Gabriella lay with sad eyes fixed on the setting sun. Her breath was as calm as the ocean. No more rumbling choking the throat. The pressure that was pressing against her chest, had dissipated with the cry.
“Are you sure our Little Prince will return soon?” she murmured while continuing to hear her husband’s heartbeat.
“Yes, of course. We don’t really let him go. He’ll be back for sure,” Max said, stroking Gabriella’s hair.
“What if the returnee is a different soul? We can’t apologize to the wrong prince, Max,” the woman said before furrowing her brows and taking a deep breath.
Sensing the change in his wife’s lung rhythm, Max raised an eyebrow. “Would you like to perform a ritual so that our Little Prince doesn’t get lost when he returns?”
Slowly, Gabriella lifted her head until her eyes met the husband’s. “What ritual?”
Cautiously, Max helped the woman up from his body. After Gabriella managed to sit down, he raised his index finger briefly. “Wait a moment.”
Wasting no time, the man entered the cabin, then came out with a piece of paper and a marker.
“What would you do?” Gabriella asked with furrowed brows, not understanding.
“Writing an invitation for the Little Prince,” Max said, opening the marker cap. After several times scribbling ink on the paper, he straightened himself again. “What are the characteristics of our Little Prince?”
The woman’s eyes suddenly widened. “What do you mean?” she asked in a low voice.
“He’s already shared blood with you. You must recognize him in your heart and mind. So tell me … what does he look like in your imagination?”
Gabriella’s lips instantly turned into a sad curve. After taking a deep breath, with a twitching chin, she glanced up at the blue sky.
“He has round eyes, a small, pointed nose, and tiny red lips. His little hands will grow to be sturdy, just like yours, while those cute-looking legs … will become strong legs.”
“What about his hair?” Max asked without looking up. He was busy moving the tip of the marker.
“His hair is still thin and silky. But later, he will have thick straight hair, just like you,” Gabriella replied, squinting her eyes upwards, holding back the tears that were about to fall.
“The skin? Will it be as clean as your skin?”
Without hesitation, the woman shook her head. “Because he spends a lot of time on the beach, his skin will be a little dark, just like yours now.”
A small laugh escaped from the man’s mouth. “Are you imagining a copy of me?”
With a crooked smile, Gabriella nodded. “Yes. I told you, he’ll be just like you. But, he will be much stronger and tougher, because we have taught him how to conquer the world.”
“You’re not making fun of me, are you?” Max joked as he returned to show his face, so Gabriella could see her reflection in the man’s teary eyes.
“No. I’m just telling the truth. Our Little Prince has learned a lot from his parents’ mistakes and weaknesses.”
Spreading a smile, the man kissed Gabriella’s lips. “He’s going to be a very happy kid,” Max whispered as if to say a prayer.
After a blink, he spread his drawing in front of his wife. “Is there anything else you’d like to add?”
Looking at the picture of a baby with various captions beside it, the woman’s tears fell along with an arid laugh. “Is that our Little Prince?” Gabriella sighed as she took a closer look at her husband’s handiwork.
“Yes. He must have recognized himself. Therefore, keep this invitation with you. He will definitely come looking for it later.”
With the hot air starting to press against the throat, Gabriella tried to speak. “Thank you, Max. The Little Prince will definitely be very happy when he meet his father later. You are someone he will be very proud of,” the woman sighed as she stroked her husband’s cheek.
A second later, Max had grabbed Gabriella’s hand and kissed it warmly. With the same expression, he nodded in approval. “And he will also be proud to have a perfect mother like you.”
While staring in silence, the couple nurtured hope. That way, they had a reason to live a more meaningful life.
“Now, do you want to go home? It’s getting dark,” Max said, tilting his head. “You’re not afraid to see the house, are you?”
Pursing the lips, Gabriella shook her head. “No. The memories of us with Little Prince are there too, Max.”
After one nod, the man gave a signal to the captain. A moment later, they began to drive inland, toward a house with two people waiting on the front porch.
***
“Are you tired?” Max asked as they walked on a wooden bridge with a house at the end of it. “Should I carry you?”
In an instant, Gabriella’s attention to the lights along the street was distracted. With a small smile, she replied, “No, Max. I’m not tired at all.”
The man who was holding his wife’s hand suddenly raised an eyebrow. “But you shouldn’t go too far,” he warned.
“It’s okay, Max. I’m tired of lying in the hospital as well as on the boat. After all, this bridge is no more than a hundred meters,” Gabriella said, glancing at her husband.
A second later, the man pulled his wife closer, so he could land a kiss on her forehead.
“Are you aware that your body is very strong?” Max whispered, tilting his head. The woman who had been standing facing him furrowed her brows.
“Why?”
“The doctor said he saluted you. You took many hits, but not a single bone or organ was damaged,” the man replied without thinking.
Realizing the miracle, Gabriella spontaneously took a deep breath. “Perhaps, it was Little Prince who handed over his power to me. He wanted to protect his parents from the bad guy. Isn’t he really great?”
With tears in his eyes, Max nodded quickly. “Yes, he’s really great.”
After a moment of silence, the man grabbed his wife’s hand again and continued walking. “Do you still hold a grudge against that criminal?” he asked slowly.
At such a question, Gabriella’s expression stiffened. “I don’t want to think about it, Max. After all, you said he had run away. I just hope that God will give him what he deserves.”
“Then, what about my father? Do you still hate him?” Max asked, successfully stopping the woman in her track. With slow motion, Gabriella turned back to face him.
“Do you know that your father is sick? That’s what I wanted to tell you before the attack happened.”
For a moment, the man just blinked. Surprise had clouded his gaze. “How did you know that?”
“I got messages from Mia. Your father has severe liver cirrhosis due to excessive alcohol consumption. Based on the latest news, his condition is starting to improve. But, he can’t drink alcohol anymore,” Gabriella explained expressionlessly. She knew that her husband was being squeezed by conflicting feelings.
“How do you feel about your father, Max? Is it possible … you hate him?”
Again, the man fell silent. His lips trembled but he didn’t say a word. His brain didn’t know which one to sort out.
Knowing her husband’s doubts, Gabriella spontaneously pursed her lips. “Sometimes, I really hate Mr. Herbert. Especially, when you told me that he was the one who hired the criminal to attack you.”
After pausing for a moment, the woman gave a small snort. “But, considering his age and deteriorating condition, the anger suddenly turned into pity. The bad karma he had to endure was enormous. He must be in a lot of pain.”
“Does it mean you won’t take your revenge on him?” Max asked, avoiding his wife’s unanswered question.
“Yes. I am afraid of being recorded as a disobedient daughter-in-law. Now, I just want us to live in peace while waiting for the arrival of Little Prince,” Gabriella said with a lighter curve of the lips.
Seeing the joy of his wife began to rise, Max’s heart slowly became spacious. Holding Gabriella’s hand, he continued walking towards their house.
“Roberto is right. You are an angel, Gaby. Your heart is as beautiful as your face,” Max said, successfully inviting his wife to laugh.
“You won’t get anything out of that compliment, Max. I’m unable to serve you tonight.”
“I don’t expect anything, Gaby. Being able to hold your hand and hear your laugh is enough to make my heart calm,” the man said while swinging the hand in his grip.
Hearing Max’s light voice, Gabriella turned her head and curled her lips higher. “I can’t wait for Little Prince to come. He will perfect our lives, Max.”
“Me too,” the man said before letting out a small chuckle.
Unbeknownst to Max and Gabriella, someone was standing at the end of the bridge. Losing patience of waiting for the host’s slow movements, the person stepped forward. The couple would be surprised to see the uninvited presence.