"What do you think of, my dear?" A soft whisper in her ear made her smile and turn towards the calming voice. Her priest, Father Arie John, chaplain-in-residence at their local New York estate church, looked upon her fondly.
Audrianna reached over to caress his strong hand on her shoulder, and squeezed. "Father John, it is so… comforting to have you here." And a surprise, Audrianna thought silently.
"Still." Viktor came upon them both from behind. "There was no need for him to rush over to pay you any attention. She is well and in good spirits, dear Father."
Audrianna rolled her eyes heavenward. She often grew tired of the cat-and-mouse game played between these two. Viktor made no bones about disliking the young priest who often assisted Audrianna on her excursions in visiting charitable institutions abroad. And Arie felt no need to ignore her husband's distaste of him.
Arie kept his eyes on Audrianna. "I merely wished to be soundly reassured in her countenance, good Viktor. In that, a face-to-face meeting is always best."
Arie sat down in the chair beside her that Lincoln had occupied. He held her hand gently. "Now, how are you feeling?"
"Umm." Audrianna glanced surreptitiously over at her husband, whose body exuded waves of menace towards the young man. "I can't say that I hurt anywhere."
Arie was about twenty-seven years old with dark hair, not nearly as black as Viktor's. It was short in a neat style cut above the ears. His eyes were light blue. His nose was smooth, long and straight, but not protruding. He had handsome, rugged features, and a grin that made women lament the Catholic Church.
"Who told you about what happened?" Viktor demanded. Folding his arms, he stood looking down at Arie right beside the priest.
Arie looked up, sighing. "Lincoln told me. I had been calling you, but I am afraid my calls got sent to voicemail." He turned to Audrianna. "I am truly sorry if I have disturbed your recovery." He bent over her, bracing each side of the bed with his arms. "Lincoln was kind enough to send the private jet to pick me up. You look worn out."
"Not at all, I feel fine." Audrianna raised her shoulders up and down as though to prove she was well.
"You heard it from v'e monkey's mouth yourself, she is fine-you may leave," Viktor said.
"Emph, umph!" Elyzabel hit her chest repeatedly with her hand and stifled a short laugh by placing the other hand over her mouth. She waited patiently for her cue to help Audrianna get dressed and ready to leave the hospital.