-UndoubtedlyYours-

141.

✧A DAMNING SENSE OF PLANNING✧

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There was no place to break up this chapter properly,
so enjoy a very long chapter!!

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The surgery had nearly been a week ago, and still, there was not a single difference between the first pregnancy test and the last. It felt as though there were so many hoops and bounds that there could never be a time to fully accept what's happened.

The worst feeling in the world was when her menstrual cycle had finally come, and Rhea had to share the news with her husband that they couldn't act on things for the next few days. Which seemed too distancing for his tastes, and he decided that they could use the time they would've spent simply in their embrace. Given that a medical wash was necessary anyway.

In the matter of the new treatment's suggestion, Rhea had yet to bring it up with Alphard. He may seem well versed in current events and didn't agree with the rest of his family on certain matters.

But that didn't stop the fact that he is from a different generation, one that is very similar to what her own parent's belief system was.

It's what nearly killed her, their lack of medical attention. And while she had voiced the option before, he hadn't pushed to try it—Even when she said it was the most effective and didn't waste much time.

So now, a week following that very appointment, she clutched the pamphlet in her hands and took the long route towards the dining room. Thankfully she had Binkt trailing just behind her, though when Rhea stopped to allow her feline companion to catch up, it allowed the small creature to nuzzle and pur at her mother's leg.

"You must know what's going on, you've been avoiding me lately, haven't you?"

Meow.

"Well, that's no good, love. I need some of your support, especially when I tell Alfie this news." She sighed, bending down to pick up her furry beloved and continuing on her way to the dining room.

And surprisingly enough, Alfie was already seated. Though his head was tilted back and his eyes were closed. "How was your day, love?"

"Hm, oh—Fine. Just bloody exhausted. I missed you this morning." A side effect from his tonics was certainly confirmed to be memory loss. So she had taken to leaving notes on his desk or telling the elves specifically—It wasn't anything concerning, just small bits of a conversation.

"I've been leaning towards doing the day shift...I thought it would be better in the long run." She claimed, smiling as she took her seat beside him. And he pulled his head and offered her the same, though his face looked readily pale and his eyes looked alarmingly sunken.

"Goodness, I hope you're not getting sick."
"I thought I was already sick." He teased, but once Rhea had pressed the back of her hand to his forehead, he hummed in delight. "Yes, but your immune system is very weak. You can still be at risk for a normal flu." He mumbled a few damnable phrases and hummed in response.

Thankfully, she was able to measure out an appropriate dosage of a pepper-up potion that wouldn't conflict with his tonics.

It was that sort of support that couldn't be paid for by a helper or live-in Healer—Something that Rhea was starting to think of as an option if things started to take a turn.

She didn't know if she could manage to care for him on his sick bed and support him. In all fairness, she would have to ask Corin for the organization the next time they return.