To Infinity and Beyond

Lion's Mouth

Alice's POV

"But he asked you on a date, and you said yes." Rose caressed little Asher as he latched onto her to feed.
I have been visiting them in the hospital ever since she gave birth. She was getting discharged later in the day today. When she insisted, I told her about Mark and all that has been happening lately.

"Yes. I did. In fact, he has been in touch these past two days too. Still, I can't rub off the fact that he is there on a business trip with his first true love."

"Thank God! If he hadn't been in touch this time, I would have whipped his lazy ass." Rose's sarcasm-dipped voice made me chuckle, which was unfortunately shortlived, as she turned to reprimand me. "And Alice, please! Emma is his friend and they work together, getting jealous doesn't suit you at all. Looks completely unnecessary to me."

"Really? Then tell me something, Rose. Casper has till date not gotten over his first true love. He still hasn't forgotten Avery. Does that not bother you at all? Does it not make you insecure?" Her sharp eyes immediately went soft at my retort, and she was now averting direct eye contact. She took Asher in her arms and carefully placed him in his crib. The sudden change in her spirit and mood, made me regret asking her this very sensitive question.

She took a deep breathe and sat on the couch next to me, "I am sorry, Rose. I didn't intend to upset you."

"You didn't. And you are right, Casper is not over Avery, and I don't think he will ever be. He doesn't want to be married again because he was left at the altar, ten freaking years ago." Rose snapped, and I could sense the built-up emotions in her voice. She was getting teary-eyed. I gently rubbed her back as she continued to pour her heart out.

"But that doesn't mean his love for me is any less Alice. He is always so good to me. He cares for
me. Maybe it's not the same as Avery, but what we have is beautiful in its own way."

"I am sure Rose. You are so brave, I admire your love, and it's strength." I gave her a tight hug, and the rest of the tears welled up in her eyes soaked through my cardigan.

"Love is so complicated, Alice. There are no absolutes. When you love someone, you love their imperfections as well; you love their past, their scars as well. I respect his feelings. Always had and always will." Rose was choking on her words as she spoke, but unknowingly she was teaching me life inspiring lessons. I didn't know if I could ever feel this deeply for someone, but one thing was certain, these people were all cut from the same cloth. Their selflessness was exemplary, and somehow I felt I didn't deserve to be a part of their lives.

What will they think of me when they will know about my past?

"This is not fair. I always make you laugh, and here you are turning me into an emotional mess." Rose gave me a soft punch and got me out of my trance. Soon she calmed herself and her cheerful grin was back on.

"I am sorry, but you are still all hormonal. Blame maternity, not me." I winked at her, and she started giggling all the more.

"That's true. But back to your problem Alice, just relax okay? For crying out loud, Emma is happily married!"

"Right! And for crying out loud, Avery is dead!" We both gave each other death stares again. Rose threw a pillow at me, which I ducked, and seconds later, both of us burst out laughing.

Dead or married, accepting your partner's long lost true love was hard work, and we were only humans to allow our guard down every once a while.

The rest of the day passed in a wink. I helped Rose pack her stuff and played with Asher while waiting for Casper to pick them up. They were kind enough to offer to drop me home as well.