The Northern Lights

Chapter 16. Conversations.

France, 2003

The doctor writes the name down on his board before stepping out into the hallway as Edith replaces him. A ghostly silence quakes the room. Her wrinkled cheeks and smile lines widen as her eyes meet the chubby cheeks of Arlo. But her smile does not last long. Azra gives her an eerie stare, whispers to Eden, "What is she doing here?"

Eden pretends not to hear her, directs his voice to his mother instead, "Mama...Meet Arlo," the two women remain silent. Azra's heart thumps, a fire kindles in her soul, an aggression she remembers feeling back at home, Eden can almost inhale the smoke of her fury. Edith's heart drops through her soul, Azra's devilish glare release adrenaline into her veins.

Eden's cheeks begin to turn bright pink, "Look, you two have some unfinished business, talk it out, Arlo and I are going to explore," he delicately takes Arlo from Azra's chest, kisses his cheek, "isn't that right buddy?" he whispers to the baby, before leaving the room. He makes sure to leave the door open. With the baby in his arms, the hallways seem less claustrophobic, the lights shine brighter. bystanders smile at the sight of the precious newborn, and Eden wonders if the world was always been this colourful.

He walks up and down the hallway, softly murmuring little facts to his son, who's ears seem to love the sound of Eden's voice, "There's this big rock in the sky called the moon, you'd love it. Hard to believe, but people actually went up there! At night, there are these little diamonds that float in the sky, people haven't been there just yet." Eden rocks Arlo back and forth, walks past a familiar door, "Your mother and I once climbed this massive mountain, bigger than anything you've ever seen," the baby yawns its first yawn, Eden's mouth mimics his before smiling, "at the top, we could see everything, the whole universe. And there were these lights that danced in the sky. When you're older, we'll all go to see them again. I promise!" Eden seals the promise with a kiss on Arlo's delicate forehead.

Inside the hospital room, where Arlo was just born, Edith breaks the silence, "Azra I-"

"You broke his heart."

"I know."

"You don't." Azra clenches her fists tightly, unable to maintain eye contact with her mother-in-law, "How could you forbid him from visiting his dying Grandmother?"

Edith tells the truth, "That wasn't me."

Azra reminisces about all the nights she heard Eden weeping into his pillow, the nights where he couldn't sleep, where he just stared at the ceiling in silence, when his voice wore a cloak of invisibility and his mind could not ponder anything but death and a cigarette, "why are you back?"

"Eden visited me," she pauses, connecting the imaginary dots in her mind, "I think he wants Arlo to deserve the same grandparent Eden had and I'm willing to be that now, if you let me. I'm truly sorry for all the pain we caused you."

Azra remembers the first conversation she had with Eden's Grand-mère, her innocent eyes and unforgettable smile. She wonders if she was as forgiving as her Grandson, though she had a strong feeling she was, "Okay." She sighs deeply as she unclenchs her fists, "I forgive you, but in return we need help in raising him." Like Eden, Azra knows almost nothing about being a parent, she knew that for the sake of Arlo she had no choice.

"Of course, the blood that runs through his veins is the same as mine. Thank you, Azra. I will be there for him. Every step." Edith wonders if that was too dramatic of a thing to say.

"What about Ivre?"

"I will try my best to persuade him."

Eden's stories about his father still haunt her, "does he still hurt you?"

Edith swallows the pain, "no."

"Good." Azra smiles, wondering if her childhood friend is still out there. She waves for Edith to come closer, tears begin to run from Azra's tough, powerful eyes. The two embrace each other passionately, with chips in their hearts and souls, regret in their consciousness. Eden watches silently from the hallway, wants Arlo to see it too. You did this. Not me.