Tess Whittaker
December 23, 2016 8:10 AM
The return of Tess [Tag: Ben] by Tess Whittaker
Tess let out a deep breath as she walked through the corridors of Sonora once more. She’d only been away for a few days, but it seemed like far longer. The world had changed, had shifted somehow, and Tess felt like that slight change was reflected in her. But how, exactly?She’d stood there that morning, wrapped in a towel and staring in the mirror, searching for the outward changes that surely would arise after the recent event. She looked a little tired, maybe, with slight bags under her eyes, and her face seemed a little more relaxed, at peace with the world around her. But other than these superficial changes, she just looked like Tess; the same girl she’d always been. It made no sense, but then she’d smiled at herself, thinking of the little baby waiting for a morning cuddle, and the change became apparent.
And there she was, walking through the corridors: the old Tess, who was also the new Tess. A skip in her step, her confidence re-found, her smile ever-present once more. Tess was happy, properly happy. She was free of the fear and the worry that had haunted her for months, and it showed. Emma was well! Okay, she wasn’t completely better, and would always have to manage her health carefully (even after the third, less dangerous operation in about a year's time) but surviving this second operation had greatly increased her chances of a long and almost normal life. And Tess was just so happy.
A grin came to her face once more as she thought of all the future Emma would have, and wasn’t life just the best?
It was a Sunday, so the school wasn’t as full as life as it was on busy class days. After dumping her bag in her dorm room, Tess couldn’t stay in the room on her own. Where would her friends be? She couldn’t keep this news to herself! She knew they’d all want to know how the operation had gone, especially as they’d had to cope with a scared and distracted Tess the last week or two.
Going down into the common room, Tess was just thinking of trying the labyrinth gardens, or the library (having separate common rooms could be so inconvenient!) when she spotted Ben, which was perfect. Ben had been such a great friend throughout the whole ordeal, as had his family, and he was becoming a very special person to Tess. It was perfect that he would be the first person she would tell and, as she thought about telling someone that Emma was going to be okay, she felt the joy rise up in her again. Running across the common room, she couldn’t help laughing as she flung herself at Ben, arms around his neck. “She’s going to be fine, Ben, she’s okay!”
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The return of Tess [Tag: Ben]
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Ben
December 23, 2016 11:12 AM
Tess! You're back! by Ben
Ben sat in the common room, Not Doing his potions homework. The book laid open on his lap, and he had a quill laying about somewhere nearby (he'd currently misplaced it, but it couldn't have wandered far), and the essay had a few words written anyway. Mostly though, he was thinking and worrying about Tess. Emma's surgery should be done by now, but he'd heard nothing so far and the lack of news was making him start to fear the worst.Then he saw her. Tess! She was back! The book toppled to the floor, completely forgotten as he stood and ran over to her. "Tess! You're back!" he mouth repeated the two thoughts that could currently push through everything else he was thinking. Before he could even formulate the question that weighed most heavily upon him, she was answering it and he wrapped her in a joyful hug, catching her as she flung herself at him, and spinning them both around to dispel the extra momentum without staggering or falling over.
"Oh, Merlin! I'm so happy for all of you!" he exclaimed, trying hard not to choke up and start crying because this was good news.
He pulled back, only enough to look at her, but still touching her, supporting her, making sure she was really there and not a figment of his potions-avoiding imagination. Ben was grinning broadly, relieved and feeling just a bit giddy. Emma was okay. She'd pulled through. This was the best news he'd heard since he found out he was going to be an uncle. "You must be, wow, if I'm through the roof, I can't imagine how you and your family feel. Are you all okay, too?"
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December 29, 2016 1:34 PM
Back, and happier than ever! by Tess
Tess laughed as Ben swung her round, feeling indescribably happy. She’d just known that Ben would be so happy to hear the news: he was a true friend, and he cared about Emma too. His reaction matched just how she felt and, if his hug made her feel a little warm inside, that was brushed aside for now in Emma joy. No doubt she’d be thinking about that later (having a crush was just so exciting and, really, could her life get any better?), but for now she just leaned into his touch, happy to be sharing her happiness with him.“I, yeah, of course we’re all okay, so okay,” she replied not entirely coherently, feeling tears starting to spring to her eyes. It was starting to get to her: the nightmare was pretty much over, and she was feeling a little emotional. Not quite enough to properly cry, but her eyes were definitely wet, although she felt it was more than justified. They were definitely happy tears, though, as the huge smile that seemed to be permanently etched onto her face proved.
“I just can’t quite believe it,” she confessed, wiping her sleeve over her eyes and never letting up on that smile. “I just keep feeling like I should still be worrying, that I should still be ready for the worst, and then remind myself that the worst isn’t...isn’t that anymore.” Even now, when everything had taken such a turn for the better, she still couldn’t bring herself to exactly put into words how close to death her baby sister had come. But the worst that could happen now was simply bad health, a reduced ability to join in with activities. Emma could still have a happy life - she could still have a life, which was more than Tess had dared to hope for so long. And that thought brought a few more tears to her eyes and, okay, she was crying now, but she was also laughing in joy and amazement and just pure relief.
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Back, and happier than ever!
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Ben
January 12, 2017 10:53 AM
Yay! Happiness and joy! by Ben
Ben was grinning so hard his cheeks were already starting to hurt, but it was a good thing because Emma was going to be okay! "Good!" he said happily, glad the rest of the family was doing well, too. He hugged Tess again as she began to cry happy tears, partly because it seemed like the right thing to do and partly so she couldn't see his eyes were getting a little wet, too.He discreetly blinked back the dampness and cleared his throat of emotional clogs before enthusing, "Now she can get big and play with my baby cousin once they're a little older." Ben grinned, imaging his family and hers at a park together, with the two of them pushing their respective babies on neighboring swings. He was pretty sure he'd told her already that his aunt and uncle were expecting, and he was totally sure they'd be glad to come out to the park with Ben's family and have a little playmate for their baby.
Ben pulled back and grinned at Tess more, "Wow, this is great, Emma's gonna get big and have friends and you'll be a great big sister for her. I am just so happy for your whole family! We should get cake!" Nothing said celebration like cake.
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