Sophia’s POV
The three days of waiting had been torturous. Each passing hour had only deepened my worry and anxiety. I had called secretary Candace, repeatedly, hoping for any news about Alexander, but the repeated responses of “no news yet” had done little to ease my concern.
Daniel and Daisy had sensed the heaviness in the air and had been keeping me company in the living room. Daisy, with her innocent eyes and heart full of love for her father, was the first to voice her concern. “Mom, where’s Daddy? Why hasn’t he come back yet?”
I tried to put on a brave face, forcing a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, sweetie,” I said, my voice soft and comforting. “Daddy will be back soon. Maybe he’s just been delayed by something. He’ll be home before you know it.”
Daniel, ever the protector and the older sibling, chimed in with his own attempt at reassurance. “Yeah, Daisy, Mom’s right. Dad’s probably on his way back now. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Daisy seemed to take comfort in her brother’s words, but I could see the doubt in her eyes. She was a perceptive child and often picked up on the unspoken fears of those around her. I wished I could ease her concerns completely, but the uncertainty of Alexander’s whereabouts weighed heavily on me.
As we waited, the hours seemed to stretch into eternity. I found myself pacing the living room, unable to sit still, my thoughts consumed by worry. I had been through countless moments of uncertainty and danger with Alexander, but this time felt different, and my fears were more profound.
Then, on the morning of the fourth day, as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, the front door swung open, and there he was-Alexander, covered in injuries, his imposing figure barely able to stand. My heart leaped in my chest, a mixture of relief, joy, and concern flooding over me all at once.
Without a second thought, I rushed forward to meet him. But as soon as he entered the living room, he slumped onto me, utterly exhausted. I tried to support his weight, but he was too heavy for me, and we both tumbled onto the sofa, a tangle of limbs and emotions.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I held him close, his battered and bruised form a stark contrast to the strong and confident man I knew. After four days of anxiety and worry, the overwhelming relief of his return was too much to contain.
Alexander’s arms wrapped around me tightly, and I could feel the warmth of his embrace, the steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. “I’m so sorry, Sophia,” he murmured, his voice full of tenderness and regret. “I didn’t mean to make you worry like this.”
I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer, and they streamed down my cheeks as I clung to him. “I was so scared, Alexander,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “I thought something terrible had happened to you.”
He kissed the top of my head gently, his lips brushing against my hair. “I promise, Sophia, I’ll explain everything. But right now, all I want is to be with you.”
Our embrace tightened, and for a moment, the world outside disappeared. It was just the two of us, holding onto each other as if our lives depended on it. The fear and anxiety of the past days seemed to melt away, replaced by the overwhelming relief of his return.
He began to explain the reasons for his prolonged absence, the intense battle between the Shadow City soldiers and the Rogues. He mentioned their concern that the traces of the battle might be discovered by humans, potentially exposing their hidden world to unwanted attention. It was for this reason that they had taken the time to cover their tracks before returning home.
I listened intently, trying to absorb the details of his explanation, my tears slowly subsiding as I came to understand the necessity of their actions. The danger they faced, the risks they took to protect our world from being exposed to the humans, it was all part of the life we had chosen to live.
And then, as if on cue, our children rushed out of their rooms, their faces filled with excitement and relief. Daisy exclaimed, “Daddy’s back!” Her voice was full of joy, and her words were followed by a chorus of cheers and shouts.
Daniel, the protective older brother, added with a hint of playful scolding, “You made Mom cry, Dad. You went a bit too far this time.”
Alexander looked flustered but couldn’t hide the amusement in his eyes. “I didn’t mean to make your mom cry, I promise.”
Daniel, with a grin that mirrored his father’s, added, “Well, you better make it up to her, Dad. She deserves something special.”
I couldn’t help but laugh through my tears, my heart overflowing with love for my family. Alexander opened his arms wide and called our children over. They ran to him, and we became a family of four, embracing each other tightly.
In that moment, as we held each other close, all the worry and fear of the past days seemed to fade into the background. We were together, safe, and filled with a profound sense of happiness and gratitude. It was a reminder that, no matter the challenges we faced, as long as we had each other, we could weather any storm that came our way.