By the end of August, the apricots in the Franke property are properly ripe and ready for harvest. So, that Wednesday, after handling the shipment and stocks of The Heartsease Effect, Emerynne and Matthias arm themselves with baskets and short ladders, and set out apricot picking.

"These smell amazing," Emerynne coos in delight, bringing one to her nose and inhaling deeply. "What will you do with them? There are so many..."

Keep some, signs Matthias. A family brewery I know said they wanted some for seasonal wine. Will confirm that, otherwise sell at farmer's market on Saturday.

Once five wicker baskets are filled with the sunset-orange fruits, the pair head inside to freshen up and prepare lunch. Apricots make it into dessert as nice-cream serves. And the remaining daylight hours are used in painting and designing products for The Heartsease Effect. After a simple dinner of vegan pizza, eaten on the couch alongside a French crime-drama film, Emerynne and Matthias decide to turn in. However, they end up talking in bed.

As the joking quietens and the playfulness calms, their touches become as tender as their moods. His fingertip runs over the asterisk of scar tissue near her wingbone. Emerynne sighs as her eyelids fall, relishing his warm gentleness.

But then, his hand is gone. Her eyes open, questioningly looking at him. He asks: what happened there?

"Johann happened," she confesses shortly.

Matthias reaches out to her again, his fingers following the scar of a narrow nick on her right bicep, obscured by a black snake tattoo. And here? he signs.

"A thorn caught me when I was stealing lemons from a neighbor's tree."

Releasing a soft chuckle, he inches closer and leans down to her. Emerynne inclines her head to meet his kiss. When they pull apart, she ventures, "can I ask about your scars?" His internal struggle against reluctance manifests in his sharp breath and the worry that lines his forehead. "You can say no to me," she quickly tacks on, "you should tell me when I cross a line."

You didn't cross a line, he simply signs, and nothing else after that. So, she assumes this the end of it and doesn't press him anymore, instead throwing her leg over his hip and snuggling into him.

"Goodnight, love," she murmurs, feeling his lips brush her crown.

These nights, sleep always takes her easier than ever.

❧

These days, life seems fuller, somehow. Happiness feels permanent, facing adversity feels doable.

There are people in Emerynne's life that make her warm, that fill her with all the love she can give. She chases more than just old dreams.

And, of course, there is Matthias Franke. The Summer Prince of her world, all warm and bright and joyous. Every night with him is a safe and comforting chrysalis, every day is a lovely day.

Emerynne studies him, lying beside her, reading through a file on Elias from the hospital. She touches her knuckles to his cheekbone, causing him to turn to her, his fair, fair blues searching her face. Setting the file on his bedstand, Matthias twirls a lock of her hair between his thumb and forefinger.

A change in him, so subtle and fragile that it makes Emerynne stifle her breaths. His smile fades and the sparkle in his gaze dims. Propping herself on her elbow, she places her hand on his chest, atop his heart, and questions, "what are you thinking about?"

Tucking her hair behind her ear, Matthias sits up, leaning back against the headboard. An uneasiness grows in Emerynne's chest. She also shifts upright, facing him. He inhales deeply, as though preparing himself for something profound. In hesitant movements, he signs: I processed the paperwork to take Elias off life support. They will do it tomorrow.

"Oh..." is all Emerynne can get out in that moment.

I don't want to go alone.

She doesn't need to think before the words tumble from her. "I'll go with you. I'll get the day off."

Pulling him into her embrace, she holds fast. He buries his face in the crook of her neck, his arms tightening around her. While Emerynne doesn't know what to say and if there is any reassurance at all for Matthias, she believes the best she can do is stand by him, steady and strong, as he goes through this. And that is what she does – holding him close through the night, through his fitful sleep.

Come morning, she urges a lost, listless Matthias to eat the breakfast she made, and then takes him to Salzburg. Their journey passes in silence; he stares sightlessly out of the window, and Emerynne quietly drives on.

At the hospital, Matthias hands in the required documents, makes a number of signatures. Thereon, he and Emerynne are led to Elias's chamber to wait. Amelie and Sonja arrive then, rushing over to Matthias's side. Amelie hugs him, kissing his temple.

A few minutes later, Nevena enters the room, the lead doctor, the administrative head of the hospital, and a priest trailing behind her. The doctor, a tired-looking man in his mid-forties, faces Matthias and asks, "shall we proceed?"

Matthias nods, his fingers squeezing Emerynne's hand. She squeezes back, inching closer to his side. One by one, the doctor gives out orders while making his final notes in Elias's file, and one by one, Nevena unhooks the machines from the comatose youth. The priest stands on the left of the bed, reading from his Bible. Gradually, the beeping flatlines, and any vestige of life that Elias Franke may have had is gone.

Everything happens so fast; everything is so transient.

Inside the Volkswagen in the parking lot, Emerynne keeps one of Matthias's hands in hers, her thumb caressing his knuckles. She mentally sifts through all the things she can say, but yet again, nothing feels right. Amelie and Sonja pause at the window on his side. Sonja reaches in, patting his cheek. Her eyes catch Emerynne's as she says, "we'll see you at home, okay? Drive safe."

Emerynne smiles at the two women. Once they leave, Matthias frees his hand from hers and asks: is it bad that I feel relieved? Am I bad brother?

"No!" Emerynne's tone sounds sterner than she intends. Quieter, gentler, she continues, "no... you're not a bad brother. If anything, you have been an amazing brother. And it is not bad to feel relief..." Scooting nearer to him, she envelops his face in her hands, making him meet her gaze. "I think somewhere deep down, you knew Elias wasn't waking up, and now you've finally made your peace with that."

Matthias nods slowly, his arms snaking around her waist. Emerynne lets her own arms loop over his shoulders as he tugs her closer. One of her hands rubs his back, while the other cards through his silky, silvered mane. "Sometimes," she whispers to him, "the best thing you can do for someone you love is let them go."