Eden's Root (58 page)

“Happy Birthday Fi,” he said and Sara coughed behind him. Sean turned and nodded to Lily first. “Sorry, nice to see you Lily,” he said and then he turned and nodded to Sara. “You too Sara.” His voice softened when he spoke to Sara and she flushed and gave him a shy smile.

“Sean,” she responded, her fingers wringing together in her lap.

“Well I didn’t mean to break up your fun here,” Sean smiled. “I just wanted to update Fi on some changes I made to the app I did for her,” he held up the tablet he had in his hand. “Come see me later whenever you get a chance to talk,” he said and he turned to head back out the door. When he got to the door and slid it open, he turned back for a second and looked right at Sara.

“That dress would look amazing on you too Sara,” he said quickly and then slipped out. The sound of the door sliding shut covered the gasps he left behind. For several seconds there was silence while Lily and Fi stared at Sara in astonishment. Fi spoke first.

“Oh my God Sara!” she laughed and covered her mouth. “How long has this been going on?”

“Yeah!” Lily echoed, smacking Sara in the face with her pillow. Sara fell back onto the bed like she’d been knocked out and all three of them laughed. “How come you didn’t tell me?” Lily demanded, smacking at Sara again. Sara laughed and sat back up, pushing her sister’s flailing pillow away.

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “There’s nothing going on anyway!” She wailed in protest and Fi snorted.

“Yeah, Sean was really subtle there,” she laughed. “He clearly has no interest in you whatsoever.” Sara’s eyes were locked onto Fi.

“I’m sorry Fi that I didn’t tell you that…” her voice trailed off. “That I liked Sean that way,” she dropped her hands into her lap. Fi shook her head.

“That’s ok, Sara.” She sat down on the bed next to her. “I think it’s really nice.” Sara shook her head.

“There really isn’t anything going on yet,” she said, emphasizing the ‘yet’. “We just started hanging out together and talking more during our free time after you first introduced us Fi,” she explained. “I didn’t want to offend or upset you, and I didn’t know how he felt anyway,” she added. “So I didn’t tell anyone about it.” Fi laughed and gave Sara a hug.

“Why so sad Sara?” she asked as she pulled away. “Why do you think that I would be upset?” Fi could see tears welling up in Sara’s eyes.

“Because Sean is so important to you,” she murmured. Fi sighed.

“Sara, I’m sure Sean explained our relationship to you,” she said and Sara nodded. “So you know that I love Sean more than almost anyone in the whole wide world.” Sara sucked in her breath. “As a brother Sara, as a best friend,” Fi clarified and Sara exhaled.

“That’s what he said, but I thought he still had feelings for you,” she said as a tear slipped down her cheek. Fi reached and brushed it away and smiled.

“Sara, it’s pretty clear who he has feelings for,” she smiled. Sara nodded and laughed as a few more stray tears made their way down her cheeks.

“I guess so,” she choked and wiped her face. “I’m really happy about that,” she laughed shakily and Fi hugged her again.

“Me too,” Fi nodded, “me too.” She tilted her head. “So now you have to tell us all about it,” she teased. “What do you like most about Sean?”

“Yes, tell us all about it!” Lily begged.

“Well,” Sara blushed. “I think he’s cute, obviously,” she said and laughed.

“Obviously,” Fi grinned as she changed out of the dress and back into her own t-shirt and jeans.

“And he’s really funny. And he’s sooooooooooo smart!” she added, her voice growing breathier by the second. “And,” Sara continued as Fi hung the dress. “He is so gentle and kind, especially to his little sisters,” she added, dropping her gaze as she flushed in embarrassment again.

“Sara,” Fi breathed and sat beside her again. She took her hands. “You don’t just like him,” she said with recognition. “You love him.” Sara nodded and another stray tear fell as she smiled in return. “Oh Sara,” Fi hugged her. “What a good pick you’ve made!” Fi patted Sara’s hand. “Well, we’ll have to make sure that he sees you in this dress really soon,” she gestured toward Sara’s beautiful dress. Lily piped up, breaking into the older girls’ conversation.

“Her birthday is only a month after yours!” she crowed and Fi laughed.

