Undercity: Manifest

Chapter Twelve

The drive to Emilie's house passed by in a comfortable silence as Ben drove through the city and into the lower North district. He pulled the police car into an empty space on the side of the road opposite a row of single-story houses and turned the ignition off. Sadie had only seen her sister a handful of times since starting her training. She told herself it was because she was busy, but really, she couldn't face her knowing what she knew. When she didn't move to get out of the car, Ben climbed out of the drivers' seat and moved over to the passenger side opening her door for her and offering an encouraging smile.

'You ready?'

'Guess so.'

Sadie had arranged to meet her sister for lunch during her break in the middle of their shift. It made sense for Ben to join them as they were on patrol together. Not feeling like she was lying made it sit easier with her. The plan was for Sadie to ask for the ring to photograph claiming she had a surprise planned for when the baby was born. Truthfully, she needed her to take it off so that Ben could try to sense her magic. That part was a lie and she hated it. No matter her reasons, the whole visit felt deceptive.

Emilie was already standing in the open doorway of her home when Sadie stepped out of the car. Her belly had become swollen into a clearly defined bump only slightly hidden by the shirt she wore over her leggings. What should have filled Sadie with joy and excitement, only caused the weight of dread to bear down on her from all angles.

'Look at you in your uniform. You look amazing.' Emilie greeted Sadie warmly. 'You must be Ben, it's so lovely to meet you.' She extended her hand to shake his before pulling Sadie into a hug. Ben returned the greeting before he was invited inside.

'Hi Em, thanks for having us'. Sadie moved into the house and noted there were three plates of sandwiches accompanied by glasses filled with orange juice already laid out on the dining table.

The house was slightly bigger than the flat the sisters previously shared. It was neat, welcoming, and adorned with pictures laid out tastefully between various ornaments. This wasn't Sadie's first visit to her sister's home. She had been enough times to notice the newly framed picture of a baby scan sitting pride-of-place above the fire. Another reminder that time was slipping away from them both.

'Sit down and eat before it gets warm.' Emilie's joke rose a deep chuckle from Ben.

The three of them fell into easy conversation as they ate, but as time passed, Sadie was contributing less and less. When Emilie excused herself to go to the bathroom, Ben checked in with her.

'You doing okay?'

'Yeah. It's just hard seeing her so excited knowing...' She couldn't finish her sentence.

'In a few minutes that could all change. I might not get a reading.'

Emilie re-joined them before Sadie had chance to answer him. She chose instead to get the next part of her visit over with.

'Em, I have surprise planned for when the baby comes.' Her sister's eyes lit up and it made Sadie's stomach turn. 'Can I borrow your engagement ring. I just need to take a picture of it.' Who knows if it was believable or not, but Emilie removed her ring and passed it over into Sadie's waiting palm without hesitation.

'I have no idea what you could possibly be planning Sadie. Just don't do anything crazy.' Emile placed a hand on her bump. 'We've had enough surprises for one year'.

Sadie forced a breathy laugh and snapped the photo, checking with Ben briefly, before handing it back to her. He had feigned checking his watch, as they planned, to indicate that he had found what he needed to know. His face gave nothing away.