Mein Liebling

Untitled Part 24

Edward stays close, keeping an arm around you or holding your hand as though his very survival depended on having some sort of physical contact with you.

He and Zack bring you to communications to catch you up on everything that had happened in your absence, but when you walk through the door, you're immediately greeted with a bear hug from Dempesy and Nikolai at the same time. Takeo bows lightly, giving you your space as you pry yourself from the other's grips.

"You scared the shit out of us, doll- oh, wait... um." He glances to Edward who moves forward to stand at your side, and shifts back with slight discomfort. "Sorry, that's a habit that'll take time to break."

Nikolai beams at the sight of Edward's arm draping around your shoulders. "I am glad to see this side of Richtofen, especially after last few days."

Zack moves past to flip on the big screen, pulling up a few images of the surrounding areas over the last few days. "Gentlemen, if we could stick to the details here, we might be able to figure some things out."

"Why such hurry?" Nikolai shrugs, smiling at you again. "I say we let Richtofen and woman rest, they have much to talk about."

You quirk a brow at Edward, but he avoids your eyes, keeping them fixed on the screen. "Und vhat about zhe mission ve vere meant to go on today?"

"We have that covered with another team," Zack answers.

"Listen," You interrupt, "As much as I'd love to just relax and catch up with everyone, there's still a lot left to do. Even though it was only a few minutes for me, Samantha said we were running out of time; that Monty would be back, and that he would be really mad to find me alive."

"I thought Monty was helping us?" Dempsey crosses his arms, leaning back against one of the tables. "He's a selfish prick, but at least he wants these freakbags gone."

You shake your head, "He wants me dead, he's killed me before because he thought I would know how to trap everything back in the Aether."

Edward stiffens beside you. "Zhe figure from your dreams?"

Nodding softly, you delve into what little detail you had been given. "Samantha said I tried sending him back, that he needed the portal open to continue his war and stay out here, so he took care of me; got me out of the way."

"If you were a part of one of our dimensions, and Monty killed you," Dempsey scratches his head before re-crossing his arms, "Then how did you end up here? Where we aren't even supposed to exist?"

"Another version of Edward reopened the Aether to try and bring me back," You feel Edward's arm squeeze you closer, "Unfortunately it scared Monty into looking for my soul too, if he destroyed it then I wouldn't ever exist anywhere again. Which is what he tried to do in the clearing... But Samantha found it first and sent me somewhere new: here. Just like she pulled me away from Monty this time, that's why she needed my blood." You glance down at your palm, tracing the faded pink line. "She needed to bring all of you here to help send Monty back."

"Why your blood?" Nikolai questions.

Shrugging, you suddenly feel very aware of just how much had to align to bring Edward here, and how fate continuously brought the two of you together. If soulmates are something that actually exists ... then you're feeling more and more inclined to believe that he's yours. "Apparently, one thing Monty said was true: Edward's soul is tied to mine in some way, so my blood was the only link that could bring you into this dimension."

"So why didn't you two recognize each other then?" Dempsey speaks up, glancing between you. "If you're linked or whatever, if you've known each other before?"

" Ve do not possess every memory of every version of ourshelves , do ve Dempsey?" Edward questions in response. "But to answer your question more fully, I believe Dr. Monty viped zhis from all ozher timelines, und ... removed her entirely, vhile he searched to destroy her soul."

"Wow..." Dempsey releases a deep breath. "That's some heavy shit."

"That's why we need to figure out how to send everything back, and trap Monty back in the Aether before he finds his way back here. Samantha said she could only hold him off for so long." You move forward to sit at one of the computers, but Edward grips your waist, keeping you close to him.

"Nein, liebling , you need rest."

"Richtofen's right," Dempsey agrees, "You should go rest up, we'll do some digging around and by tomorrow we'll fill you in on anything we find."

Nikolai nods, "Take your time, be grateful to be reunited , yes?"

Looking to Zack with pleading eyes, you protest, "But-"

"Doctor's orders." Edward interrupts, a slight smirk to his lips as he pulls you along with him out the door.

Reluctantly, you follow along, finding yourselves back in the apartment in a few moments.

Gaius curls up on his bed and falls asleep immediately, as though he hadn't been able to rest fully in your absence, and desperately required the deep sleep that the comfort of your presence allowed.

Edward guides you to the bed, shrugging off his vest and belt, and kicking off his boots. After kicking off your own shoes, you climb into the bed, suddenly feeling extremely exhausted and overly excited to finally be in your own home. Though the time that had passed for you wasn't the same as for the others, it still felt as though it dragged on for an eternity.

As Edward removes his shirt and slides into bed next to you, wrapping his arms tightly around you as you cuddle up to him, all feels right again. There's still so much work to be done, but for now... the feeling of his lips pressed against yours, one hand cupping your cheek, is all that matters.

"I love you, liebling ." He mutters softly, his eyes glimmering softly in the very limited light of the dark apartment.

"I love you too, so much." You trail one of your hands through his hair, using your nails to lightly rake along his scalp.

Squeezing you flush against himself, he tucks a hair behind your ear, his eyes scanning yours. "I missed you ..."

"I'm here now," You press a light kiss to his lips again, "And I'm not going anywhere."

He squeezes slightly, seeming to need you as close as possible before he can close his eyes, his breathing slowing steadily, lulling you into a comfortable haze as you both drift off.

What you guess to be a few hours later, you find yourself stirring awake.

Edward twitches beside you, his eyes still closed, but his brows furrowed as he mutters in his sleep. You hear your name softly escape his lips as his breathing picks up, his arm twitching again and eyes scrunching slightly.

Gingerly, you lean over him, stroking his face and trying to wake him up as gently as possible. "Edward, hey, it's ok."

He jolts awake, glancing around in the darkness before his eyes adjust and find you. You run a hand through his hair as he settles back into the pillow, his hands finding and cupping your face. "Is it really you, liebling?"

"I'm here," You press a kiss to his lips and rest your head beside his. "You were having a bad dream."

"Ja," He nods, pulling you close as he turns to face you, his voice cracking slightly as he continues, "I vas... vorried zhat I vould vake und find you gone again... zhat zhis was... all... just a dream... zhat you vere shtill gone und... und I vould be vizhout you all over again..." He trails off, closing his eyes and taking a steady breath.

"I'm right here." You assure him, pressing another kiss to his lips, lingering briefly before pulling back to meet his eyes, the small bit of water brimming there reflecting in the darkness.

He pulls you back in for a deeper kiss, his lips moving slowly at first, parting a few times only to mutter his adoration for you before continuing, growing steadily hungrier.

"I missed you so much, my love." "Meine liebste ." "Never leave me again." "I need you here, vizh me." "I love you."