“Yes,” she nodded. “Another birthday. Let’s make it a Birthday Dress,” she murmured. Remembering Maggie in her beautiful blue crepe brought tears to her eyes. Smiling, she wiped them away with the back of her hand. This dress was definitely that special, she thought and turned to Sara. “Thank you Sara, for loaning me your birthday dress.” Fi and Sara hugged once more before Fi slid out the door to head back to her own pod.

Later that night, Fi slipped into Sara’s dress with excitement, her heart racing. It was finally her birthday. The silky burgundy slip dress glided over her clean skin. She breathed in as she pulled it over her head, smelling the freshness of the fabric. It was always so delicious to smell things now, she thought. Everything was always clean. The soft straps hovered on her shoulders as she smoothed the diaphanous layer of burgundy organza that floated over the slip dress. It had an empire silhouette and fell to her knees. Cut on the bias, the hemline floated and fluttered when she moved. Her delicate collarbone was accentuated by the sweetheart neckline.

She wished that she had fancy shoes to wear with the dress, but the only ones she could find to borrow that fit her were a pair of gold, flat-heeled sandals. No matter, she thought, the dress was enough. She was so excited to wear something pretty for Asher. When she stepped in front of the full-length mirror in her pod and looked at herself she gasped. It was not that she hadn’t seen herself in a mirror recently, but she hadn’t seen herself looking so, well, beautiful, she thought as she turned and smiled. Even when she had tried the dress on at Sara’s, she’d been wearing her sports bra and had her hair back in the usual braid.

Now, she pulled the jeweled pink ribbon that Sara had given her into her loose hair. She used it as a headband to pull her hair off her face. It was a very long and Fi tied it just behind her left ear, leaving the dangling pink trailers to wind themselves into her curls. Her hair had darkened with the winter months inside Eden. It was more of an auburn color now. Fi turned and looked at herself from different angles. Smiling, she was pleased.

Where once she had been a stick figure, now her athletic body boasted beautiful curves. It was amazing what adequate nutrition could do for you, she thought as she looked at her bright eyes and glowing skin. Since coming to Eden, she had also lost her tan and her skin was soft and clear. Unfortunately, she noticed, this made her copper freckles more prominent. Normally this would have annoyed her, but today it just made her think of her father. Sighing, she thought of both her parents. How they would have loved to see her dressed up today.

This wasn’t just any birthday. It was her Sweet Sixteen. With the help of her Family and newfound friends in Eden, it was going to be absolutely wonderful, she knew. They had a whole party planned for her and she was very excited, but she did feel the sting of her parents’ absence nearly as much. This was her first birthday without either of them. That was why she was so glad that she was spending the evening with Asher. He would understand her mixed emotions. Though the truth was that she spent nearly every evening with Asher anyway. Since they had begun living in Eden, they had become completely inseparable. It made her laugh now to think of how she had behaved those first few weeks inside Eden. The way she had let her insecurities plague her.

When they first arrived, she’d worried that a greater choice and age range of women could undermine their bond. It hadn’t helped that girls and women had followed him around with stars in their eyes. Maybe he just loved her because of the circumstances, the closeness, she had thought. She’d even been silly enough to fight with him and pull away at times. But he had understood, had been patient.

“Don’t you think I was worried about the same thing?” he’d asked her when she’d finally confessed her fears. This revelation had shocked her. She hadn’t even thought of it. That he would be worried that she’d lose interest in him. Asher had laughed at her stunned expression. “Well,” he’d said, brushing her lips with his, “I haven’t thought about anyone else either.” It was one of Fi’s favorite happy moments, which seemed to be adding up a lot lately. Fi closed her eyes, savoring the memory.

“You’ve put a spell on me Fi,” he had smiled. “I can’t think of anything else but you. Whenever I spend time away from you, I get annoyed because I want to talk and joke and play with you. It’s like no matter how good anything is,” he explained, “it’s always better with you.” Nodding her agreement, she’d turned her lips to his for a kiss. Leaning in eagerly, he had obliged her, and their fight had officially ended with Fi breathless and happy. That was the day he had said the best thing ever. He’d said, “I love you Fi, and I
always
will.”

Fi opened her eyes again, her cheeks flushed with anticipation for the night. At least Maggie had met Asher and had approved of him, she reflected. She was certain her father would have liked him too. How could Mike not have liked someone who loved her as much as he had? Certainly she had never expected to feel so loved in her life. Laughing, she twirled around and then heard a cough behind her as her door slid open.

