Aideen's Answer

~Chapter Thirteen~

 "Papa," Aideen whispered, stepping over to the bed in order to grasp his hand.

 Unexpected tears filled her eyes but she brushed them away. It seemed she was always crying as of late.

 "My beautiful daughter," King Daniel smiled.

 He looked much better to Aideen. His face had regained its color and he sat propped up against the headboard. Cara sat upon the bed at his side, never letting go of his hand.

 "Papa, I am so-," Aideen struggled to speak past the lump that clogged her throat. "I am so terribly sorry for how I behaved. This is all my fault!" Her tears rushed down her cheeks as she apologized.

 "My dear girl, this was most definitely NOT any fault of yours! We had a disagreement, yes. But you did not cause this. Why, I had been feeling poorly all morning! And furthermore, does the Lord our God not watch over us? Just as he does even the smallest sparrow? This would not have happened if He had not allowed it. We are all in His hands. Do not bear guilt where there is none, child."

 Aideen nodded, glad her father was not angry with her.

 "Here, Darling, sit," Cara said softly as she set a chair behind Aideen, then slipped back to her place beside her husband.

 Aideen thanked her mother quietly as she eased into it, still clutching her fathers hand.

 "Now, Daughter, are you quite all right?"

 She could not stop the soft chuckle that escaped her.

 "You are the one bedridden, Father, yet your concern is for me?"

 "Bedridden? This bed can not hold me much longer! I shall be back to my normal duties in a day or two," Daniel said with an unconcerned wave of his hand.

 Aideen shared a smile with her mother at his enthusiasm.

 "But as for my concern, of course it is for you! A man must protect his family! And you have not yet answered me, Dear."

 "I will be fine, Papa," she answered, smiling.

 "Grand! That is just what I wanted to hear. Have you spoken to your brothers? I do worry about them, especially Mitchell."

 "Mitchell?" Aideen asked in surprise. "Why on earth are you worried over him? He is the least troublesome of us all! Jayden deserves your worry, not Mitch!"

 Daniel and Cara chuckled, "Be that as it may..."

He glanced at his wife and they both sobered. "We are rather, concerned, for him at the moment."

 "Once again, why?"

 "This entire experience has been extremely difficult on the poor boy," Daniel said.

 "We believe that Mitchell thought we were going to lose your Father, Aideen," Cara finished.

 "Oh. Oh poor Mitchell!"

 "Obviously, I plan to around for a nice long time, if the Lord allows! But I do not want your brother to be afraid, that is why I asked. Has he, mentioned anything to you?"

 "I wish I could help, Father, but I have not spoken to him," Aideen admitted.

 "Ah, it is just as well. I plan to have a nice long chat with him when I am back on my feet."

 "That would likely be best," Cara agreed.

 Aideen looked down at her lap, and noticed the white box once again. She had completely forgotten about it!