**A Shocking Discovery**
As Lyra flung herself into Alex's arms, the initial joy of their reunion was quickly overshadowed by the stark realization of his missing arm and eye. Lyra pulled back slightly, her eyes wide with shock and concern.
"Alex, what happened to you? Your arm... your eye..." she asked, her voice trembling with worry.
Alex smiled weakly, touching the patch over his missing eye and the stump where his arm used to be. "It's a long story, Lyra. I've been through a lot since I left. Let's go inside, and I'll explain everything."
They moved into the warmth of the cabin, a familiar and comforting space that Alex had longed to see again. As they sat down, Lyra looked at him with eyes full of questions and emotions. She had waited so long for this moment, and now that it had arrived, it was bittersweet.
**Recounting the Journey**
For a while, they talked, catching up on the years that had passed. Alex spoke of the journey through the northern pass, the battles they had fought, and the allies they had made along the way. He spoke of the losses they endured, including the harrowing encounter with Shona that had cost him his arm and eye.
Lyra listened intently, her expression shifting from concern to sadness, and finally to a deep sense of empathy and understanding. She knew the life of an adventurer was fraught with danger, but hearing the details of Alex's trials was more harrowing than she had imagined.
However, as they spoke, a different kind of tension began to build in the room. Lyra's eyes grew moist, and her voice wavered. It was clear that something was weighing heavily on her mind.
**The Question**
"Lyra, what's wrong?" Alex asked, sensing her unease. "You've been quiet. Is something bothering you?"
Lyra's eyes filled with tears, and she turned away, wiping them quickly. "Alex, why did it take you so long to come back? You said it would be a few years, but it's been nine years. Nine long years. Why?" Her voice broke, revealing the depth of her hurt and confusion.
Alex felt a pang of guilt. He had always intended to return sooner, but the journey had taken unexpected turns. "I'm so sorry, Lyra. The journey was longer and more dangerous than I anticipated. Shona's influence is spreading, and we got caught up in trying to stop him and find a way to protect this world. There were battles, injuries... I had a destiny to fulfill, but I never meant to be gone this long."
Lyra nodded, her tears flowing freely now. "I understand that you had a destiny, Alex. But while you were out there, I was here, waiting. I had to go on with my life, to find a way to keep going. And during that time, something happened that I need to tell you about."
**A Life-Altering Revelation**
Lyra took a deep breath, composing herself. "Alex, after you left, I found out I was pregnant."
The words hit Alex like a thunderclap, rendering him speechless. His mind raced, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of what she had just revealed. "Pregnant?" he repeated, his voice barely more than a whisper. "We... have a child?"
Lyra nodded, tears still in her eyes but a small, hopeful smile on her lips. "Yes, Alex. We have a son. His name is Joan, and he's almost nine years old. He has your brown hair and my red, and he's the light of my life. He's been asking about you for as long as he could talk."
The reality of Lyra's words slowly sank in, filling Alex with a complex mix of emotions—shock, joy, guilt, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. He had missed so much, so many moments and milestones.
"I have a son," Alex said again, his voice filled with awe. "I can't believe it. I... I need to see him. I need to be a part of his life."
Lyra smiled through her tears, a look of relief and happiness spreading across her face. "He's at the store now, but he should be back soon. I was going to tell him about you when you returned. I didn't know how long it would be, but I always hoped it would be sooner rather than later."
**Anticipation and Reflection**
As they waited, the air in the cabin was thick with anticipation. Alex's mind raced with thoughts of meeting his son, a boy he had never known but now desperately wanted to connect with. He felt an urgent need to explain, to make up for lost time, and to be the father Joan deserved.
"I need to tell Thrain," Alex said, almost to himself. "He needs to know. But first, I want to see Joan. I can't wait to meet him."
Lyra placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You will, Alex. And he'll be so happy to finally meet you. He's been drawing pictures of you, telling stories of the father he imagined—a brave adventurer who'd one day come home."
Alex felt a lump in his throat, the weight of his absence pressing heavily on him. But alongside the guilt and regret was a burgeoning sense of hope and purpose. He had a family, a son, and despite everything that had happened, he was here now, ready to embrace this new chapter of his life.
As they sat together, waiting for Joan's return, Alex's thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. He knew that this was just the beginning, that there would be challenges and difficult conversations ahead. But for now, he was filled with a sense of anticipation and the promise of a long-awaited reunion.
The chapter concluded with Alex and Lyra sitting together, their hearts full of hope and fear, waiting for the moment that would change their lives forever.