She whirled and saw Asher standing in her doorway. As she turned to face him, he gasped and his expression changed. He looked odd, like he was choking or something, he even flushed a little. Wasn’t he pleased? Her mind rushed to doubts again. Maybe she looked too young? That, she definitely didn’t want. She frowned.

“Oh no Fi.” He stepped forward and grabbed her hands. “You look amazing!” He held her arms out. “Twirl again for me,” he requested. She flushed and ducked her head. It was already embarrassing that he’d seen her twirl the first time. It was so girly. But as she met his expectant eyes, she knew she couldn’t refuse him. With Asher holding up one of her hands like they were dancing, Fi did a slow twirl.

----------- Asher -----------

As she spun beneath his upheld arm, Asher felt his stomach turn over. There was no question that Fi was beautiful, she looked beautiful in cargo pants for goodness’ sakes, he thought. But this, the dress, her hair, it was almost too much. He could hardly breathe.

Eating healthy had given her back her subtle curves, which the delicate slip dress accentuated. Against the burgundy color, her long curls glowed and her eyes looked almost green, with golden flecks. Excitement brought a flush to her cheeks, the glow of health and love making her irresistible.

As he thought about the surprise that he had in his pocket, his heart began to pound. Thank goodness he had something suitable to complement her beauty.

“Exquisite,” he sighed.

----------- Fi -----------

Fi bit her lip. Usually she was not shy around Asher anymore, but she felt very vulnerable all dressed up. Asher shook his head and leaned in to kiss her.

“I’m wrong, the word is stunning. That’s why I froze in your doorway,” he laughed. “I was quite literally stunned.”

“You look pretty stunning yourself,” she said to him and was pleased to see him flush. It was still amazing to Fi that her attraction to him was something he questioned. Like her, he had also put weight back on and his frame had gained muscle. He wore a blue button down shirt that was the same color as his eyes and dark slacks. His hair was also trimmed. It was still long and blonde, but it was too short to braid now, and it fell into his face. Reaching out, she pushed his hair behind his ear and touched his face. He grabbed her hand and kissed her palm.

“I have a special surprise for you,” he said, his voice wavering. “Sit down,” he asked her as he sat on her bed. She settled beside him and he pulled a small cloth out of his pocket that was tied with a pretty ribbon. Seeing the rustic ‘packaging’ for his present, she smiled.

“It’s not like there is an easy way to wrap gifts here,” he joked. When he handed her the small, makeshift bag, she could feel that his hand was shaking. Why was he so nervous, she wondered? Fi pulled on the ribbon and the cloth fell open onto her lap, revealing something sparkling and beautiful. She gasped.

“What…How…?” she stammered and Asher reached for the ring. He held it in his palm so she could see it better. It was a gold with a single large, rectangular sapphire in the middle of it, surrounded by two swooping waves of inlaid diamonds on either side. It was breathtaking. Fi’s heart pounded.

“Where did you get it?” she asked. It was the first question she could actually verbalize. He laughed.

“In those first days in the City people looted places that had things besides food,” he shook his head. “We didn’t know that canned food would become more important to us later. I remember wandering into a looted jewelry store and just looking around. When I swung my flashlight over the broken glass cabinets and scattered jewels it was like going to a disco party,” he smiled and Fi frowned in confusion. Asher grinned.

“Dark room. Rainbow sparkles everywhere…the walls, the ceiling…” he explained and Fi chuckled in recognition. It had been a while since she had thought of a disco ball.

“That must have been quite a sight,” she said.

“I grabbed this one,” he nodded at the ring. “I thought it was so unique and beautiful. I don’t know what I was thinking, I guess I just thought if I got to see my mother again I would give it to her. I wanted to let her know how important she was…is…was,” he struggled. Fi stopped him.

“Ash,” she said lovingly, “I can’t take your mother’s ring. We’re going to find your parents and then you will give that to her,” she insisted. But Asher shook his head.

“No, Fi. That’s exactly why I’m giving you this ring. Even if we find my mother,” he stopped. “When we find my mother,” he corrected himself, “I know she will understand.” His face grew serious and he grabbed her hands. The ring was still in his right hand and both their hands closed around it. “She will understand because when a man makes his decision,” he paused, “then it’s best if the ring is from family anyway.” His gaze was intense as he squeezed her hands.