Felix's POV :
The afternoon breeze of mid-March, a bit cold and warmth mixed with the scent of fresh leaves from the forest filled my lungs as I made way out of the hospital. Five weeks and four days had passed since that day, and I'm still not out of my hideout which was bounded between the safehouse and the hospital. Jasper had returned to his normal self, only to that self where he still didn't meet me yet, meaning that he is completely ignoring me. I should be thankful to Simon though, he indeed kept his words to heal that younger boy and I can't ask for more.
Our first semester exam just ended at the start of the second week and the results are already out, you won't trust me but despite my rough start with all that injuries and all, I managed to gather an A in my major, in PE A+, and in DS A++.
Just look at the violence of rhythm, I'm going to be a doctor, not an assassin, for heaven's sake!
Nicholas still kept visiting me time to time, only one week before the exams, Professor Jones had to give him a curt restrictions on getting out of the main campus and thanks to Simon again I came to know the situation.
However the same routine started again with the exams finally ending, he was so overwhelmingly excited after seeing me, it was contagious. I almost worried about his academic performance for a moment. And he completely proved me wrong with his result: an A++ in his major, in PE an A, and in DS A++. A perfect beat! However still he was beaten by my brother in DS who had a perfect AA and Nicholas nagged about this for nth time.
Them and their cat and mouse play!
"Felix!"
That voice definitely brought me back to the present where I was still about to cross the threshold of the student pass gate of the hospital and ahead of me stood Matthew and his forever companion Julian.
"Jules!"
I made a run to engulf him in a tight hug.
"Wow! I'm really hurt you know?! Sometimes I forget who is your brother actually?! Me or him?!"
With a fake pout Mat retorted.
Chuckling lightly, I broke the hug with Julian, then extending my hand to him, I invited him, "come here."
However that mischievous glint already vanished from his face, replaced with a genuine surprise and something almost like a melancholic touch up and my brother hid it too well.
Embracing me in a tight warm hug, Mat mumbled "I'm glad to see you this happy Lixie."
"This happiness is contagious! And I'm sharing it with everyone until it runs out." With a huge grin I responded.
"Truly a man in love!"
Snorting, Julian commented.
"As if two don't just ignore the whole world in the presence of eachother!" I teased back.
"Really? Now? Okay, fine! Yes, we're eachother's universe! But then what are these?"
Showing me the bags, Julian added, "who has this crazy Idea of celebrating his love interest's birthday with this grandeur?!!!"
A prominent smirk visible on his face.
"Me? I planned only to treat him a special meal or a stroll through the town to buy whatever he likes."
With a quite sigh, I only stated the truth, a fondness glazing over me.
"Then why did you tell us to bring these?" With a frown Matthew asked.
"Her majesty insisted." With a sigh, I stated.
They both looked equally puzzled, as if I have answered the most unexpected.
"She remembers?"
Eyes still wide with surprise, Mat asked again.
"Since the very first year of her memory loss. I've never told her when my birthday is neither I mentioned what I like or dislike, but she always remembered these. As of a muscle memory." With a distanced gaze, I informed.
Another shaky breath and I continued, "she doesn't remember who her son is or how does he look, but she always remembered the feeling of having a son, of being a mother.... I still remember the first time when she surprised me with her homemade cake on this very day, five years ago."
Reminiscing the very moment in my mind, I looked at my brother intensely, "I'm right infront of her, being the most modest son ever, and she...she takes care of me as the best mom, but her contentment doesn't reach her heart, and she knows that but for my sake she never let these thoughts out... I'm just watching her becoming more and more agitated by this fragile film between her and the truth."
My eyes glazed as I sensed the utter helplessness gnawing my inner self.
"Lix!"
Julian engulfed me in another assuring embrace.
"What's Dr. Kaiser's thought on it?" Mat enquired.
"He said if there is any chance to trigger her old memories, she would remember everything but that's a 50/50 case...."
"...so they aren't taking the risk."
As I nodded, brother asked again, "you aren't planning to do something about it, are you?" His eyes sharp, prying.
"Mat, I need you to trust me this time..." Voice steady, eyes unwavering, I pleadingly looked at him.
"Lix, I... I am always on your side. But this...this will turn the Hammonds, the Kaisers and the Jensens against us."
Really troubled, brother tried to reason with me.
"I'm not telling you to help in this task... just don't interfere at all. Though the members will be banishing me from the group forever, at least I won't have any regret."
Fully determined, I assured my brother.
"So be it then. Just don't go too much further. Be extremely careful."
As expected from my brother, he always supported.
