An hour later, Olivia was still eating her brunch. She was eyeing the green concoction on the table that was calling out her name.

She hated the drink but everyday, she forced herself to empty the tall glass, afraid to upset her mother-in-law who went the extra mile by sending a copy of the green juice recipe to Jack just so she won't miss a day of 'nourishing' her body.

Reluctantly, she gulped it down, skipping the counting process just so she wouldn't throw up the contents. This was good for health, she conditioned her mind.

As she emptied the glass, Olivia thought that maybe her pregnancy hormones back then explained why she couldn't stand the taste of Queen Isla's green juice; however, after drinking the potion for weeks after her hospitalization, she inferred that it wasn't her hormones, but the bitter, tangy and sweet taste was the real culprit why she wasn't a big fan of it.

Wiping the corners of her lips, Olivia ignored the rambling in her tummy. The sound told her that a trip to the bathroom to empty her stomach's contents would be highly appreciated.

Fortunately, Olivia's resolve was stronger than she expected that she was able to hold her brunch where it should be.

Suddenly, out from the corner of her eye, she saw Shadow step in through the main door and behind her was Eli who looked runway ready with his ensemble of...gray?

"Why are you wearing gray?" Olivia greeted her cousin with a question.

"Because I can't wear black to a wedding, silly." 

"Are we talking about the same wedding?"

Eli replied with a nod and extended his arms for Olivia to take if she wanted a hug, which he knew she would. 

It was just that he also knew how his cousin valued the sanctity of her personal space and he didn't want to evade that by lunging at her.

Basking in Eli's cocoon, the cousins hugged for a little longer, squeezing each other. They didn't need words to say how they missed the other's company. That simple gesture was enough to convey their feelings.

When the cousins peeled apart, Eli spread his arm on a wingspan and twirled on his spot. "How do I look?" he asked.

"Rad." Olivia beamed at Eli, echoing the word he coined with his wardrobe style. The cousins shared a laugh before Eli dragged her out of the mansion and into Uncle Jin's waiting car.

...

On the way to Maxen's cabin, Olivia and Eli chatted. They were halfway through their trip when Olivia raised a question about his latest creations, asking him about the theme, yet again. However, instead of giving her answers, Eli opted to elaborate on where he got the inspiration from.

"Mermaids," he said, shifting in his seat to face Olivia. "I was stuck on an island and woke up in the middle of the night hallucinating about mermaids, so I started sketching."

"That's interesting. Were you alone on the said island?" 

Eli didn't miss the hint of curiosity laced in Olivia's question. So he grinned at her as his response. 

"I was when I arrived." He winked at Olivia and the cousins giggled like highschool girls gossiping about their crush. "Okay, let's stop talking about me, please."

"But I love hearing your stories," Olivia protested, cupping a hand over Eli's.

Olivia had a feeling that if they wouldn't talk about Eli and his adventures, the spotlight would focus on her, which she wanted to take a break from for a moment.

"Trust me, I have a lot to share with you but today's gonna be more about you."

"What about me?"

"I don't know. You look bloated, for starters."

A bell-like laugh echoed in the cabin, and Uncle Jin smiled as he drove through the snaking highway. 

It had been a long time since he heard Olivia laughing ever since her miscarriage, so he was glad to hear his boss loosening up even for a short while.

"It must be Mom's green juice. I've been drinking those on the dot daily."

"Thank goodness it's the green juice and not Maxen filling you up with his seeds."

On cue, the divider in the car rose, giving the cousins their much-needed privacy. They stifled their laughter and Eli mouthed an 'oops' when it dawned on him that there were other passengers in the car.

"We actually started… the bedroom thingy."

"So I was right!" Eli's eyes widened. "Wait, is it safe? Like? Aren't you supposed to heal first or something?"

"It felt right to me."

Eli huffed. He tucked Olivia's loose locks behind her ear, and aired his concern. "Are you using protection? What if you get pregnant again?"

"Getting pregnant doesn't sound like a bad idea, isn't it?" she said in a half-meant joke, wishing to bring back the life she lost. 

It was unfair, and it felt as if she was replacing what she lost by trying for a baby.

"As long as you're ready, Livi darling. Take your time. And just so you're not aware yet, you and Maxen didn't even have to sweat making one."

Olivia laughed. She elbowed Eli who started snorting. "Maxen must have Olympic-medalist swimmers. How could he get you pregnant with that barricade inside you? Who knew if his swimmers got past your IUD even before his bratwurst dislodged it?"

"Eli! The imagery!"

"I know you love it," Eli chuckled.

He peered to his side and saw Olivia nod. He noticed a rueful smile painted Olivia's face as she rubbed circles on her belly. 

It was the same portrait that welcomed him when he flew to Nisia upon hearing her hospitalization.

His heart clenched as the memory flooded his mind.

Knowing Olivia, she would clam up her thoughts and feelings, afraid that no one would listen to her just like when they were younger when she pleaded to everyone that there were monsters haunting her at night.

It was the reason why Olivia was grateful to know Eli would always rally behind her back. 

She didn't need to utter a word, and Eli would know what she felt in a heartbeat. Growing up, Eli stayed beside her at night to ward off the monsters and listened to her.

They didn't talk too much, though. They were swamped with matters revolving their own lives, but when they had a stolen chance to chat, it sure had a lingering effect on the two.

So even when Eli was in the middle of fashion week, where his presence would boost his name in the industry, he didn't have second thoughts. He immediately booked a jet to whisk him back to Nisia where his presence was needed the most.

True enough, as soon as he reached the hospital, and once they were alone in her suite, Olivia flooded the room with her tears, blaming herself for the accident. And just like what he would do whenever Olivia's at her lowest point, he scooped her for a hug, pressing her head on his shoulders.

No comforting words, just a silent promise that he would be a willing shock absorber for all of her buried and unspoken sentiments.