Hidden Heart: A Saga Of Redemption

Not Here & Not There

[Amelia's ears perked up at his word. She eagerly finished the last spoonful of soup, her curiosity getting the better of her.]

Amelia: (wide-eyed, with a cute tilt of her head) What is it? Show me, show me!

[Victor chuckled softly, enjoying her enthusiasm. After she finished, he pulled out a small packet from his pocket but kept it hidden in his hand, his eyes twinkled with mischief.]

Victor: (grinning) Hmm, I'm not sure if you deserve it... after all, you've been quite the stubborn patient today.

[Amelia's eyes widened even more, and she leaned forward, trying to see what he was hiding. She puffed out her cheeks adorably, giving him her best pleading look.]

Amelia: (pouting sweetly) Victor, pleeeeease? I promise I'll be good! (Innocently) Just tell me, what is it?

[Victor couldn't resist her cute plea. With a playful sigh, he slowly revealed the packet; a bright, colorful bag of jellybeans. Her face lit up like a child on Christmas morning.]

Amelia: (gasping, with pure joy) Jellybeans! Oh, Victor, you're the best!

[Though she was weak but she practically bounced in her seat, reaching out eagerly for the packet. But just as she was about to grab it, Victor pulled it back slightly, raising an eyebrow in mock seriousness.]

Victor: (softly, but firmly) Now, hold on there, little miss. I've asked the Doctor and you can only have two.

[Amelia's excitement dimmed a bit, her lips forming a tiny pout as she stared longingly at the jellybeans.]

Amelia: (whining cutely) Just two? But they're so small, Victor! How can I stop at two?

[Victor chuckled at her adorable pout, moving forward he gently tapped her nose with his finger.]

Victor: (gently) I know, I know. But you need to take care of yourself first. Just two, okay? Then once you're all better, I'll get you a whole mountain of jellybeans. Deal?

[Amelia scrunched up her nose in thought, then sighed dramatically, as if she were making a huge sacrifice.]

Amelia: (reluctantly, with a tiny smile) Fine... Just two.

[Victor chuckled softly, opening the packet handed it to her.]

Victor: Yes (chuckling softly). Only two.

[Amelia's excitement dimmed just a little. Two jellybeans? That wasn't nearly enough. She carefully took out five or six and cradling them in her palm like precious treasures.]

Victor: (playfully) Hey, that's more than two!

[Before she could react, Victor's hand gently but quickly covered hers, pulling away the extra jellybeans.]

Victor: (pulling) Give it to me Ame......

[He held them out of her reach, a teasing smile on his lips.]

Amelia: (pouting, trying to reach for them) Victor, no fair!

Victor: (grinning, holding them just out of reach) Only two, Amelia. Doctor's orders.

[Amelia huffed adorably, her cheeks puffing out in a cute pout, but she knew she wasn't going to win this one. She reluctantly ate just the two jellybeans, savoring them slowly while Victor watched her with a fond smile.]

Victor: (softly) You're impossible, you know that?

Amelia: (angrily) And you're a bad person, you know that?

Victor: (slowly, pretending to be disappointed) I know.

Amelia: (stop chewing) Hey, I didn't meant to.....(stopped)