Separate

Chapter 15 - Bonded

We were welcomed back into Prime with welcoming arms as each member of the high council shook our hands and thanked us for our bravery. They gave us medals of honor and placed them around our necks as we were escorted to medical. Maxwell stood the proudest, wearing my father's golden pin that read the title "President".

Neither of us felt anything. We felt like wax sculptures being wheeled around a museum for people's enjoyment. After being checked up on for nearly three hours they sent me back to my family sector.

There I found my father's office had been removed and in place of it was a medical bed where my father was resting. I walked up to him and peered into his eyes. He locked eyes with mine and I thought I was about to get another lecture when his eyes suddenly filled with guilt and remorse.

"You were right," He sputtered, coughing as he tried to speak in a raspy voice. "I should've listened."

He reached up to his forehead and brushed back his gray hair to wipe a generous amount of sweat off. He was burning up. He continued to repeat the same thing repeatedly until he finally stopped and looked up at the ceiling in a trance.

"He had a stroke," a voice called out. I turned immediately to see a doctor had entered the room and was approaching the bed. "He was asking for you one day and then he fell out of his chair. It's been a little over a month now so he should be back up on his feet in another week or so."

"How long have I been gone?" I asked, realizing I had no idea what the date was anymore. The woman looked up at me and glanced at her own watch.

"It's been nearly two months since they took you," She remarked. "It's so great to finally have you back. Thompson's been so eager to see you again."

Suddenly reality came back to me and I remembered why I was there. Even though my father was removed from office, nothing had really changed for me. I was still the girl tied to the future president and nothing more.

"Where is he?" I asked reluctantly. I didn't really want to see him, but I knew I would have to face him eventually anyways.

"He should be on his way to see you right now." She cheered, guiding me outside into the hallway. There I saw him approaching me alongside his father.

"Ashley, it is so great to see you again!" President Maxwell remarked, giving me a big hug. Thompson stood beside him and gave a weak wave in my direction. "I see we have company."

Maxwell glanced at the doctor who was still standing there, and she immediately rushed back into the room where my father was and closed the door behind her.

"It's been tough without you. Thompson hasn't had the moral support that he's been used to. It's hard work training to become the president of the station and he could really use some time to let off some steam if you catch my meaning." He chuckled, giving his son a little push towards me.

"Not now father. She just got back. We need to give her some time to get ready first. It's a big commitment for her." Thompson said, glancing between us.

"Well then, I have a little outing we can go on while we wait for Ashley to settle in. There's a bonding ceremony scheduled in fifteen minutes that I have to attend to. Care to join us?" Maxwell continued, motioning with his head for me to follow. I had no choice but to oblige and followed them off to the ceremony.

We made our way up to the Grand Auditorium and took our seats at the front of the viewing area. The front of the room had been completely repaired and the stained-glass window was replaced with a ten-foot-tall statue of President Maxwell himself.