"What about your truce offer to the Kaisers? Did mom dad agree?"
Changing the topic, I asked him.
"Yes, they did approve. And we're currently searching for a suitable person to talk." With a triumphant smile, Mat informed.
"That's sound so much like Jules you know!" As I looked back at the mentioned male, Julian gave me a wink.
I knew it!
"Okay. I gotta go. I need to give those to mom and then head to my training."
Taking the bags, I informed them and then headed towards the safehouse.
Finally the safehouse retained it's old prosperous vigour as the small garden had been replaced again and that by mom, of course! Though they're just some tiny saplings, they're already giving away their growth spurt! Lazily jogging in the living space, I almost startled mom who was engrossed in a novel.
"Mom! I'm home!"
Wide eyed, she stared at me as if conveying the message "you scared the hell out of me!"
With a silly grin, I showed her the bags and that's when she enlightened, her face literally lit up, her eyes sparkled and her genuine excited smile spread over her glowing face. Taking the bags, she immediately checked everything, if I forgot something by any chance. Thankfully the shopping was done by the most responsible and trustable person who never disappoints.
After she was finished, she offered, "let's get you something to eat."
"Mom, I had lunch in the canteen. Right now, I have my training, remember? Tristan might be already waiting for me."
With an apologetic smile I informed her.
"Just one cookie."
Her eyes almost rounded as she coaxed me.
"Okay. But...just one!" I surrendered.
Munching on the cookie, I entered the forest just behind the cottage, only to be startled by the presence of other person, who was actually the former Crown Prince of the Kaisers and that without his hospital gown.
His eyes meeting mine, as if already provoking me on a serious note, his gaze shifted slightly to the forest, indicating me to go forward and so I did, closely being followed by that very man. And there came the sudden blow from the infamous sword of the Kaisers. Steve didn't give me enough time to turn, so aligning my body while running backwards, I blocked hard and that with full force on my right hand. He had this ominous smirk looming over his face since then.
Approx fifteen minutes later, we were completely breathless. Panting we agreed on truce, more likely Steve gave me a break.
With an observant stare, he remarked, "your right hand is working just fine. Triss was right, you're at hiding again."
So that's what he was doing all along.
"That's why you're here today, instead of Tristan, aren't you?"
"Hmm. When he first told me I didn't quite believe him. But now you, using seventh grade master class with so efficiency, breaks all the doubts. It seems your doctor has done a good job there."
His expression hard as if judging me with some contemplation. Is he aware about Jasper's condition?
"Steve..... I..."
"I'm not judging you for your choice, Felix. It's just that I'm as much responsible for his wellbeing too. And I hope you also count that in your responsibility too."
With a soft understanding gaze he advised.
"I know Steve. It's just that he needs more time to accumulate. Moreover Simon is looking after him, so he is in safehands."
My eyes might have shown a glint of guilt as the older male immediately dismissed, "just reconcile with him when it's not too late."
As I nodded, he suggested, "let's see if you get your eighth grade basics with your right hand. But.... don't push yourself!"
Gaze stern, he guided me like an older brother would.
More than half an hour later, we finally stopped, Steve, apparently satisfied with my progress, let me rest. We settled down under the shade of a tree, the Sun had disappeared beyond the horizon, painting the sky with a vibrant hue of purple and orange.
Steve broke the silence first, "you were planning to reveal it, weren't you?"
Guilt overwhelming, I couldn't meet his eyes, and he continued, "Felix, I know it's hard for you and you've endured enough. Even you didn't care about your original identity. And I... being responsible for everyone's safety, couldn't help you on time!"
His voice trembled a bit as if he regretted bringing me in this mess more than anything.
"Steve, I..."
"No, Felix. Let me finish...this should come to an end... we've already covered the Kaisers. Now the king... our father himself is helping us...so that leaves only the Hammonds where the very root is. We need to take action before we regret it."
Silence.
A defining one on that.
Then taking out a finely rolled paper, he handed over it to me.
"This is the first final step towards the end. Queen Hammond...trusts you the most. She treats you as her own son....even though she knows very well you're not. So you'll be the best person to hand it over to her. Talk to her. Comfort her and make it as calm as possible. She needs it...if...if something goes wrong I'm always here to handle it." Voice just above a whisper, Steve advised me.
"I'll try my best." Determined, I assured him.
When I made it back to the safehouse again, the last bit of daylight had already vanished, merging the surrounding in the shadows of the forest. The lights in the kitchen were on, that meant she was already working on her treats. Not disturbing her, I decided to have a warm bath first, to let my mind settle down first, it was going to be an emotional rollercoaster later, but I had this feeling inside me that I'll succeed.
