I repress my grin when I check to see who's calling me. Zipporah's caller ID onscreen lifts my spirits on this smothering August day. I excuse myself from the group of negotiating men and hurry into Grandfather's office to answer, "Hallo, Edelweiss! How'd the check up go?"

"Tschau, Edelweiss!.. Um.. It went well... But... you know how we've been monitoring for any signs of preeclampsia?"

I gulp, "Ja."

"My blood pressure reading was higher than normal, and the urine test for protein read high too..."

"Is it..."

"She hasn't confirmed anything, but she did say it could be. I'll go back in one week to have everything checked again. Until then I'm to take it easy and keep myself monitored and record blood pressure." I hiss, squeezing both my eyes shut.

"Zipporah, are you okay? Is the baby okay?"

"He's healthy, I'm just peachy if not sore as usual. I feel fine."

"Zipporah, love, be honest."

"I'm calm. You said not to worry and distress myself. We both need to be optimistic, alright?"

It's hard to disregard the downcast tone of her voice, so I continue probing; "What's on your mind?"

"I'm calm, but my family... I haven't seen them since January. I just want to see them. I miss them and they miss us."

"... I have to go, Zipporah. Be safe and stay in bed."

"Of course. I'll see you soon. I love you, Basil." I smile bitterly.

"I love you more, Edelweiss." We hang up and I brace myself against the wall for a minute. With reluctant steps I return to the negotiations. Just when we believed things were returning to normal. We hadn't been attacked or harassed at all since that doll incident. Family relations are mending and improving, even. The rest of the meeting drags by because my mind turns consistently to Zipporah. Grandfather naturally recognizes that I'm not paying attention and he takes me to his office immediately after the meeting wraps up. 

"Where was your mind, Basil? It's not good to zone out during meetings." 

"Zipporah called." 

"And? Is this about her check up?" 

"Yes. Her blood pressure and protein were unnaturally high. Since those are symptoms of preeclampsia, and she has history of it in her family, it's... likely that it could be." 

"Did she sound upset?" 

"She was calm, but it was easy to tell that she was scared." 

"Hmm... what else did she say?" 

"She spoke about her family and how much she misses them. Zipporah wants to see them. More than before." He sighs and I rest my head in my hands, maintaining what composure I have. 

"It's natural to want to be near family as the due date draws near. Floretta and Felicie both wanted their family, particularly their mother, around. With this development, keeping Zipporah here could stress her more than what's healthy. If you go back to America then at least she has family and friends and there's almost no publicity." 

"Would it be possible?" 

"For her, yes... you? It would be harder to arrange." 

"I could still work! RI's there too!" 

"Correct! But there are things that you need to take care of which may only happen here at headquarters." 

A distraught silence darkens the room. I clear my throat, "My priority is Zipporah and the baby." 

With a long sigh he straightens up, "Go and ask her first. We can at least get her over to her family. It'll take some pulling strings but I'll work out something for you to get over there too." 

"Thank you so much, Grandfather!" I almost forget to bid him goodnight as I haphazardly grab my keys and briefcase, running out of the office. At least Grandfather will try. He understands. 

I get home and take the stairs three at a time, whipping into the bedroom. Zipporah. As I had hoped, she's resting in bed, sitting up and watching television. It is apparent that she has been sobbing, "Basil!" I stride over to her and she welcomes me into a tight, emotional embrace. I melt onto my knees beside the bed, keeping my arms tightly wound around her. 

"You were crying..." I gulp, burying my head in her chest as she holds me. 

"I was. My hormones are out of whack again, hehehe..," She tries to lighten up but she starts crying again, "Ach! Basil, what if I do develop preeclampsia? I was so hopeful that I'd break the family curse!" 

I lift my head and slowly rise, cupping her face in my hands and wiping away the tears, planting the softest, most tender kisses over her cheeks and lips. This helps her calm down and she relaxes, leaning into me. 

"Zipporah, I want us to go to your family. You need them, even if it's nothing. Besides, it'd be calmer than here. Stress won't do any of us any good." 

"What about our duties and Rask Industries?" I smile. 

"Grandfather will help us out. Do you want to go home?" 

"This is my home now, Basil," She remarks a little playfully but nods, "Yes, I want to go home to my family." I nod and we embrace again. 

"Then we'll go." 

Please comment and vote! Thanks for reading!

~Uilosris