Shebawls. There’s no controlling it, no point in trying to keep it inside. She’s sad and lonely and grieving, but she’s also relieved and overjoyed and so damn in love. It’s an overwhelming concoction of emotions that she wades through all at the same time.
“I know you’re hurting, sweetheart. If I could take your pain away in a heartbeat, I would. You’re just going to have to deal with me being annoying.”
Eden manages to roll over to face him, her lip trembling. “I didn’t mean it,” she mumbles. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it.”
“It’s okay.”
“It’s not. I’m so pathetic right now.”
“You’re not pathetic. Trust me, I’ve been there. I’ve said my fair share of mean things when I was at my lowest. But you’re more than welcome to yell at me if it’ll make you feel better.”
She shakes her head, wipes her teary eyes with her hands. “No. No, you don’t deserve that.”
“You’re my whole world, Eden. Never forget it.”
“O-okay…”
“There’s something I want you to do for me.”
“What is it?”
“I want you to take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.”
Eden can’t believe how lucky she is. He’s so strong. So resilient.
It takes a bit more convincing, but Shang eventually helps her into the shower, washes her hair, dries her off with the fluffiest of his towels. He carries her back to bed, allowing her to curl up close as he places his laptop between them and puts on a movie.Ratatouille—because of course. Eden’s only half watching, but the adorable animations and the sound of the characters voices bring her comfort. What she enjoys the most are Shang’s occasional comments.
“So unrealistic,” he mumbles. “Real ratatouille takes three hours to make. Ego would have been waiting forever.”
Eden’s heart feels a little bit lighter. She’s far from making a full recovery, but sheisgetting better. She manages a half-laugh as she presses her face against his chest, soothed by his presence. When she’s with him, she knows she’s never truly alone.
It takes her another week. She feels guilty, taking so much time, but it’s not like depression has a start and end date. There’s no timer counting down, no set time period that draws a hard line between her lows and highs. She wakes up that morning expecting to have yet another repeat of the day before. Maybe she’ll manage a walk around the house. Maybe a nap or four.
But she feels better today. Lighter. The clouds are parting. She’s going to be okay. And if not, she knows she always has him to lean on if she needs to.
“There’s my sunshine,” Shang greets her with a genuine smile when she finally manages to shuffle into the kitchen. He rises from his seat at the table, abandoning the paperwork he has spread out over the surface. Shang wraps his arms around her and presses a flurry of light kisses to her cheeks, her forehead, the tip of her nose. “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” she mumbles against his shirt. “Much better.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Take a seat, I’ll make you breakfast.”
“I’m not that hungry.” He looks her dead in the eye and holds her gaze until she finally relents. “Alright, fine. Maybe I’m alittlehungry.”
Shang perks right back up. “I’ll make your favorite.”
“Belgian waffles with strawberry compôte?”
“No, a single hard-boiled egg. Of course Belgian waffles with strawberry compôte.”
“You really know how to spoil me.”
“An honor and a privilege, I assure you.”
Eden gives his butt a light pinch before takes a seat at the kitchen table and watches Shang shuffle around his kitchen. Wonder of wonders, he’shummingas he cooks. Eden isn’t sure what the tune is, but it makes her all warm and bubbly inside to see him so at ease.
She takes the opportunity to plug in her phone. The last time she bothered checking it was just before visiting Xu Hong and Li’s upstate. It takes a few minutes, but once it has enough juice, her phone turns on.
A sudden bombardment of notification sounds erupts not long after.
