"'They won't have to be, my love. I'll take care of everything.' How good I was back then at making promises I couldn't keep. Guess that has really not changed. I promised Simon to keep Stella safe, June and Allen to keep her happy. And all I've done is gotten her injured and hurt and sad and angry." Den muttered to himself as he soaked into the tub of hot water and closed his eyes.
As would have been expected from her, Stella cause a lot of trouble with some people and got into a fight, though she returned home before dawn and without any injuries.
As she climbed onto the first floor and in through her window, which was a rather difficult task to accomplish with one arm, Stella was panting and plopped on her bed. She curled herself into a ball and fell asleep, clutching the star-shaped locket to her chest.
The sun was high in the sky when she woke up. Stella sat up and stretched as she looked around. "Damn! Seems like I slept through most of the day. Anyway, let's see what we can get to eat." she mumbled to herself, running the fingers of her good hand through her hair, making them look more like a nest than before.
But Stella stopped dead in her tracks as she entered the kitchen. Sharp stood bent over the stove, a spoon in his mouth and brows furrowed. Seeing Stella, he smiled and said, "I made breakfast for you."
Stella wondered if she was dreaming as she replied with an "Oh. . . . . ." "Though it's time for lunch, but I guess it'll do as I heated it when I heard you wake up." Den continued, "Go and freshen up while I set the table."
"Why do I feel like a lamb before slaughter?" Stella mumbled to herself as she walked to the bathroom, and the floor almost slipped from under her feet when she heard Sharp chuckle at her words.
Stella walked into the dining room after a few minutes, looking very suspicious. Her eyes widened upon seeing the huge spread on the table. She looked in horror at Den who was brought another plate of something and set it on the table. He chuckled upon seeing Stella's expression and said, "Why do you look so horrified, McCartney?" he asked, pulling a chair for her. She walked and sat on the chair and frowned. "Cause I somehow feel like this is my last meal." she said, not even looking at the food, but instead staring at Den.
"And why on earth would you think that?" Den asked, tilting his head.
Stella replied without a beat, "Because you're not nice to me." She suddenly realized what she had said and mumbled, "I am sorry. I really am. I did not mean. . . . . " she began, but Den cut her off saying, "Don't be. You're right. But I made a promise yesterday."
"Yeah." Stella chewed her lower lip wondering if she should say or not. She decided to and opened her mouth, "About that I. . . . . ." But she was cut off by a loud growl from her stomach. Sharp let out a laugh that oddly sounded like a harp being played to Stella.