After crying her eyes out, Lucy knew it was time to meet with Benjamin. He was her husband, after all. She understood that a lengthy amount of time has passed for them as well, but it was immeasurable to the suffering she endured while in Hell. Yet, she still felt guilty, even after all of these years; even knowing what has been done to her and what she will probably still have to endure.
Ben didn't answer Adelaide's phone calls at first, ignoring her. Lucy suspected it was because of the diaries and seminars, but she couldn't be sure. What was he hiding from his only daughter? He did pick up at last and agreed to come down to meet her in the university, but he didn't believe a shred of what she said. How could he? The situation was downright fantastical.
Adelaide sighed, sitting down on the sofa next to her mother. Lucy analyzed her face, noticing every crease on it. She was young and so tired; she reminded her of her own life. So many worries in so little time. She saw the ring on her finger and smiled.
"Who is he?" Lucy asked softly, leaning towards her daughter.
"Oh, what?" At first Ada didn't know what her mother was talking about until she saw her looking at the ring on her finger. She smiled, but there was something missing in her heart. "His name is Hector. We met a couple years ago, he's a prominent business man."
Lucy stared at her daughter's face, gauging what the pedantic description of her fiancée could mean. Based on the size of the ring she knew he was rich or at least very well off. Based on how he was described, he could have been practical. She hoped that he wasn't cold, but the sadness behind Adelaide's eyes betrayed that there was something unsaid here.
"Does he make you happy?"
This was a sudden question her daughter didn't expect. Her mouth gaped slightly, waiting for an answer come out but it didn't. Before she could say anything, Benjamin burst through the door.
He was a shell of a person Lucy remembered. The mighty man who once threatened her with so much power was now just another regular guy. His eyes had eyebags, his skin was wrinkly from age and his hair was greyed out. He didn't keep up with his physique much either - he had quite a belly, probably from the time he spent just sitting.
Yet, there was still a familiar attraction she felt towards him. The thing that had gotten her hooked first was still there. His demeanor hadn't changed, even though his body has. Lucy sighed, not sure what to say. Based on his reaction, he wasn't sure either.
"So it's true," the words that came out of his mouth were calculated. She could tell his presence made Adelaide uncomfortable, just as it once made her. All she could do was nod as he smirked at her silence. "You haven't changed a bit. Still same, frozen like a statue."
If she didn't know any better she could have said that maybe he was surprised, or even missed her, but Lucy knew her husband. This was an attack. He meant to jab at her silence, at her own awe. Back when they had been married this occurred lest frequently but it still happened. He knew how to silence her, Ben was always good about controlling her words.
"I was dead, Benjamin," her words were equally cold. He was not happy to see her, and it made sense why. It wasn't just that she had killed herself, it was also the fact that now he had to deal with her again: stay with her or divorce her, either way, he would have her presence back in his life. And if she remembered her husband well enough, she knew he did not want that.
"I know. I was the one who found your floating, bloated body."
There it was, another insult. This one not just to her, but to Ada as well. He wanted to emphasized that she chose to end her own life and she should have endured whatever consequences he deemed necessary for it. Lucy could already see that he will try to make her life a living hell. Adelaide must have felt the tension rising because she stepped in:
"Dad, not now," it was weird how she had such an effect on a person who wasn't even her father. At least one thing was clear - he may not have forgiven her for publishing the diaries, but he still raised and loved her. He could be cold around her, but only for so long before he melted looking at his daughter. "Please."
Benjamin sighed before turning away from Lucy for a couple of seconds and composing himself. He didn't know what to say or do, but he wanted to be out of this room as soon as possible. Lucy wondered where does he seek comfort?
"I don't know what else to say to either one of you," he admitted before shooting a glare at Lucy. She couldn't help but shudder at the ice daggers coming from his eyes. "In other circumstances, this would have been a miracle, but my life has moved on without you, Lucy. I....I don't feel any attachment to you, so it's merely shock that you're here, that's all."
He was being more polite, but even through his "kindness" she could sense his fear and resentment. To some extent, she understood why. He had loved her once, very much. He gave up a lot of his life for her, and she threw it away for Aiven, who never really fully returned her feelings. Perhaps it was not too late to mend those wounds? If he had healed from the damage she'd done, maybe she could heal their relationship?
No, she couldn't. She didn't want to. She remembered her afterlife, distinctly and vividly, with all the horrors she endured and why. If anything, she had to figure out if Aiven is back with her, or if he's somewhere else - somewhere better. Part of her had hoped that he made it back here again, but part of her also wanted what's best for him, and she knew that being here would not be best for him.
"I understand," she sighed, simply. She too, had very little to say to him. The days of their happiness and love were far behind them. They were too different now to get along as they did when they were young, and too much damage has been done between them for either one of them to trust the other.
His eyes wandered around her. Behind his cool, she could see that seeing her actually did touch him. Maybe not as much it would have had he still loved her, but somewhere, deep within there was emotion.
"Lucy, I-"
The phone ring interrupted him. He quickly scrambled in his pocket, pulling out his phone. Clearly offended, Adelaide watched in horror. Lucy knew she wanted to say something but she stopped her daughter before she could launch into an angry rant. Even though they barely spent any time together, this was an instinct, something almost animalistic within her that told her exactly what she needed to do.
"Shira? What?" He continued, looking away from them. His expression changed from surprise to pain. Lucy couldn't understand why at first, but then it clicked. If she appeared in front of Adelaide it was not because she loved her daughter very much. But because she was the last person she saw. So if Aiven appeared on Earth again, the last person he would have talked to would have been Shira. Excitement quickly washed over her.
She wasn't alone. Her best friend, the true love of her life, her soulmate was back here with her. He must want to see her as well. If he has any idea she's here, there was no doubt in her mind that the two of them would make it work this time. It was what they promised each other, what they wanted to do.
Lucy remembered running away as if it was just a second ago. The heat of the pits emanating on her face, the harsh winds blowing her hair away from her face. Aiven's hand, holding hers so tightly. She could smell the fear on herself as she thought about it but she could also remember their hope, and their promises.
"Wherever we end up, promise me you'll find me," a whisper that came through tears and sweat. The demons were just behind them. Any moment now they would have burst through the door and taken them back to the depths.
"I promise," just two simple words she said back to him, before kissing him and hugging him tightly. Oh, what would she give now to feel his lips on hers again, to sense his warm, loving touch. But she didn't have to wait long, it was any minute now.
The look on Benjamin's face as he hung up was empty, emotionless. To Lucy this was a good sign, because she knew he was shocked. And her husband rarely ever got shocked. Finally, she would be able to give into her feelings and live her life as she truly wanted to!
"What is it?" Adelaide asked, clearly unaware to the whole situation. Lucy didn't even consider her daughter. Remorse crept into her chest like a bug, not knowing what she would think if Lucy wanted to spend her life with Aiven instead of her father.
"Shira called," he started slowly, not moving and standing as solid as he could. Ada probably couldn't see it, but Lucy saw him wavering. "Aiven is also back on Earth."
She wanted to practically explode with happiness. Not being the only person who remembered her circumstances would be so nice, especially given the history they shared in Hell.
"Oh my god," Ada had very little to say. No wonder, so many news in just a day. Lucy wanted to tell her everything, but she knew it would take time.
"That's not all," Ben smirked, staring directly at Lucy. Oh no. She knew that look. It was filled with vengeance. "He wants to remarry Shira."