#SDFKJGHSDFKJHGKJFDHGKJ

[draslihanxfahri-bailey]

In spite of a handful of worries and concerns that have coursed through her veins like blood concerning the building, there was one thing that Aslihan was the utmost certain about: Elijah did not nor could ever repay her. In fact, she couldn't imagine trying to ask him for such a thing. And, if he were to insist it quite heavily, all she could ask of him was to continue being the marvelous family man he has become and to continue pursuing his dream of having his own recording studio, all the while giving himself more grace. There wasn't anything else she could nor would ask of him, even if he tried to persist otherwise. For the past year, she has loved the man. For the past three years, she has supported him and cared for him. And she was more than ready to continue the tradition. Of course, she did wonder as to what it was that made him stall. Aside from how busy the past five months have been, whenever she would look at him, she could tell that there was something that held on to him. Something that, she believed, was also helping to halt him from making the next big step forward. What it was, however, she didn't know. Nor has she tried to press him. The last thing she wanted to risk doing was hurting her boyfriend with her questions. But, perhaps she should try to ask them, soon. Maybe a night when it can be just the two of them. She'll have to figure that out.

Yet, no matter what it was or what could be filling his thoughts or stalling his hand, she was here. She was right by his side. And even though she questioned what, she hoped, was a minor thing; She could never question his love for her, not again. After beating the odds months ago and coming back together, coming back to being the team they've spent awhile being and working on rebuilding that to make it stronger, Asli was certain that she could never doubt his affections for her again. And she hoped he felt the same way.

Now, it was no secret that the curator was horrendous at making time to take a break from her own work. The woman always ready to continue working for as long as possible, to go above and beyond her work. She could always take a break later, after all. Yet, when it came to Eli and with Alex? She was much more attentive, more eager to take care of them and make sure that they make the most of their breaks. That they're getting what they need from them and that it makes them happy. So, even though she was still rusty, she was ready to play for him after his request. And, what made it all even better, was having the girls there. In any other moment or scenario, she would've been nervous. Terrified of making a fool of herself, something that she truly hated doing and tried hard not to. But with her family? All she could feel with them was confidence, and excitement. Excitement that they might like and notice any improvement that her self-critical mind couldn't.

As she began to play, she glanced over at Eli. Her smile growing as the recognition crossed his features. Sure, it was a rather simple tune. Yet even a simple song could hold a great impact on a person. And that was quite evident with her boyfriend, how pride pooled in his eyes and causing a bright smile to appear on her lips as she finished the song. Alex clapped once she was done and the woman blushed at the man's words. "Oh, hush," she giggled, her heart melting at the kiss. "I promise, I'm working on another song as well. I just want to get more practice in before playing for you lovely audience." Glancing at her older daughter, she kissed the top of her head and placed her hand on her back, her thumb tracing softly as her head rested against Eli's shoulder and her other hand taking sleeping Rhia's hand. Alex thought for a moment before, slowly, she began to play a few keys of The Parting Glass. The little girl looking over at them and smiling sheepishly. 'I really like when Uncle Nate sings the song for me, so I wanted to learn how to play,' the seven year old explained. Causing her mother's smile to grow in a warm beam. "And you played so beautifully, my love," she said. "He would be just as proud of you as we are right now." ||📜@elifalvey

There were still fleeting moments where Elijah didn't feel as though he deserved Aslihan's kindness, like all of her love and generosity was clearly meant for someone else and had made a wrong turn somewhere and ended up with him instead. How couldn't he feel that way? When he'd been given this grand opportunity without so much as having to lift a finger, and then two months later, he nearly walked? When she accepted him back into her life and her home with open arms, nudging him back towards his goals and their future? He was meant to repay her, to prove to her that this investment — not only in this project, but in him — was worth it. Instead, he stalled. And while Rhiannon was to blame in the most loving way for part of his hesitance, he knew that their newest addition to the family couldn't shoulder all of it. It was him. He was stalling, of his own accord, because the reality of moving on was somehow still too much to bear. Needless to say, now was one of those moments. Because even though he was dragging his feet, way behind on his plans, she was still right here. Telling him exactly what he needed to hear. She had a talent for that, he'd come to realize — loving him in the way that he was meant to be loved. Regardless of whether or not he thought that he deserved it, he had to admit that much. He could only hope that she felt his love in all the same ways.

Fiddling with the words inside his mind, he decided to let the topic drop; he knew that Aslihan was wholeheartedly prepared to soothe every worry in his head, thus any argument he could possibly make would be lackluster in comparison. He'd believe it, for now — until he was buried in paperwork again and overwhelmed, in due time. "That's what I was hoping you'd say," he replied at her agreement, excitement pooling in the pit of his stomach at the prospect of watching her play. He stood from his chair and made his way over to the piano, carefully sitting down on the bench beside her and readjusting the baby in his arms. She was sound asleep, only fidgeting a little behind closed eyes, but he was sure that would change in a moment — he was fine with that. Growing up with him as a father, she'd have to get used to the sound of piano keys anyway. He found himself giggling at her dramatics, biting back a smile as she started. He recognized it instantly. In fact, it was difficult not to. It was one of the first pieces that his father had taught him to play properly, before he deemed teaching him was too challenging and passed the honor along to an actual instructor instead. As simple as it was, he loved it. "Well, I'll be damned. Showstopping doesn't even begin to cover it, love — actually, I think you're better than me," he complimented as she finished, nothing but pride behind his eyes. He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her temple and as he pulled away, he gently tapped Alex's shoulder on the opposite side of her. He encouraged, "Go on then, bug! Your turn — you gotta play me something next, hm? Show me what you know." ( @draslihanxfahri-bailey )