A Lumen Ripple | An Elemental Story

Chapter 11 - The Right Choice

Home time. It was an idea Wade had been loving all day given what he'd dealt with. No amount of Mutrick, Rocky, or Dusty could ruin his mood now, for his Ember were to lock eyes with him in but a moment or two. With this, he entered the elevator up to Casa de le Sea-Near, satchel, and the heaviest of hearts in tow. He looked down at his phone, on it the time reading 6 pm. What began as a flat expression weathered by the day's events soon turned to a grateful gaze as it dawned on him; the hurt was over for the day. It was easy coasting from here on out.

The elevator doors opened to the 25th floor, and out strutted an albeit-tired Wade to the front door. He gave it a hearty knock.

"It's open!" a voice called out.

He threw it open, taking a heaping gulp of breath.

"I'm home!" he exclaimed.

Uncle and Aunty Sea-Near - one preparing dinner whilst the other preparing the table - looked over to him, flailing their arms in greeting.

"Wadey!" they exclaimed in rejoicing.

As the exclamation came to a gentle close, a loud pitter-pattering of feet sounded; indicating Ember's up and about. She threw the bedroom door open with a PPE suit on and leaped down the staircase in one go, sprinting up to Wade. Seeing her not slowing in the slightest, Wade threw his satchel aside, readying himself to catch her. She jumped from unnecessarily far away at him, nearly knocking the poor droplet off his feet on impact. A sharp sizzle indicated so.

"WHOA-- Ember!" he exclaimed, laughing.

He gently put her down, chuckling in the process.

"Talk about a 'welcome home'." he thought aloud.

Ember chuckled as she squeezed him tight, shutting her eyes.

"So good to have you home," she admired.

Wade's mouth fell agape as she said it. He knew it; the wave of her love could conquer any of his inner demons. He smiled brightly, returning her tight hug.

Watching from afar in intrigue, the Sea-Nears finished up the dinner preparations.

"Good timing. Dinner-- she is served!" Uncle Sea-Near quipped.

The Sea-Near kids all leaped up to the table as Wade and Ember slowly walked over, taking their seats. As the group of 7 finally sat at the table - smiles were ubiquitous. Feeling she wasn't close enough, Ember shuffled her chair and food closer over to Wade. He returned her a gentle smirk in admiration. He looked back over, ready to eat, before realizing what it was. To his genuine surprise, his favorite dish lay in front of him;

"You guys! Fresh-water soup; my favorite!" he exclaimed.

Like he were one of the children present, Wade dove face-first into the food, making a meal of it. Ember giggled at his lack of restraint, looking over to her own dish of Kol-nuts. She picked one up and held it in front of her mouth - still in awe of Wade's demeanor.

"Tell us, Mr. Exciteable. What's been going on in your world today?" she asked.

Concurring with her, the Sea-Nears leaned in with smiles abroad.

Caught quite off-guard, Wade momentarily choked on his food, taking a moment to clear his throat. The Sea-Near parents looked at each other in worry about their poor nephew's eating ability.

"Sorry-- sorry. No, today was good. Today was fine." he answered.

Without a moment's hesitation, he dove back into his food, causing Ember to guffaw in intrigue.