Ranger's Apprentice - The Afterwards

Ch. 27

Horace awoke nearly a full day later. He hadn't moved from the same position he had been in when he had fallen into the bed the day before.
He lifted his head groggily and blinked several times.
"Good morning," a woman's voice crooned. Horace closed his eyes as he felt Cassandra's familiar fingers running through his hair.
"How long have I...been asleep?" He asked.
"About a day. I couldn't wake you, you needed the rest." She answered. Horace shot straight up.
"Maddie! Has she- have they..." He let the question hang in the air. Cassandra dropped her head and Horace felt his heart break.
"They're...still missing." She said quietly. Horace saw the tears falling silently from his wife's face. He pulled her over to him and she buried her face in his chest.
"I told you, she'll come back to us. She always does." He promised.
"Horace...I miss her." She cried. He kissed her hair.
"I miss her too." He said, his own tears coming to his eyes. "It's my fault she ran away. I sent Will out to watch her. She must've found out and ran away. Because of me."
Cassandra pulled back and looked at Horace. Her face was strongly set.
"Horace, it doesn't matter why she ran away." She said.
"But I-"
"All that matters is that we get her back."
Horace looked at Cassandra's determined eyes, and he was reassured.
"You're right, of course." He admitted.
"I'm always right," she joked easily.
Horace smiled and rolled his eyes before he stood up and grabbed a change of clothes. He headed out the door, but Cassandra's voice stopped him.
"Where are you going?" She asked. Horace turned to look at her before answering.
"I'm going to bring our daughter home."