Chapter 55 – Something that was Missing

Chapter 55 – Something that was Missing

[Raynelle POV]

It was a cold, crisp morning. The last week had been nothing but rain, but it seemed that the sun had finally decided to show itself. Ava and I had both been woken up at the crack of dawn because we’d forgotten to close the curtains the night before.

“It’s coming up on two years soon...” I spoke to myself while gently rocking back on my chair, “Almost hard to believe...”

“What was that?” Ava stepped out of the kitchen carrying two plates piled high with breakfast.

“I was just thinking about the past,” I quickly got up from my seat and took one of the plates from her, “Lately, I’ve just been getting that feeling, y’know? Wanting to just... look back on things again.”

Looking at the plates, it seemed that Ava had once again managed to get her hands on a new recipe from Ana. She had prepared some kind of dish made from diced potato and meat with a poached egg in the centre. I couldn’t wait to dig in and started making my way back to the table.

“Should I go wake our little fox up now?” Ava called out with her hand already on the door to Kierra’s room.

“No... just let her sleep in today,” I said, pulling out the chair next to me and gesturing for Ava to come and sit down, “She’s really been pushing herself with her training the last few months. She could do with a good rest.”

“If you say so,” She took her hand from the door before making her way over and sitting down next to me.

As soon as she was seated, she started digging in. Naturally, I followed her lead, shoving a forkful into my mouth. The flavour was strong and incredibly savoury, making my mouth continuously water involuntarily.

“Ava, what did you put in this?” I asked after swallowing that first mouthful, “I think I’m about to start drooling all over the table whether I want to or not.”

“You don’t need to exaggerate so much. The only new thing I used was a sauce made from mushrooms, and to be honest with you,” She quickly ate another bite, “I think I need to try using this in other dishes.”

A sauce made from mushrooms?

You can make mushrooms taste like this?

I thought they were just watery and bland...

...

We both wolfed down the rest of the food. However, right as I took the last bite, a thought crossed my mind.

“Um Ava... You did set some aside for Kierra, right?”

I really don’t want to be blamed for making Kierra miss out on breakfast.

“Of course I left some for her. It’s sitting in the kitchen. I can just warm it up whenever she wakes up,” Ava said with a smirk, “I’m not exactly going to let her go hungry now am I?”

Thank goodness... I really don’t want to make that mistake.

...

...

Maybe I should still check... just in case...

“Alright, then I’ll clear up” I got up and picked up both mine and Ava’s plates before walking towards the kitchen, “But don’t go anywhere; I have something I want to talk with you about,”

As soon as I had set the plates down in the kitchen I went looking for the food Ava had set aside. Thankfully, there was still some more food left in the pan. As soon as I was happy that Kierra wasn’t going to miss out on breakfast, my eyes found themselves wandering over to the pot sitting next to the pan. Inside was a very dark sauce, which was probably the mushroom sauce Ava had mentioned.

“Hmmm?...”

Surely, I can have a taste.

I grabbed a spoon and took a small spoonful of the thick sauce.

Ava really has grown up so fast... she’s even comforting her mother now...

...

What am I even thinking about?

I shook my head in an attempt to clear my thoughts.

“Well, in four days, it’ll have been exactly two years since we took her in...” I said, “We could just put something together for that, then... after asking her about it... maybe we could make that day her birthday? If she says no, then that’s fine; it’s still a day worth celebrating after all.”

Once again, silence fell over the room. However, this time, Ava was the first to break it.

“That sounds like a good idea to me,” She leaned back in her chair, “Although... there is a ‘slight’ problem with that plan.”

“A problem?”

“Well... isn’t that also the day she’s going to the temple this week?”

Wait...

How didn’t I realise that?

...

It’s...

...

“It’ll be alright... probably... We can just... do something in the morning and the evening... It just wouldn’t mean as much if we moved the day around, y’know? And I’m sure we can make it work, even if there’s a slight hiccup along the way.”

“Well... if you say so Mom,” Ava got up from the table, “So, now that that’s been decided on... anything else you wanted to mention?”

“Well... I wanted to bring it up a few days in advance so you’d have some time to put together a gift for her... if you wanted to.” I replied, “I’ve already put in an order for something a while ago, but I’m sure you’d rather get her something yourself.”

“I was already planning to do that as soon as you mentioned we’d be celebrating,” Ava laughed, “I’ll go and visit Ana later today. There’s something I’ve wanted to try putting together for a while now, and this is as good an excuse as any to give it a go.”

She already had something in mind?

I guess I wasn’t the only one wanting to do something like this.

“That’s good...” I spoke as I got up from the table myself, “Actually, on that note, while you’re out, can you go and pick up what I ordered for her? I’ll probably be doing some more weapon training with her today, so it’d be best for you to sneak it back home while we’re out.”

“Sure thing, just tell me where to go this time,” A smirk once again crept over Ava’s face, “I don’t want to be forced to check every store down the street again.”

“Oh come on, that was only one time,” I dug through my bag until I found a small slip of paper with the details for the order, “Take this to the smithy, the one right at the end of the street run by that tall lad with red hair.”

I handed the note to Ava, who immediately folded it and put it in her pocket.

“Not your usual place?” Ava asked.

“No, I needed something a bit different to the usual gear. That kid just happened to be able to do what I wanted. Should’ve seen his face light up when I mentioned my idea to him. It was as if he had been waiting for a request like this.”

“So, I’ll go to Ana first, then on my way back, I need to pick up your order from this smithy and bring it back before you’re done with Kierra,” Ava spoke as she walked to the kitchen, “Sounds good. Now, go wake up our little fox, I’ll warm her breakfast through for her.”

With that, Ava disappeared into the kitchen, and the smell of breakfast once again wafted through the house. Without saying another word, I turned and opened the door to Kierra’s room; inside were two foxes still sleeping peacefully on the bed.

“Good morning you two!” I shouted as I sat down on the bed, jostling the two of them slightly, “You’ve slept in quite a while today.”

Now, I just need to make sure to act the same as usual to keep it a surprise for her.