Interlude 2

It was just another morning at the clinic.
 
As Ceros and Baro were working on the usual morning tasks and preparing the ingredients for the day, Zayn was baking bread for the kitchens, softly humming to themselves. Vola was with them, a helping hand. Abigail, who just finished her morning coffee, waited patiently for the bread that Zayn was working on to be put in the oven, and she gently called out to them.
 
"Zayn, my dear, can I talk to you for a second?"
Zayn looked up from the oven, confused, "Huh?"
 
She makes a "come here" motion with her finger, prompting Zayn to follow her as she walks out to the alley for a more private conversation. Zayn looks at everyone, who all seem just as confused as Zayn is. They wipe the flour off their hands and onto their apron as they walk outside to meet Abigail.
 
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No, dear, you didn't. I just want to make sure it stays that way." Abigail says softly.
"What do you mean?"
"The gossip papers. Congratulations on the new name, by the way- but about you and Bella-"
"We already spoke about it." Zayn gently interrupts, "She was worried I was going to leave her because of it. I told her I wasn't going anywhere, because I'm not. I'm not afraid to admit that either."
"Oh good, that saves me from having to tell you that if you ran like a coward and broke her heart, I'd beat you with my shoe." She says this a little too casually.
"Ma'am, the last thing I'd want to do is hurt her."
 
Abigail looks at them, hearing the conviction in their voice and their dedication. She nods, satisfied with this response.
 
"You're a good person, Zayn. And from what I've come to understand, a good partner. You two deserve happiness." She waves her hand to shoo them back inside, "I won't keep you, I just wanted to touch base about that in case you were unaware, but since you two talked about it, that made this much shorter."
"Yes ma'am, thank you." Zayn bows their head to her before walking back to the door.
"And Zayn?" Abigail calls out one last time, "...Be good. To her, to yourself. Be good."
They stop at the doorway, turning to look at her with a smile, nodding, "I will, ma'am."
 
Zayn walks back inside; Ceros, Baro, and Vola continuing their work as if they didn't stop everything to try to listen in.