Love Metamorphosis

Chapter 26

                  

When Eric's youngest sister, Jessica, arrived from Oregon everyone decided that Adele needed to rest. Jemma could tell Jessica and Eric didn't want to leave, and Mary had finally woken up and went over to speak with the doctor. Her grave look didn't bode well and Jemma offered to take Adele to a hotel for a nap. Honestly she needed one just as badly since she hadn't slept a wink on the plane.

Once Adele had eaten a good portion of a cold sandwich from the deli across the street and Jemma had eaten most of hers, the little girl started to yawn. Calling to let Eric know which hotel they were in she gathered up their things and headed for the hotel. Gently urging her into the elevator Jemma had ended up taking her into her arms and into the hotel room already asleep. Carrying her to the bed she took off her shoes and tucked her in but when she had tried to go the little dear had called out for her mom.

Exhausted Jemma took off her shoes and curled up next to the little girl holding her as she cried in her sleep. She smoothed her hair back from her face over and over again, humming to amazing grace in an attempt to comfort her. Soon her breathing leveled out and Jemma's eyelids became heavy. She was drifting in and out; the slight light that leaked into the room between the curtains became less visible.

The next instant she felt a hand shaking her awake, she was groggy and her mouth was dry. She could feel Adele against her and slowly pushed herself away from the sleeping child. Her lips were chapped and she licked them instinctively. She pushed her hair out of her face, it was a little bit of everywhere, and rubbed her eyes in an attempt to see who had roused her.

Her eyes slowly adjusted to see Eric standing next to the bed, waiting for her to see him. "Eric what is it?" She asked drowsily.

He sat down next to her legs, which were still under the covers, and put his elbows in his knees and his head in his hands. "Lizzy passed away an hour ago." He said almost inaudibly.

Jemma covered her mouth; her heart ached for his loss and for the orphaned little girl next to her. "I am so sorry."

"Me too," he said straightening look out into the dark room as though there was comfort in the shadows, "I don't know how I am going to tell Addie."

She drew closer to him, putting a hand on his arm. "You will find a way. Who is going to care for her?" She asked.

"Jessica and I discussed it, I am Adele's godfather, I am going to take care of her." He answered with a heavy heart. She could hear it in his voice.

Jemma was able to press a strained smile onto her face, "Your sister would be relieved to know her daughter will be so well cared for."

He turned and smiled at her before reaching for her hair, "You must have been so exhausted, you didn't even change."

She was happy that it was dark in the room because she felt a blush rising up into her cheeks as he straightened her bed hair. He must have seen it in her eyes when he finished focusing on her hair because his hand stopped. They sat there in the dark, a mixture of fear and love tightened her chest and she couldn't look away.

"Jemma," he said hoarsely as though a great emotion was caught in his throat. His hand sliding down to rest on her cheek as his thumb caressed her cheekbone. Her eyes widened as fear seized her heart.

He must have sensed her fear because he pulled his hand away and the heat inside her seemed to go with it. Her cheek felt almost bare and cold without his hand there. He stood and went to the window to peer through the curtains, as the light leaked across his face she saw his jaw set in a determined lock. His weary eyes absentmindedly scanned the building tops, and she could only bear to look at him a moment before turning to look down at Adele. 

Such a sweet face, Jemma thought. It was tragic that she was orphaned at such a young age, right when she was on the cusp of understanding. She pushed a few loose strands away from her face and saw the blood soaked bandage. Her face instantly went into a frown, and she slowly pulled herself out of the bed, trying not to wake the child.

Eric turned to her when she went to stand next to him, "Eric I—"

"I know," he said with a sigh as he interrupting her, "I understand."

"No," Jemma responded her eyebrows pressed together, "Adele's stiches must have torn she needs a new bandage. What do you know?"

His eyes widened in realization as he answered, "Obviously not what I thought."

She bit her lip, part of her wanted to know, wished there was a possibly it was true and that same fear and love combination started to rise in her. A mix of emotions swirled within her; fear, love, guilt, and hope. All of them grappled for control within her. If he loved her would she be able to completely love him back? Would Jeff forgive her for finding someone so soon after he had been taken from her?

Fear and guilt won.

"I think I should return to New York," Jemma whispered, unable to rouse a louder voice, "Burying your sister is a family matter."

"If that is what you wish." He said stiffening and taking a step back from her.

She couldn't look up at him. She had wanted him to ask her to stay, but she should have known he would not. She knew she couldn't stay and intrude upon family affairs so she decided she needed to leave. Candice was waiting for her and Lucy. Her father should have returned from his trip to a shipping port. She needed to go home to her family and let Eric take care of his.

"Have a safe trip." He said softly before leaving the room.