had with Rose saying he had something he needed to tend and no one gave him grief about it.
But who evening came, because of how restless he felt he decided to go see her and welcome her properly. Extend a hand of friendship.
He walked out of his room before he could change his mind and made his way to Rose's. He knocked softly and listened for her, and was soon greeted by her.
His smile came quickly.
" Hello," he said, trying for some cheer. But he didn't feel cheery inside. Those eyes of hers that watched him with surprise threatened to be the death of him,
" Cephas, come in," she made way for him and he walked, quickly noticed she had been packing,
" Going somewhere?" He asked, turning to her, she walked past him and tried to put them away, but he held her hand,
" Rose?"
" I didn't exactly come here to stay," she said simply,
"But you just got here."
"Well, I'm not leaving right at this moment. I just need to get things in order," she said and looked up at him.
It was just then he noticed just how tired her eyes were. She had dark circles underneath her eyes and that was saying a lot for a Fae. Saying a lot for her.
He reached out to her, but she stepped backward.
She was feeling too vulnerable and she had a feeling that if he so much as caressed her, she might break down in front of him.
And given the fact that their history was altogether a pleasant one, breaking down in his arms was out of the question.
"I'll be damned." He whispered,
" excuse me?"
" Rose, even if it's happening in ten days to come, I'm not letting you go on your own." Cephas said mildly, while she gathered clothes and dumped them into a satchel.
" Let me? Let me?" she turned, her wild mane of red hair flying, green eyes flashing.
Did he dare tell her how beautiful she looked at that moment?
"You don't let me do anything, Cephas. I make my own choices. I've been making them for a while now." she met his eyes, and found her outburst didn't unsettle him.
Just as well, she thought. She blows her top and the man remains unaffected, just like him.
She kept placing clothes in the bag.
And when he walked toward her and dragged the bag and upturned the clothes, she truly lost it.
" What is wrong with you?"
" with me?" he asked, his brow cocked. "I'm not the one looking for an adventure that could get me killed!" he fired back
" That's my problem now, isn't it?" she retorted, brushing her hair away from her face. " last time I checked, nothing concerning me, concerned you!" she said, her voice catching, and ran out of the room.
He ran a hand across his face. " Ahhh, Damn me!"
" Indeed." he turned around in surprise and met Hannah's astounded face, That showed the smile she tried and failed to hide.
"What are you smiling about?" He asked, his mood now sour. Hannah looked at a spot above his head,
" Just admiring the new lights. A great addition. Might ask Jasper to place one in our room." He shook his head and walked to Rose's bed. Her clothes were scattered all over.
" Why am I surrounded by stubborn, annoying women?" He murmured, running his hand across his face.
" Oi!" He looked at her, as she walked closer toward him. And when she sat beside him, placed a hand around his shoulders.
" Give her time. She'll come around." He shook his head.
" she will."
" It's not time that woman needs. Just good sense."
Hannah made a face, " Or for you to understand to understand why she needs to do this."
He looked at his little cousin, all grown up.
" And what could her reason be?"
" Hmmm, I don't know Cephas, you might need to ask her, hear what she has to say." she rolled her eyes, "and don't go around, pouring her clothes all around the place."
He chuckled in spite of himself, " That was too much. I might owe her an apology."
" Not might. You do. I understand you care for her. But she's a strong, independent woman. What you did right here," she gestured toward the upturned clothes,
" Kind of insulted that."
He huffed out a breath. He was getting schooled, and he wasn't sure he liked it much.
" I'll apologize. I might even help her repack." Hannah tilted her head and smiled a bit.
" So, you're ready to let her go?"
" of course not! I said might."
" Oh okay, forgive my slip up."
She got up, and wobbled a bit, Cephas got immediately, to steady her.
" I'm okay, just got up too fast." He smiled tenderly down at her, touching her cheek with his thumb.
" Little, Han girl." And that earned him a very big smile, the way she did when she was younger, easing the knot in his chest.