Unexpected Ice cream and News
I decided that after the week I’d had, it was time for something simple and sweet—literally. So, I took Laura and Larry to their favorite ice cream parlor. The tiny shop on the corner of Fifth was always bustling with families, its pastel walls and the smell of fresh waffle cones a comforting reprieve from the chaos of life.
“Mummy, can I have the triple chocolate with sprinkles?” Laura asked, bouncing on her toes as she peered into the display case.
“You said that last time, and then you wanted mine,” Larry grumbled, crossing his arms.
“I’ll stick to mine this time!” Laura protested, looking at me with wide, pleading eyes.
I smiled, nodding to the server behind the counter. “Triple chocolate with sprinkles for her, and vanilla caramel for him.”
“What about you, Mummy?” Laura asked, tugging on my sleeve.
“I’ll have a coffee crunch,” I said, reaching for my wallet.
The kids happily claimed a booth by the window, their chatter light and cheerful as they dug into their sundaes. Watching them, I felt a pang of gratitude—moments like these reminded me why I fought so hard every day.
And then I heard his voice.
“Well, well, fancy seeing you here.”
I looked up, and there he was—Rowan Vaughn, leaning casually against the counter with that signature smirk of his.
I blinked, momentarily stunned. “Are you everywhere?”
“Not everywhere,” he said, his tone light. “Just where it counts.”
“Handsome Uncle!” Laura exclaimed, her face lighting up as she waved her spoon in the air.
Larry turned, his eyes narrowing slightly. “How do you always know where we are?”
“I have my ways,” Rowan said, giving Larry a conspiratorial wink.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Rowan, do you just randomly walk into places where you think I might be?”
“Not at all,” he said, grabbing a cone from the server and paying for it with a smooth swipe of his card. “But I was in the area, and who could resist ice cream?”
“Convenient,” I said dryly, scooting over as he slid into the booth beside me.
“Very,” he replied, taking a bite of his cone.
Laura beamed, her chocolate-covered face a picture of joy. “Are you gonna stay and eat with us, Handsome Uncle?”
“If your mum doesn’t mind,” Rowan said, raising an eyebrow at me.
I stared at him, incredulous. “You’re already here. What choice do I have?”
“None,” he said, his smirk widening.
Larry leaned forward, eyeing Rowan suspiciously. “You’re really not following us?”
Rowan leaned down slightly, matching Larry’s serious expression. “Scout’s honor, I’m not following you. But if I was, I’d only do it to make sure you’re safe.”
Larry considered this for a moment before nodding. “Fair enough.”
Laura giggled, licking her spoon. “You’re funny, Handsome Uncle.”
“And you,” Rowan said, pointing at her with his cone, “are quite the charmer yourself.”
She blushed, hiding her face in her hands. “Mummy, he’s so nice!”
“Is he?” I said, giving Rowan a side-eye.
“I’m hurt,” Rowan said, placing a hand over his heart dramatically. “I’ve been nothing but delightful today.”
“Debatable,” I muttered, taking a bite of my ice cream.
The kids laughed, their earlier sibling bickering forgotten as they focused on Rowan. He had a way of commanding attention effortlessly, and I hated how easily he fit into moments like these.
“So, what’s the plan for the rest of the day?” Rowan asked, turning to me.
“Going home, reading some stories, and hopefully not running into you again,” I said pointedly.
He chuckled, unbothered by my tone. “Fair enough. But if you need a babysitter, I’m available.”
“We’re good,” I said quickly, before Laura could say anything else.
“But, Mummy, Handsome Uncle would be fun!” Laura piped up, her eyes sparkling.
Larry shrugged. “He’s alright, I guess.”
Rowan laughed, ruffling Larry’s hair. “Thanks, kid. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
I sighed, finishing the last of my ice cream. “Alright, kids, let’s go. Say goodbye to Rowan.”
“Bye, Handsome Uncle!” Laura chirped, giving him a chocolatey smile.
“See you around,” Rowan said, his gaze lingering on me for a moment too long
***
After leaving the ice cream shop, I dropped the kids off at home, making sure Jo was there to watch them. She took one look at my frazzled state and wisely didn’t ask any questions.
I needed air, space to think. But as I drove toward the research facility, something gnawed at me—a strange feeling that I couldn’t shake. It wasn’t until I pulled into the driveway and saw Mrs. Isolde’s car still parked in its usual spot that I realized I hadn’t checked on her today.
“Let me just make sure she’s alright,” I murmured to myself, heading toward the side door that led to her private quarters.
\---
The moment I stepped inside, I knew something was wrong. The air was too still, too quiet. I called out, “Mrs. Isolde?” but there was no answer.
I walked deeper into the house, my footsteps echoing against the polished wood floors. “Mrs. Isolde, are you home?”
And then I saw her. She was lying on the floor near her favorite armchair, her tea cup shattered beside her.
“Mrs. Isolde!” I rushed to her side, my heart pounding. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow. I gently touched her wrist, checking for a pulse. It was weak but present.
“Hang on,” I whispered, pulling my phone from my pocket and dialing emergency services.
\---
By the time the paramedics arrived, I had managed to make her as comfortable as possible, placing a pillow under her head and elevating her feet. I answered their rapid-fire questions with as much detail as I could, trying to keep my voice steady despite the panic clawing at my chest.
“She has a history of fainting spells,” I explained as they loaded her onto the stretcher. “But this is the first time it’s happened in months.”
“We’ll take good care of her,” one of the paramedics assured me before they whisked her away.
\---
At the hospital, I paced the waiting room, my mind racing. I couldn’t lose her—not now, not after everything.
A nurse finally approached me, her expression calm but professional. “Dr. Laurent, Mrs. Isolde is stable. She had a fainting spell due to low blood pressure, but she’s responding well to treatment.”
I exhaled deeply, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. “Can I see her?”
The nurse nodded, leading me to the room.
\---
Mrs. Isolde was lying in bed, her eyes closed, but her breathing was steady. I pulled up a chair beside her, reaching out to gently hold her hand.
“You gave me quite the scare,” I murmured, my voice thick with emotion.
Her eyelids fluttered open, and she gave me a weak smile. “I’m sorry, my dear. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“You need to take better care of yourself,” I said softly. “What happened?”
“I stood up too quickly,” she admitted, her voice faint. “I didn’t eat much today either. Foolish, I know.”
“Very foolish,” I said, trying to keep my tone light despite the lump in my throat.
She chuckled weakly, her hand squeezing mine. “Don’t fret over me, Remi. I’m tougher than I look.”
“I know you are,” I said, my chest tightening. “But that doesn’t mean you get to scare me like this.”
We sat in silence for a moment, her frailty reminding me just how much she meant to me. Mrs. Isolde wasn’t just a patient; she was family.
“Thank you for b
eing here,” she whispered, her eyes closing again.
“Always,” I said softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
And I meant it. Always.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
