The Marvelous Elijah’s Return

What did you just say

The sound of her room door opening made Peach raise her head off the pillow and gazed at her mother, standing in the doorway, smiling at her. “Can I come in?” Miss Grace asked cheerfully, closing the door behind her and stepping inside the room.

Slowly, Peach sat up from the bed, hugging her knees as she rested her head on her kneecaps, feeling a sense of sadness welling up within her as she watched her mother approach her with a warm smile and sit down beside her on the edge of the

mattress.

“James made chicken soup for dinner with rice and vegetables.” Miss Grace told her kindly.

Shaking her head slowly, Peach said with a sad smile, “I‘m too full already, Mama.

You should go ahead and eat without me.”

“Peach, you have been in here all day and have barely put much in your stomach. That‘s not healthy!” Miss Grace chided her, gently squeezing Peach‘s hands. One look at her mother and Peach could see her concern clearly written across her wrinkled brows and pursed lips.

The sight made Peach‘s heart clench painfully in her chest, making her realize what her behavior was doing to her mother, so she smiled saintly and said, “Okay, let‘s go.”

The dining hall was quite peaceful when Miss Grace and Peach walked to the table, sitting between Rookie and Ryan.

Suddenly Matt entered the hall, and when James saw him alone, he frowned, mumbling,” Elijah is not joining us?”

Shaking his head slightly, Matt sighed and then said, “He won‘t even answer the door.”

The room fell silent after Matt‘s words and everyone stared at each other quietly for a moment, feeling a mixture of feelings stirring inside them. “Dish some food in a bowl, and I will take it to him,” Peach said, raising her gaze to meet James‘ concerned

ones.

Silently, Miss Grace darted her eyes towards her daughter with a soft expression on

her face.

though she was worried about her daughter

look appearing in her eyes. Giving her mother an encouraging nod, Peach stood up from the seat and picked up the tray that Elijah set before her, mumbling, “The

smile, Peach drewla silent breath and walked away from the table with the tray tightly in

track.

ridiculous to act so scaredly, but the way he was

herself down, Peach knocked softly on the door and waited patiently before

moment passed, and when he didn‘t answer, Peach swallowed softly and said, “I got a tray of chicken soup with rice and

at the food, and mumbled, “I would lie and say it‘s delicious if that would get you to eat,

I guess

sound of the door knob turning interrupted her and Peach looked up with widened eyes

a small smile

desk, and turned around to face

walking away, but as she was about to step past him, Elijah grabbed onto her wrist and pulled her in front of

Peach shrugged, trying to look unaffected by his touch, but she

replied, “James made you some food, so I thought…” A small smile touched Elijah‘s lips as

But Elijah gently grabbed her by her shoulders

brushing a stray curl back behind her ear. “Are you not angry?” Peach whispered, unable to hold back her thoughts anymore. Her question caused Elijah to pause for a moment and drew his hand back as he rested against the chair and asked, “Angry? At who?” Shrugging her shoulders helplessly, Peach

unexpected answer, watching him curiously. At this point, she didn‘t know what she

Peach blinked owlislıly at

down on her lower lip as she eyed him warily. “We should eat before the soup gets cold.”

that had

push the topic of Melina and his relationship further. But she simply smiled when he handed her a spoon and said, “You should also try a bite of it.” Peach nodded her head and took

puzzled expression appeared on Elijah‘s features, and then he chuckled, mumbling, “What?” “You know… it‘s like a question game people use to get to know each other.” Peach explained as she placed another piece of chicken into her

know… Maybe a steak.” Elijah replied, shrugging his

I think I will be a dessert,

Grace felt a sense of relief wash over her as she listened to

risk because he seems

But I pray that he will be good to you… that he

thought, smiling when she heard her