Last Peace

Blake listened and watched the morning news while Emerald busied in the kitchen with Christine.

St. Morris High School called them on Friday announcing the good news, Christine has been accepted to study in their school and is asked to come pick up her education materials.

Not for Blake but the both ladies were happy for their little success. Emerald decided to bake sweet chocolate cookies as a snack for the day.

Christine helped with the floor and whisked the egg while she focused on the main course.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings loudly and as a maid she ought to check the door. She is the only maid that works during the weekend.

"I will go check the door, hold on" she said and left the kitchen.

She opened the door, since she didn't know the visitors but they claimed to be familiar with everyone in the building, she ushered them in.

It was when they walked into the living room that she used Blake's expression to guess who the visitors were, Shirley's parents.

"Surprised?" Benson smirked scornfully.

"Have your sit if you wish" Blake said, wrapping away the documents lying on the table, Emerald carried them away into his office which was once restricted.

Since the departure of Shirley, everywhere has become trespass-able. No one was sanctioned to stay at a place or restricted.

"Why are you here?" his voice resonated in the room after a brief silence.

They were all seated but the lawyer chose not to sit.

"We are here for something simple, give us back our granddaughter" Benson's wife yabbed.

"Your grandchild? Have you forgotten that your grandchild still has a living father?" Blake questioned steadily not breaking his gaze from the Benson's.

"If you don't want to settle this peacefully, then we will meet in court" Benson scorned.

"You have nothing against me, I have already divorced your daughter and my daughter chose to stay with me. What's your headache?" he gradually became pissed by their annoying attitude.

"Is this your final statement, Mr. Blake?" the lawyer wiggles his brow.

"It can never be otherwise," he said steadily in a courageous stance.

Benson tsk while standing from the armchair.

"I pity you, see you in court" shooting his head as if he is annoyed by something off, he leaves the house with his wife and lawyer.

"Mfs" he snorted in a low tone, and brought his phone out from his trouser pocket.

"Jason, start making preparations," he said.

Emerald was engrossed in taking care of Christine's needs before the school came into session. After tending Christine to a light breakfast, she decided to take some meal upstairs to Blake since he had missed the breakfast.

She wondered why he did not come downstairs even when he was at home.

"He must be busy" she smiled at her thought as she knocked on the door and entered the master bedroom.

Who dares enter here when Shirley is alive?

"Sir..." she stopped halfway soon after she saw Blake shaking continuously on the bed.

"Sir?" frantically, she dropped the tray on the table and rushed over to Blake.

His eyes and mouth were tightly closed as he continued vibrating on the bed.

She placed a hand on his forehead and noticed he was running a high fever.

"Oh no" she quickly tucked the duvet around him and ran into the bathroom. She comes out holding a bowl containing cold water and a white towel.

"Sir, are you okay?" As she spoke, she squeezed the water out from the towel and placed it on his forehead.

He unconsciously gnashed his teeth while exhaling heavily. The situation was getting out of hand and she became afraid.

"Christy! Christy! Who is there?" she screamed wearing a big frown, her eyes were pervading concern.

Soon, Christine rushed into the master bedroom with a maid.

"Aunt Em, what is the problem?" Christine rushed over to her father looking sad and anxious.

"I don't know. He just suddenly contracted fever" she stuttered impatiently as her gaze rolled from Christine back to him.

"I.. I will contact the family doctor right now" the maid informed politely and rushed out of the room.

"Aunt Em, what is going on with dad?". At this point, she did not know whether to take care of the father or console his heartbroken daughter. She managed to squeeze out a warm smile.

"Everything will be fine, darling. I presume your dad must have bathed in very cold water" she said cryptically unsure with her raised brow, Christine exhaled.

"You are really an angel sent to help my family, Aunt Em. I'm really happy to have you here. If not for you, I don't know what my father and I's life will look like" Christine halt, holding back the tear in her eyes from falling. She stared at her sadly without saying a word.

"It's not as if my family is the best at loving each other" Christine said through her sniffle and she began stroking her back tenderly.

"Trust me this time, sweetie. Your father will be fine" she sniffled.

"As far as I'm concerned," she added softly. Christine buried her face on Emerald's chest, nodding affirmatively.

Few hours later, the doctor arrived and prescribed some medication for Blake before leaving. Emerald left Blake in Christine's care before leaving the mansion to get the drugs in the nearby medicine hub.

Emerald returned with the necessary medication and walked into the bedroom holding a glass of water, by this time, Christine had already fallen asleep on Blake's arm.

She smiled, placing the water on the table, then she adjusted Christine properly on the bed before arranging the duvet on them. She stared at the father and daughter for a while.

Suddenly, Blake groaned softly as he tried to open his eyes gradually. She stood from the bed staring at him anxiously.

"Sir, you are awake" her voice was finally filled with hope. He nodded shortly.

"Yeah, what happened?" He sat upright on the bed, and turned to his side. He saw Christine sleeping peacefully though he looked stunned and annoyed but decided to let it slide for the first time.

"First take your medicine" she passed the glass of water to him before ripping the seal of the medicine.

"How are you feeling, sir?" She made a comeback after he took the drugs.

"Hungry?" he raised a brow looking unsure and funny, a small smile escaped from her lips.

"That's good then. I will prepare something for you to eat." she put the medication where it deem fit and every other thing before leaving the room.

Blake smiled and swayed his eyes back to Christine.