Love eternal (book 5)

Chapter 13: reunion

   I catch up to Atem only to see his face has become completely etched with desperation and longing. The expression on his face staggers me and he runs past me into the entrance of the chamber where the voice of my family are emanating from. I follow after him quickly and almost crash into him as he comes to a sudden halt. His eyes are wide and brimmed with tears as he looks at Yugi and our children. They have yet to see us as they call down several different hallways looking for me. Atem's hands are trembling as he watches them. I glance over at him curiously for a moment before I step out into the chamber leaving him to linger in the doorway.
   "Where is he?" Atemu asks with a note of irritation and anxiety in his voice.
   "I don't know, but it is really important that you two don't stray far from me." Yugi says seriously. "If you get lost in here the chance that I find you again would be slim to none." I remain silent as I listen to my family continue to talk. I never expected for any of them to ever be inside of the puzzle. Yugi and I had spent several instances in this object but I never had any intention of bringing my children here.
   "Father lived here?" Heba mutters in disbelief. "No wonder he didn't want to keep the puzzle. I wouldn't want to keep it either." She shudders.
   "In hindsight," I say finally making everyone jump and turn around in surprise. I smile at their stunned expressions. "I probably should have kept it."
   "You're here!" Atemu exclaims as he runs up to me. Heba quickly follows and wraps her arms around my neck and I wrap my arms around her waist. "We thought you were gone."
   "I'm not going anywhere son." I say as I ruffle his hair affectionately. Yugi smiles at me as he continues to keep his distance. His eyes flit around the room, as if he is looking for something, or I suppose to be more accurate someone. I smile at him sadly. He already knows that he's here he just can't see him yet.
   "I'm glad that you're alright." Atemu says softly, his head bowed as he wipes away his tears of relief. I smile at him affectionately as I wrap an arm around him and pull him close. He shudders against me as he fights back his tears. Heba stiffens in my arms.
   "What's the matter?"
   "Who is that father?" She murmurs anxiously, a rare sound coming from my naturally brave daughter. She begins to trembling as I release my children and turn around to meet the eyes of my other half. His eyes are wide but they are firmly trained on one person, Yugi.
   "No one to fear." I answer softly.
   "But isn't he the one who was making you suffer so much?" Atemu protests as he grabs Heba and pushes her behind him.
   "That isn't what's important here." I say sternly. They both look at me in surprise as I turn back to face them. "I want you two to see something and stay there until I come to get you." I place a hand on each of their heads.
   "Fa-" Heba's words are cut off as they both vanish from sight. Yugi looks at me with a stunned expression. I smile and shake my head.
   "They are only in my soul room, they are perfectly safe."
   "Yugi." Atem says softly as he takes a hesitant step forward. Yugi's eyes flick away from me and look at Atem. His face goes pale and his eyes fill with tears. "Yugi." He murmurs with a wavering voice.
   "You really are here." Yugi struggles to keep his voice from wavering. "How are you here?"
   "It's a very complicated circumstance." I admit with a shrug as I step out of their way. Yugi looks over at me confusedly for a moment but his expression quickly mutates into surprise as Atem collides into him. His tan arms wrapping around him like rope, holding him as close as physically possible. Tears stream down his cheeks as he holds Yugi in his arms.
   "You've grown." He sniffles. "You are so much taller than the last time I have seen you." Yugi begins to weep as he digs his fingers into Atem's clothing pulling him closer and threading his fingers through his hair. Atem holds him close as they both slowly begin to sink to their knees. Yugi nuzzles his face deeper into Atem's chest as he continues to weep. I smile remorsefully as I watch their interaction. This is the first time in eighteen years that I, in my entirety, have been with Yugi. "I've missed you so much."
   "I'm so sorry." Yugi weeps. "If I had known-"
   "Shh." Atem whispers softly as he looks over at me. "I don't blame you for this. I don't blame anyone for it." I smile softly in acknowledgment before averting my gaze. "This isn't your fault."
   "How long have you been in here?" Yugi sniffles. Atem hesitates to answer and Yugi glances up at him curiously. Atem sighs and looks to me for aid. I take a strengthening breath before walking over to the pair. "How long?" Yugi asks sternly this time. I kneel down besides them and place a comforting hand on Yugi's shoulder. He glances over at me with a desperate expression. He truly wants the truth. I sigh softly before taking a seat on the cool stone floor.
   "He has been here for eighteen years now aibou." I say gently.
   "Ever since I came back from Egypt." He murmurs in horror. "So it is my fault."
   "No." I say sternly.
   "Something went wrong with the magic." Atem pipes in. "Instead of returning you home and sending my soul back to you it split my soul in half. " He wipes the tears that continue to streak down Yugi's cheeks like raindrops. "The man that you loved in Egypt remained in the puzzle while the man you loved when you uncovered the puzzle remained with you." He smiles faintly as he gently places his forehead on Yugi's. "So it isn't your fault."
   "But it is my fault for not realizing that you were in here." He whispers.
   "Yugi." I sigh.
   "It is." He repeats. "I should have known."
   "Gods above, how I've missed you." Atem murmurs as he pulls Yugi close for a kiss. Something inside of my chest twinges at the sight of it but I remain silent. They pull apart and both of their eyes are hooded. "All I could think about was you and what I would give to be able to be with you again."
   "Ate-" Atem covers his mouth with his hand. His expression is stern but loving as he gazes into Yugi's eyes.
   "None of this was your fault. This whole circumstance was completely out of your control, so please don't blame yourself for something that was purely an accident."
   "He's right Yugi." I add. "It kills both of us to see you blame yourself for this." Fresh tears well up in his eyes as he wraps his arms around both of our necks and begins to weep.
   "I love you both so much."