As I stir the pasta in the pan, I glare at that teddy sitting on the couch..
How dare he come in my room while I was still sleeping and not just that he left a non living version of himself, plus cleaned my room, and stuffed my fridge with a lot of fruit juices and other snacks.
And yeah, my phone was also put to charging!

Isn't he a prince charming!?

I sighed and served myself a plate. I came out and sat on the couch, glaring at the TV.

The t-shirt that this teddy bear was wearing was gifted by David to Eric, and mind it Eric was pretty proud of wearing it..

'Don't talk to me! I bite!'

I feed myself properly and look at the bear again. He looks inviting. And he had a smile, and somehow caused me to smile.

Keeping all thoughts aside, I used it as a pillow and it really helped.

Smiling to myself, I knew this is what I will do. I will sleep, eat, read and figure my life out.

*

FOUR DAYS LATER..

The doorbell interupted my thoughts. Today was a bright day, and so I dressed up myself properly and preparing to go for a walk.

May be some online delivery because for the last few days, I have never heard from anyone. Even though my phone was alive and kicking, I didn't get anything.

And somehow I appreciated it.

I opened the door to see him leaning on the stairwell. Him being David.

I smiled up at him, "David!"

He was already grinning, "What's up little one!? Out of your hybernation?"

I chuckled and nodded, "Come in.."

He strolled in behind me. David was never the one with whom one can feel uncomfortable. He knows how to mix his vibes appropriately with others.

"I expected broken furniture, bottles of vine, and you hung over stumbling in the doorway!"

I rolled my eyes, "I don't do that David. Now tell me what would you like to drink?"

"Uhm...what about coffee!?"

"Okay! I'll be out in a minute. Feel home."

I went in the kitchen to prepare two mugs of coffee and came out only to find David poking his finger on the teddy bear.

"David..!", I passed him his mug.

"I know about him.", He pointed at the stuff toy, "He looks cute!"

I chuckled, "He is. But he is scary also."

He sipped from the mug, "So tell me what are you upto these days?"

I shake my head, "Nothing important. Just chilling.."

"Did ya...!", He abruptly stopped, "Uhm...I just came here to catch up with you..."

"Uh..okay!", I smiled, "Where's Venus?"

"She was insisting on coming here but I said it is sibling time and she ain't my sibling!", He scoffed and I laughed.

"So Erica!? You want to visit our father's place someday? I have a lot to show you..."

I hesitated. I never thought I will get to visit my father's place.

"Uhm David? Don't you think...!"

He shook his head before I could complete, "I don't think anything Erica! That place is lying lifelessly for years. When I moved out of mansion, I decided to live there, but that place was so lonely, I just didn't want to stay there anymore and thus, bought a penthouse. Now when I have people to call my family, I am not letting that place suffer anymore. So, will you?"

I nodded already feeling overwhelmed.

"I have so much to tell you!", He said excited.

"David how are you so mature about everything? Did the fact that your parents were not in love and your father was with another woman doesn't bother you at all?"

He smiled briefly, "Not everyone gets normal Erica. I am way better than anyone in this world. You see, dad and mom never fought with each other. They were not in love, but they were best of friends. And most importantly they loved me!! A child who was with a person they don't love. That's better than people who turn bitter in life. I am just grateful Erica....but I have promised myself that I will make sure my child is born out of love, and gets all from both of us."

I couldn't help adoring this man. He is the most positive person I have met, and now when I know he is my brother, I feel I have finally got something out of life.

"The thought that I don't have a family killed me always David!", I sadly looked at him, "Though for years I hoped my father would walk in someday and ask me to be a member of his family."

"Dad would have done that the moment you were born Erica. Our father was anything but irresponsible. And the fact that you were Embrey's child and a daughter, would have caused him to love you more. But we cannot cry about the things that didn't happen. Instead we should be happy about what happened. We both have each other now. And we have found for ourselves the ones we love with life. Nothing else matters!"

"Yeah... nothing else matters...", I smiled acknowledging what he said.

Our coffee was finished, "Were you going somewhere?"

I nodded, "I was hoping to take a walk outside."

"C'mon then...let's go! I will take you to the diner that dad liked alot!"

And that made me the happiest one today.

*

"Eat this!", He took another spoon filled of Mexican steak and forwarded it to my mouth.

"Wow! This is so good!", I said swallowing it.

"I don't remember coming here with Dad, but whenever I was upset James and Jessica brought me here."

I nodded, "i also never tried Mexican food."

David ended up ordering everything they had and now we were tasting out of everything, and feeding ourselves.

