A Promise Across Time [Completed]

The Price of Time (2014)

2014
London

***FRIDA

After moving from Sweden to London in 1982, I never returned to my childhood neighborhood though I paid occasional visits to Agnetha and Bjorn in their home in Sweden. The streets were laden with beautiful yet bittersweet memories that lingered like echoes in my mind. Each corner held whispers of laughter and shouts of joy, but also traces of sadness that had shaped the person I had become. Perhaps one day, if I was fortunate enough to reunite with Raven, I would take her back there. It would be a way to share a piece of my past—a glimpse into the moments that molded me.

As I sat in the lanai, lost in thought, the soft chirping of crickets filled the evening air. I absently traced the patterns on the table, my mind drifting back to sun-drenched days in Sweden. Just as I was about to lose myself in nostalgia, the phone rang, slicing through the quiet.

The maid rushed to answer it, her soft footsteps barely audible as she hurried to find me. A moment later, she handed me the receiver, her face a mix of curiosity and concern.

"This is Frida," I said, pressing the phone to my ear. My breath caught in my throat as I processed the news I was hearing.

"My daughter Anni-Lisa is having a baby," I whispered to myself, gripping the phone tightly as I processed Eragon's words. He had called me in a panic, saying that Lisa had been calling out for me during her labor.

By the time I arrived at The Portland Hospital, my heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety. I was greeted at the entrance by Finnick, their long-time butler. His familiar face brought me some comfort amidst the storm of my emotions.

"Frida!" Finnick exclaimed, his usually composed demeanor replaced by a rare warmth. Ever since Lisa and Eragon started dating, Finnick had been my quiet source of information about their lives.

"Where is she?" I asked, the worry evident in my voice.

"She's resting now," he replied, guiding me through the hospital's quiet corridors. The walls were painted a soft, calming color, and the scent of antiseptic hung in the air. As we reached the room, I saw Eragon sitting beside Lisa, gently holding her hand.

"Mom." Eragon stood the moment he saw me, rushing over to embrace me tightly. "Thank you for coming. It means the world."

I returned the embrace, a soft smile tugging at my lips. "Of course, Eragon. I wouldn't be anywhere else."

Over the years, Eragon had treated me like his own mother, always showing me respect and warmth. It was something I never took for granted.

He glanced over at Lisa, who was now resting peacefully. "She's just fallen asleep. If I could ask—please don't wake her yet," he pleaded, his eyes reflecting both love and exhaustion.

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I won't wake her. For the meantime, I want to see my granddaughter."

At my words, Eragon's face brightened, his eyes lighting up. For a moment, I saw a familiar spark in them, a spark that stirred a distant memory. My heart began to race, but I pushed the feeling aside.

"Mom, are you alright? You look pale," Eragon asked, concern filling his voice.

I forced a smile, trying to calm him. "I'm fine, dear. Just a little tired. Do you mind if I use the bathroom?"

He nodded and pointed to the bathroom door. Once inside, I locked the door behind me and leaned against the sink, my heart pounding in my chest. With trembling hands, I opened my purse and pulled out a small, folded piece of paper sealed with a delicate ribbon. I had carried it with me for decades, knowing that one day, it would matter.