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Aziel's weeping was as they all gathered back into the vehicle, needing to head back home.
"I miss my cousins! Why do we have to go?"Aziel's words were stammering, sobs in between each word.
"I'm going to be late for work!" Jared swerved onto the highway, leaving the other cars and transport trucks on the highway far behind.
"And this is the day you're going to die," Arlana thought, fingers digging into the dashboard, all else forgotten save the will to live one more day.
***
ARLANA MADE HER WAY down the stairs, suddenly dizzy. She reached for the wood-panelled wall to steady herself as there was a second knock on her door.
"Come in," she called out between waves of nausea.
"Are you okay?" Lachlan crossed the threshold quickly, drawing her against him as his hand smoothed a strand of hair away from her neck. "How long have you been back home? If I had known, I would have stopped by sooner." Lachlan looked deep into Arlana's eyes, "Does Rivkah know you've returned?"
Arlana shook her head "No," placing a hand on Lachlan's chest to put some distance between them. Instead of taking her cue, Lachlan placed his hand on hers, holding her hand against the hammering of his heart.
"You look pale. Come, sit down, and you can tell me all about it."
Resting his hand on Arlana's hip, Lachlan guided her to the couch, before taking a seat at her side.
Where to begin? Arlana's thoughts were hazy, jumbled with emotion and Lachlan's nearness was certainly not helpful. rather, distracting. Lachlan didn't seem to notice he was the source of Arlana's scattered thoughts.
"I returned two days ago. Honestly, I just needed time alone to process the trip," Arlana twisted the tip of her hair in between her fingers. "I'm not avoiding Rivkah...it's just..."
Arlana looked away, thankful Aziel just then entered the room, a welcome distraction.
"Hi, Lachlan!" Aziel waved at the older man before scooting on his mother's lap.
Arlana instinctively placed a hand over her womb, involuntarily protecting her unborn child. Lachlan raised an eyebrow but chose not to comment.
"Hello Lad," Lachlan reached over to tousle Aziel's curls. "How was your trip?"
"It was great! I got to see my cousins again, but then we had to leave. I miss them so much!"
"We will be going back soon," Arlana rubbed her son's back, then turned to Lachlan. "Grandpa doesn't have long now."
"Aziel, how about you play for a bit so your Mamma and I can have a little chat?"
"Oh okay, but will you play with me after?" Aziel's dark eyes searched Lachlan' face.
"Oh aye! Just give us a few minutes, is that a deal?"
Aziel nodded, then bounced off his mother's lap, seeking out his Lego.
"What happened?" Lachlan held Arlana's hand, using his thumb to stroke mesmerizing circles on the top of her hand.
"Well, as you know, my grandfather is dying - that is why I left. The doctors are saying it will be soon," Arlana swallowed hard.
Lachlan had never experienced death first hand. An "I'm sorry," seemed so inadequate.
"I'm here now," Lachlan murmured instead, his voice a soothing lilt.
"Thank you."
Arlana meant it, comforted.
"Why don't you start at the beginning and tell me all about it?"
Lachlan listened intently as Arlana told him how Jared had mocked her for favouring the Jews, how he believed Palestine had the right to Israel and the Jews were really just converted Turks. Arlana ended with how Adelaide had gotten angry, saying the Hebrew language didn't even exist and then how she had made bacon for lunch and they'd watched as Arlana slipped up.
Arlana bit her lip, "I feel like they set me up and I failed miserably. What am I to do now? Do I just walk up to Rivkah and tell her what I did? What if Josiah returned while I was away? He will be so ashamed of me."
Lachlan understood. Josiah wasn't a bulky man, but he held a spiritual weight. His presence in the room could be intimidating, especially after you'd sinned. Yes, Lachlan totally understood her dilemma. It was clear the two days away had been an emotional and spiritual roller coaster ending with her stumbling.
"It's only bacon, Love, and I heard that once you stand beneath the chuppah, the past is forgotten. It is as if it never existed. I think you are safe," Laclah hid a grin, but a dimple danced on his cheek.
Arlana was really trying to follow through but the struggle was very real.
"I honestly don't think you need to confess this small lapse to Josiah or his mother. Give yourself a break - you've had a rough few days." Lachlan leaned forward, still holding her hands in his, "They don't need to know you're back and look, I'll stick around."
"It's not as simple as that, but thank you," Arlana explained, overwhelmed.
Lachlan raised an eyebrow.
"Your family doesn't take you seriously now? Is that it? Oh, Arlana, you didn't tell them about..." Lachlan's words hung between them. "So really, they likely don't even know the seriousness of what Adelaide did."
Arlana pulled her hands out of Lachlan's.
"I'm pregnant."
Lachlan sat back, shock mirroring on his features. A baby did change things. His eyes rested on Arlana's stomach before he brought his thoughts back to the present. The baby Arlana carried was a Jew and she had fed Josiah's child bacon. Pork. That which God called an abomination. Now Lachlan understood.