"Uh...Erica!? Did you read the documents I gave you when you were leaving Nonna's place?", He asked out of the blue.

And that's when I was reminded of that file. I was so overwhelmed that day, that I kept it somewhere and forgot I have to read it.

I smiled sheepishly, "I didn't."

He chuckled, "Go and read them today..."

Just then his phone started ringing and he rolled his eyes at the screen. May be I know who it is.

"Yeah!?", He said to the person.

"Hmm...'everything' is alright! Now don't call me again...I will be back in an hour."

He paid the full fledged bill for our celebratory meal.

"Now Erica! Look at the better side and stop sulking...hey! I totally forgot! Austin called me! Apparently he can't reach you..."

"I completely forgot about that!", I said and he rolled his eyes, "You sure you are twenty five and not fifty two!?"

I chuckled, "I think I am twenty five only."

"I told him there's a family problem and that you will compensate later...but do inform him personally.", I nodded.

"Now C'mon let me drop you back to your place otherwise people will have my head!", I know who he is referring to, but I didn't ask him further.

*

As I walked in, I went to my study table where I left that file.
David reminded me again to read the documents in it while I was exiting his car.

Let's see what these have in store for me.

E R I C

"I don't hope for her to come Eric. She won't.", She said again.
I looked at the vulnerable looking figure who was aware that may be these are few of her last moments.

The doctors said that after operation when they will induce her in a comatose state, she may not wake up immediately, or even never.
I was scared for her, as well as for Erica.

When Mom came, I gave her place to sit beside Ms.Embrey. I looked for David who was making a call outside the room.

"David are you sure Erica will come?", I asked him..

He looked at me with uncertainty though he was pretty sure till the morning, "She will. I..I think she will.."

Well, that said it..he himself is in doubt now.

"Sir!", A nurse approached us, "Should we take Ms. Embrey for preparing her!?"

"Uh..yeah ofcourse..!", Erica! Please come..

"Then sir you should head to the reception for payments and remaining formalities..."

I nodded.

"Eric do you have enough money in your account!?", I heard Dad.

I nodded, "I got one million transferred in my account last week dad. Though I know that is more than enough. But I also want them to shift Ms. Embrey in a hospital suite after her operation, so no one here faces any inconvenience."

He nodded, "Go and pay the medical charge, I will talk about suite."

I left the two and headed towards the elevator.

Pressing the ground floor, I slumped back exhausted on the steel wall.

I will be more disappointed than Ms. Embrey if Erica doesn't come. She's not heartless. And there are ninety percent chances she already read the reports. David also told me yesterday that he slipped in the file, the letter that I received from where it all started.

Though some part of me was unsettled at the thought that how she must be coping up with this piece of information. She may be angry, but she doesn't hate her. And if not a proper mother daughter relationship, then they can almost share something better than what is in present. Because I know that is the only solution to make Erica hundred percent happy.

The elevator pinged and I came out, walking to the reception.

The creepy receptionist looked at me and her cheeks turned red. God! Not again! She almost looks like a rotten tomato.

"I am here to make payments for Ms. Embrey's operation.", I said in a stern voice.

"Oh! Ofcourse sir! Let me extract the details...", And she started furiously typing in her PC. I rolled my eyes and pulled out my card from my pocket.

"Your card sir!", She asked me smiling. Ugh!!

I extended my card but I was too late as another card was forwarded towards her.

"Please use my card..", I heard her and my eyes followed the arm to find her looking at the receptionist..

This moment I realized that one reason I was so troubled was because it was five fucking days and I haven't got a single glance of her.

I got that cliché romantic book feeling where the soul finally meets the body.
I never realized when I fell for her this damn much.

"Ma'am you are!?", The receptionist broke my thoughts.

"I am Ms. Embrey's daughter...", The receptionist meekly nodded but then slowly her eyes widened as she looked at me and then her again...and again at me...

"You are Mr. Ashton's wife!?", Oh holy fucking Jesus!

She on the other hand examined the receptionist skeptically, "I think the payment is more important right now that my introduction! Is it!?"

The rotten tomato winced at her tone and shifted uncomfortably, "Ah...yes ma'am... ofcourse..", she took Erica's card and proceeded with the payment.

"Erica the amount is huge...!", I said as I remembered that.

"I have savings.", Just that and she looked down on the floor as we waited for the receipt.

Embrey's cancer did affect her. I can see the tiredness in her eyes, as if she has been crying over this and not blinked her eyes once.
The thought pained me, yet I was relieved that my Erica is just in there...

*

A/N: Erica didn't react on the husband wife context because she has already read his name as Embrey's son in law in the reports. I will mention this in the next chapter.