"Falling"

Here's To Hoping

The next two months pass by in a hurry. Every week, Bella sits down with Commander Ackles to write her letter to her father, and every week the letters she receives in return tell her to gather even more information.

The only upside to the last two months has been the time she got to spend with the Commander. And not just while he tells her what to write. They began taking morning rides together, talking about all that is happening and about each other. It's safe to say that if Bella hadn't already fallen for the man, she would have by now.

Bella sits in the garden, Mackenzie sitting next to her, enjoying the warmth of the sun, and thinking back on the last few weeks. It has been a minute since they got to spend time together, so when Mackenzie suggested they go to the garden, Bella had jumped at the suggestion, wanting to distract herself.

-"How have you been?" - Mackenzie has been worried about her friend, knowing all that is happening with Bella's father.

-"I've been better."

-"How so?"

-"I just... I just wish I was never in this situation, you know?"

-"I can only imagine how hard this must be for you, having to betray your father and everything that comes with it."

-"It's hard for me to betray him like this, but I would never forgive myself if I didn't do something."

-"I understand what you mean. But at the end of the day, you are doing the right thing. Even if I'm a bit biased."

-"I know, but it doesn't make things any easier. The only thing that brings me some comfort is knowing that, by doing this, I'm hopefully giving the King a fighting chance against my father. Not that he needs it, but still..."

-"Even if you are right, this way my brother can make sure that no meaningless loss of life occurs, which would happen if he didn't have some warning ahead of time."

-"I agree with you, but I do pray every night that my father reconsiders and things won't happen as we expect them to happen. I fear that if my father goes ahead with his plan, that not only will we have a full on war, but something else bad might happen."

-"What do you mean?"

-"I'm not sure. It's just a bad feeling I have. That's why I pray every night, in the hope that I'm wrong."

-"I have to admit I pray for the same thing, but I'm hopeful everything will be alright."

-"I hope you're right." - Bella stands and walks away, almost missing Mackenzie's answer.

-"So do I."