Pirate Princess: Years Later

Chapter 7: Seraphina Asks Her Mom if She's Okay

The days following Derrick's funeral were quiet and somber in their home. Seraphina had thrown herself into her college work, trying to keep her mind occupied, while Alira seemed to move through the house like a ghost, her once-vibrant energy now dimmed by grief. The loss of Derrick weighed heavily on both of them, but Seraphina could tell that her mother was struggling more than she let on.

One evening, as the sun began to set, casting a soft golden glow through the windows, Seraphina found her mother sitting alone at the kitchen table, staring blankly at a cup of tea that had long gone cold. Alira's face was pale, and her eyes, usually so full of life, were dull and tired.

Seraphina hesitated in the doorway, unsure if she should disturb her mother's solitude, but her concern outweighed her hesitation. She quietly walked over to the table and sat down across from Alira, her gaze searching her mother's face.

"Mama, are you okay?" Seraphina asked gently, her voice full of worry.

Alira looked up, as if just noticing Seraphina's presence. She forced a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine, sweetheart," she replied, though her voice lacked conviction.

Seraphina wasn't convinced. She reached across the table and took her mother's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to pretend with me, Mama. I can tell something's wrong. You've been... different since Papa passed."

Alira sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping as if the weight of the world was pressing down on them. She squeezed Seraphina's hand back, her eyes filling with tears. "It's just... everything feels so overwhelming right now. Losing your father... it's like a part of me is missing. But it's not just that, Seraphina. I've been feeling... off, physically. I'm tired all the time, and I've been getting these strange pains..."

Seraphina's heart skipped a beat, her worry intensifying. "Mama, that doesn't sound good. Have you seen a doctor?"

Alira nodded slowly. "I've been putting it off, hoping it would just go away on its own. But I know I can't ignore it any longer. I've made an appointment with the doctor for tomorrow."

Seraphina's grip tightened on her mother's hand, her mind racing with all the possibilities. "Do you want me to go with you? I don't want you to go through this alone."

Alira smiled softly, a genuine smile this time, touched by her daughter's concern. "Thank you, my dear, but I think I need to do this on my own. I need to be strong, for you and for Galaxiana. But I promise I'll let you know as soon as I find out what's going on."

Seraphina nodded, though she wasn't entirely reassured. The thought of something being seriously wrong with her mother filled her with dread, but she didn't want to add to Alira's burden by expressing her fears.

"Okay, Mama. But please... don't keep anything from me. We're in this together, no matter what."

Alira reached across the table and cupped Seraphina's cheek, her touch warm and comforting. "You're so much like your father, you know that? Brave and caring, always putting others first. I'm so proud of the young woman you've become, Seraphina."

Tears welled up in Seraphina's eyes, but she blinked them away, determined to stay strong. "I'm just trying to be strong, like you, Mama. We'll get through this, whatever it is, together."

Alira nodded, her eyes shining with love for her daughter. "Yes, we will."

They sat together in silence for a while, holding hands, finding comfort in each other's presence. As the evening wore on and the shadows in the room grew longer, Seraphina couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest. She prayed that the doctor's visit would bring good news, but a part of her couldn't help but fear the worst.

The next morning, after a restless night, Seraphina watched as her mother prepared to leave for the doctor's appointment. Alira tried to reassure her with a smile, but Seraphina could see the worry etched in her mother's features.

"I'll be back soon," Alira said as she slipped on her coat. "Try not to worry too much, okay?"

Seraphina nodded, though the knot in her stomach refused to loosen. "I'll be waiting for you, Mama. Call me if you need anything."

Alira gave her daughter a quick hug before stepping out the door. As Seraphina watched her mother walk down the path, disappearing into the distance, she whispered a silent prayer that everything would be okay.

But as the door closed behind her, the house felt emptier than ever, and Seraphina couldn't shake the feeling that their lives were about to change in ways she couldn't yet comprehend.