Igniting Sparks

Chapter 19.

Edited by KitWulf           

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Trust. A word that small with such big consequences. Azura had told him she trusted him, made him believe her, and she did for a big part. She had indulged Lucas on most of the story about the phoenix, telling him in detail what had happened except for one thing. She couldn't mention it, not yet. Feeling guilty about it, she tried not to let it shine through but she was just not ready yet, and the warning from doctor Jensen still lingered in the back of her head. There was no denying Lucas suspected something but he had not inquired about it and she was happy he hadn't. Still, she told him she trusted him, and yet her actions proved otherwise.

There had not been much time for them to talk about it though, as a day later Lucas suddenly left after the mayor had given him a call. It wasn't just him, Jeff, Nathan, Oliver and another young man named Johnathan had left. A hike as he called it. Azura didn't believe him as he would not be asked by the mayor to go on a hike with a group of men. There was something else behind it that he did not want to tell her and Azura had an idea of what that could be. The very reason she had not revealed to him what she was.

The thin woman forced herself to look up again, keeping her thoughts at bay as much as possible. No use in reminiscing about everything but better to stay in the present. With not much else to do, she spend most of her time in the climbing hall, helping out now that the men were gone or just hanging out with Sheila and Rose. As she looked over at Sheila she noticed the big woman seemed tired. Azura flashed her an acknowledging smile all the while Rose was still rambling on about whatever it was that had caught her interest.

"Don't you agree, Azu?!" Rose prodded in her shoulder trying to get her attention.

"Sorry... I did not follow that last part."

Rose rolled her eyes before repeating what she said. "I said, I had expected Sheila to be pregnant by now," The small woman turned to Sheila as she continued. "I mean, you guys have be-"

Azura shoved her elbow into Rose's ribs in a not so gentle manner to shut her up as she noticed Sheila paling before them. A sadness falling over her face as she took a deep breath to steady herself.

"What the?! What was that for?!" Rose angry exclaimed as she rubbed the spot where Azura had nudged her.

"For being an insensitive idiot."

"I was not..." As Rose turned to face Sheila she fell silent. Sheila gave them both a meek smile and shook her head.

"It's alright. And no, I'm not pregnant. Yet. We're trying, but it's hard. It's starting to take a toll on us both. We both got the greenlight healthwise, so that's not the issue. It's just that this whole baby-making thing, it's becoming forced. Jeff is getting frustrated; the fun is gone. Actually, I'm rather glad the guys went out on that trip together. Gives me some time to clear my head and make a choice about what to do. I'm thinking of putting this whole ordeal on hold for now. A baby will come when it's time. I would never forgive myself if I ruined our relationship over a child."

Rose placed her hand on top of Sheila's in understanding and the two women shared a short look together. Azura watched the two green-eyes ladies for a bit before her attention got distracted by a couple of shirtless men walking by ready to go climb. It had been a lot quieter now in the hall since the winter sports season had fallen to an end. There were fewer tourists around and now mostly the locals hung out in the hall. Some of those locals enjoyed that fact as they felt more at home to just climb shirtless.

"Seeing something you like?" Rose winked at her.

"Wha? No!" Azura stammered as both women just laughed at her. "No, I just... I'm not ready for that! Any of that." She waved at the men.