Addeline: The Darkness at the Heart of My Love [Papa Emeritus IV]

But he's the guy you wanna do

Papa returned with Addeline and Meliora the day after their show. It was time for them to leave for the next city and that meant spending the night on a tour bus with an infant. Addeline was very surprised to see that Swiss had returned to the tour bus she shared with Papa Emeritus. Although he knew it would be torturous to see the couple together, he wanted to be near his child as much as he could.

Upon seeing the woman, he couldn't help but fall into her embrace. She cradled the large man, guiding his head to rest on her shoulder as his silent tears moistened her shirt.

"I thought I lost you," he quietly said, careful not to let anyone around hear him.

She embraced him tightly before softly nudging him away, just as Papa appeared behind her. Following Papa's entrance, a beautiful young woman made her way onto the bus to mingle with everyone else.

"Hi," she said, playfully slapping Swiss on his back as she made her way past him.

Boring a look of skepticism, Addy asked hesitantly, "Who is that?"

"Oh, that's Aurora. She's the new ghoulette," Swiss smiled, sensing Addy's uneasiness.

Addy was no stranger to jealousy, threatened by beautiful women, and Aurora was certainly beautiful. Her dirty blonde hair cascaded in soft waves down her neck, framing the delicate features of her face. Small, almond-shaped eyes, a rich shade of brown, sparkled with an inner warmth that hypnotized even Addy. The woman's teeth, resembling porcelain veneers, gleamed with a pristine brightness every time she smiled, and her natural, full lips added an inviting softness to her expression. Aurora's high cheekbones accentuated her plump cheeks, giving her an air of both elegance and approachability. Her skin, glowing and free from blemishes, reminded Addy of a princess.

"Why is she here?" Addeline prodded for further information.

"The clergy sent her. Papa felt like we needed another soprano."

"When did she even get here?"

"Uh... Last night. She did the show with us."

"They really needed somebody else? I guess I'm not a good enough soprano."

Swiss laughed warmly and ruffled Addy's hair affectionately. "You're an amazing soprano, kid!"

*
In that delicate time after Addeline's surgery, both men in her life were cautious and respectful, waiting at least six weeks before even considering touching her. They were mindful of the potential impact on her recovery and chose to keep their distance, prioritizing her well-being above all else.

This was especially difficult for Papa, having the woman right beside him every night in bed, yet having to resist the strong temptation to touch her. The internal conflict was so intense that he even toyed with the idea of relocating to the other tour bus.

The constant crying of the newborn throughout the night played a significant role in dimming any romantic atmosphere that may have arisen. Addy, worn out from her recent ordeal and the demanding schedule of breastfeeding and sleep training, was also feeling the exhaustion from the non-stop care required for the baby.

Swiss stepped in whenever possible, caring for Meliora, comforting him, and of course keeping Kaisarion occupied when the tike's mother needed rest. Papa also assisted when he could, but the demands of the tour often kept him occupied, leading Swiss to take on a more paternal role. Copia was too busy to even notice the additional duties of his ghoul. Despite the added responsibility, Swiss embraced this role with a sense of pride and honor.

*
After those long six weeks had finally come to an end Addy found herself in Swiss's hotel room. As everyone headed into town, the couple took the opportunity to have a moment together. The group was excited to explore Russia before having to move on to Germany, but Addy subtly hinted to Papa that she needed rest, while Swiss craftily mentioned his need to stay behind and practice. They knew the band would be busy for a while, giving them a precious chance to be alone and enjoy each other's company.