"Arlana," Lachlan breathed, making her name sound like the most beautiful name in the world. "It'll be okay. Everything will be forgiven and I'm certain that includes the baby. You are part of each other right now and that forgiveness will cover both of you..."
Lachlan could only imagine Josiah's reaction if he found out - or Shaul's.
"It's our secret," Lachlan pulled her close to him, resting his hand on her womb.
Protective.
Arlana leaned against Lachlan, savouring his strength. She never intended Lachlan to be the first to know about the baby - even Aziel didn't know he was finally going to be a big brother. It didn't matter now. Lachlan would keep her secret. Arlana placed her hand gently on top of his, both resting on her stomach and sighed,
"Thank you for keeping my secret... So, what about you? What's your plan for the next few days?"
Lachlan shifted slightly, adjusting both of them.
"I called a coworker to cover for me for the week. I wanted to be here for you when you returned."
Arlana looked into Lachlan's deep blue eyes, "Wow, thank you. That really means a lot to me."
Lachlan didn't reply, but simply lowered his head and kissed the top of Arlana's head. Words weren't necessary.
"So your brother has no idea about you and Josiah? Are you planning on telling him? Sounds like it won't go over well," Lachlan was stating the obvious.
"I don't think any of my family will be too impressed. I honestly didn't realize how anti-Semitic they are."
"Are you having a change of mind?"
"It's too late for that now. It's too late for everything, Lachlan. What is done is done. I need to let Rivkah know I am back before someone else sees us and word gets back to her."
Arlana looked away, refusing to look into Lachlan's smouldering blue eyes. Her neighbours may be few and far between, but in a small town, gossip spreads like wildfire.
"Why put yourself through this? You are from different worlds. If you go through with this, it sounds like you will be shunned by your entire family. What of Aziel? How will that affect your son?"
Was Lachlan playing the devil's advocate? Those thoughts had kept Arlana awake at night. No, that is how it already was. She was no family favourite. Besides, at least now she belonged - belonged to a family who actually wanted her. Josiah, well, he must have wanted her to...surely he had a good reason for staying away for so long.
"At least agree to reconsider," Lachlan wouldn't let the matter rest.
"Are you almost ready to play with me?" Aziel came to the rescue.
"Absolutely. Let's head out to the backyard," Lachlan stood, looking down at Arlana for a moment before following her son into the golden sunlight, his broad shoulders silhouetted in the doorway.
With Lachlan playing with Aziel on the lawn, Arlana joined them, sitting on the porch swing. Peels of laughter filled the air as they chased each other.
"Tag!" Aziel didn't hesitate, you're it!"
"You have to let me catch you sometimes!" Lachlan chuckled.
Aziel was unexpectedly fast. The child shrieked with peels of laughter.
"Too fast!" Lachlan protested, causing Aziel to laugh even harder.
Falling down in mock exhaustion, Lachlan shielded his eyes from the sun, groaning when Aziel threw himself onto Lachlan's chest.
"There's no way you'd ever be able to catch me!" Aziel looked up into Lachlan's eyes, his eyes sparkling.
"Hey, I have an idea. If your mother is okay with it, how about we go out for some ice cream?" Lachlan propped himself up on his elbow, looking over at Arlana. "We could stop by and let Rivkah know you are back and invite her to join us."
Arlana nodded. It was a good idea and truth be told, she liked the idea of having Lachlan at her side when she went to see her future mother-in-law again. Rivkah's pale eyes had the uncanny ability to see through her and she didn't want Rivkah to see how much she was struggling.
Brushing grass off his pants, Lachlan reached out a hand to Aziel.
"Let's go. Just don't let it spoil your supper," he winked in comradery.
Arlana ran her fingers through her wind-swept hair, readjusting her tichel as she joined Lachlan and her son. Together they walked the short distance to Lachlan's car.
"Oh my dear, come in! I am so happy to see you've returned!" Rivkah flung open the front door upon spotting Arlana
Arlana swallowed, suddenly feeling guilty for her hesitation in letting Rivkah know she'd returned.
The older woman embraced her, holding Arlana's face in both hands, "You are well?"
Arlana nodded as Rivkah turned to Aziel, enveloping him in a warm hug.
"There's my boy! I've missed you so much!"
Clearly, Aziel also missed Rivkah, holding her tight with both arms.
"I'm back now so you don't have to miss me anymore."
Rivkah smiled, her eyes sparkling, "Sweet boy. Come in! You too, Lachlan."
"Actually," Lachlan ran his hand through his hair, "I was thinking of going out for ice cream and would love for you to join us."
Rivkah glanced from Lachlan to Arlana. Of course. They couldn't be seen alone, so Rivkah would gladly chaperone and silence any busy-bodies who may see them together.
"Thank you. I'd love to join you."
Smiling, Rivkah held out her hand for Aziel as they made their way back to the car.