As I stood at the door of the kitchen, I was amazed that she actually managed to prepare dinner earlier and was already getting ready to prepare the treats.
Turning back to me, she gestured, "don't just stand there! Come here."
I was genuinely surprised that she invited me in her sacred place where she seldom allowed anyone.
Passing a big bowl of flour, raw eggs splattered over it and a whisk, she gestured again, "mix it."
And I just stared at her, shocked. She also stared back, clearly concerned.
"what's wrong?"
"I can join you?"
Still surprised, I asked only to confirm if she actually wanted me to do it.
With an airy chuckle, she nodded. And I with a wide grin, joined her in the amazing adventure of making desserts.
Approx three hours later when we were done with the whole procession, it was already past dinner time. So first we decided to have dinner, which passed in silence as we both were tired and wanted to save as much energy as possible for the cleaning and keeping everything in order. Our hands and minds worked in synchronisation, mom washed, I dried and kept all of them in their designated shelves and when we were finally done with the cleaning, mom took more patience to teach me the covering up and boxing the delicious treats we made together.
A simple birthday cake in a much bigger cardboard box, cautiously tucked in to avoid any tilting. The little strawberry cupcakes, carefully settled in their small cups so they don't get mashed up against each other. Surprisingly mom didn't make the chocolate flavoured cupcakes this time, cause she insisted me doing it. Shocking, right?
As I nervously checked the chocolate cupcakes again and again, mom assured me, "don't worry! They're just as fine as you!"
"Mom, I've never stepped in a kitchen before, you know that. Let alone making something edible! I might've just wasted the flours and the chocolate!" I frustrated out.
"My dear, why would you think like that?!" She gestured.
"Cause that's just happened!"
"Okay, let them be. You can't undo that. However they've turned out we'll know, once we taste it!"
As I stared at those again, mom shoved me out of the kitchen, "your gaze won't change anything! Just go wait for me in the living space."
Barely one minute later, mom came out of the kitchen, munching on one of my creation, holding another on a plate. Giving me the plate, she encouraged, and I observed her reaction on what she was already eating, her eyes probing, still enthusiastically showing that it was fine to eat.
Hesitant, I took the plate, she settled beside me on the couch, minutely watching over my reaction as I took one bite, deliberately munching on it slowly. Then it hit my tastebuds, the exquisite taste of rich chocolate, completely melting in my mouth. Eyes widened in surprise, I looked at her, only to witness her all knowing proud smile, as if already conveying - see, I told you!
When we were done with approving my unexpected skill on one thing, a silence engulfed the two of us. For her, it might have felt like the other time when no one is here. For me it felt like a chance, which I must grab. To let her leave. This safehouse, this cage isn't her place afterall. I'll miss her tenderness, her heartwarming gestures, these homemade treats, I'll miss her being the reason of my returning to this house.
But will she miss me when she'll remember everything? When she'll come to know that I've deceived her all along, will she think I'm a bad person? These thoughts almost suffocated me, until I felt a hand on my shoulder.
My eyes might have expressed the turmoil in me, as concerned, she asked, "what happened?"
"Mom, do you miss me?"
As she looked puzzled, I cleared, "I mean when I'm not here. When you can't see me?"
Caressing my cheeks, she ensured that I felt safe no matter what I was going through. Then she gestured, "of course I miss you! Why would you ask something like that?"
"Nothing...just. There is something urgent coming over us... it's not here yet but I can sense it. Mom, can you promise me that no matter what you'll stick to the team, even when I'm not here."
The urgency in my voice alerted her highly.
"Lix, you're scaring me... please tell me where are you going."
Her fingers working almost incoherently as fright settled in.
"No, mom, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be... I'll be just away for a bit. Nothing serious. The others will be here by your side, until your son returns."
My words came out as soothing coaxing and her mind calmed down.
Though she warned me, "don't dare to scare me like this ever!"
With a silly grin, I could only assure her.
As it was getting late, we finally decided to retire to our rooms, tomorrow is going to be a big day. I tucked her in the blanket, she gave me a soft caress on my cheek as if assuring me more than herself. She closed her eyes with an innocent smile, drifting into sleep almost immediately. Watching her peaceful posture, I gave a light peck on her forehead. My way of saying goodbye.
Quite.
Unnoticed.
Then I finally gathered my courage to hand over the paper that I couldn't do directly, just leaving it on the bedside table. A portrait of her son.
Not just a fake one.
Not Felix Chase.
But the real one.
Nicholas Hammond.