Allowing them a few moments to enjoy their embrace, Zhe Yan and Mo Yuan quickly set about checking Ye Huas vital signs and overall health. Thanks in very large part to Mo Yuans cultivation, he would definitely survive his resurrection, but he would need to cultivate more energy for himself eventually . What Mo Yuan had given him was enough to get by and even cloud jump but with the bell tolling, he knew they would now have to face the world and a mountain of questions, so forcing her off him, Zhe Yan then assisted him to sit up.
"His eyes were still shimmering as they remained on her face and for a moment more, he merely sat staring at her while Zhe Yan took to questioning him.
"How are you feeling Ye Hua? Any discomfort?"
Shaking his head, he finally drew his eyes towards him with the faintest of smiles edged in a frown.
"How long have I been gone?" he asked and quickly moving to ask the only question on his mind knowing it had been some time.
The sight of her face had brought back the last of his memories along with the overwhelming love and desire he had always had for her. Whether she was Su Su, Si Yin or now this woman who he was yet to really know, he loved every part of her. But she had aged a little and being a Nine Tailed Fox that did not age as quickly as the rest, he knew it had been far longer than a few hundred years. Still, those eyes were what had always drawn him to her, eyes that held all manner of emotions, including a little fear. They were so soft at that moment, that for a while longer, he could see Su Su there, which surprised him, because he had thought that Su Su was not an active part of her disposition, especially going by what he had heard of her.
Queen Bai Qian was fiesty, temperamental and unforgiving, much like Si Yin who was also brash, rough and outspoken. So his heart was definitely swelling at the the sight of Su Su in those eyes. And as he waited for his answer, his eyes then swept away from her face to the dress, one he had always loved her in and why he had purchased it for it. It was simple yet elegant and on her, she looked beautiful.
"Twenty five thousand years. Its not an overly long time, but long enough for this little miss and your son who also worked just as hard to bring you back." Zhe Yan replied and becoming a little teary eyed himself, though seeing Er Li sitting there beside his uncle and looking overwhelmed and in tears himself, he couldn't hlep but force Ye Huas attention off her and onto the boy.
"Twenty five thou......" Ye Hua almost got out as his eyes finally moved away from her and onto the boy who sitting partially hidden behind his mother.
Er Li had been quietly revelling in his mothers joy. She was the only person in his world that he loved without question and the only one he would have gladly given his life up for if she had asked him to. And for centuries he had watched her battle the long lonely years stoically and always with a smile, expecially for him. But that cloudiness behind her soft gaze had finally lifted and rather than force himself in between them which is what he wanted to do, he instead sat back to revel in her happiness while also furtively eyeing his father with mounting interest.
Now that his eyes were open, that likeness to his uncle he had seen the first time he saw his fathers face, was never more evident than it was then. With tears glistening in his eyes and a look of tender love for his mother being the only emotion he could see, he immediately noticed the similarities between the two men. His uncles eyes were just as soft and always looked to be on the verge of tears, that was how he saw them and his fathers eyes were no different. It was one thing to look alike, but the they were both highly expressive men who could in a heartbeat allow that emotion to the fore regardless of who was there.
Only the moment his eyes landed on him, then Er Li saw something else in those soft brown eyes that took his breath away. There was a slight tint of black at the edges that slowly began to swirl. He had noticed this in his uncles eyes that day he had arrived to find his uncle sitting next to his fathers body and looking a little lost.
And for a moment, Ye Hua was looking just as lost. He had already surmised that Er Li was a little older, but this child sitting behind his mother was a big boy, not that little baby he had left behind and if Er Li was sensing his rising emotions then he was also sensing his. A sharp intake of breath was heard by all of them as Bai Qian slowly shifted out of view so his father could get a good look at him.
In that chaotic turmoil, Ye Huas spirit felt the memory of his sons presence like a whiplash against wet skin. His son had been with him the entire time, his soul actually felt the memory of him as he briefly lost himself to a child whos eyes held a deep wisdom and strength that made him want to cry. He may not have known that he had this memory implanted on his soul, but Er Li definitely felt that connection they had made in that place, begin to pull fiercely on his own soul. It was painful and exceptionally powerful and for a moment longer, the two merely sat staring at each other as if waiting for something but not understanding what exactly.
"Er Li, greet your father......" Bai Qians soft voice beckoned him closer while Mo Yuans hand lightly landed on his shoulder to coax him forward having thought the boy was afraid.
And as if a dam had burst its surroundings, Er Li was quickly shuffling forward as Ye Hua dove forward to snatch at him before he could lower himself into a deep respectful bow. Er Li had rehearsed his greeting over and over again in his mind for days. His bow would be deep and long, while the words he had painstakingly composed and practiced sat on the tip of his tongue ready to welcome home a father he thought he might have to learn all over again.
Only the moment Ye Hua lunged forward to snatch him into his arms only to then drag him into his lap for an embrace , then every word and meaningful bow were thrown out with the harsh explosion of air as he burst into tears instead.
Weeping against his shoulder, Er Li was feeling both overwhelmed and embarrassed by his outburst when he had tried so hard to remain stoic and upright among these High Gods. Only the moment his fathers arms enfolded his body into a cloak of warmth, then the tears rained down his face, while his hands lost themselves behind his fathers back where he clung on tightly.
Ye Hua too was feeling just as emotional. He had purposely avoided Er Li the day he died so he would not have to see the sweet smile edged in fear. Er Li may have been a baby when he left, but his son was far far older of mind. Only this child that was crying in his lap and holding on to him for dear life, looked and felt like a child regardless of his much older state. This was the kind of child he had hoped he would return to and it was obvious that even though his brothers knowledge and magical assistance may have forced him to grow up far too quickly, the tears and most childlike way he was clinging to him said his mother had raised him as a child by allowing him to be one.
Internally Ye Hua was screaming in both joy and disappointment for not being there for him. No child should have to go through what his son did, and though he knew it would make him stronger and their own bond was strengthened in that place, he couldn't help but feel immense anger at the Heavens for putting him through so much, too soon.
"I'm sorry Er Li....." his soft voice whispered against the side of his face.
Shaking his head emphatically, Er Lis grip on him tightened.
"Welcome home father....." he sobbed pitifully against him and not knowing what else to say to him.
"Home......" Ye Huas voice trailed off at a word that he had not known for so long, that for a moment he wondered where exactly that was.
The Celestial Palace had all but turned their back on him while that island he had taken her to, was no longer their sanctuary, not when his Grandfather, Ci Hang and his third uncle knew of it. That left nowhere for him to call home, because as yet, he had not connected with his brother and with a wife he had to learn all over again, suddenly the pain of distance began to cloud his mind as he buried his head into his sons hair.
Sensing his fear, doubts and apprehension, Mo Yuan quickly moved forward to place a hand on his shoulder.
"Ye Hua. You have just returned from a difficult journey. There is plenty of time for you to make future decisions, but right now, allow those who care deeply for your welfare to surround you." he said gently as Bai Qian also moved forward to lay her hand on his other shoulder.
Looking up, Ye Huas eyes then found his brothers which then held as a much deeper understanding passed between them. In his arms was his son, his wife was at his side, and beside them was his brother, a man he'd had doubts about. After all, the gossip about him and her had scattered with every wind known, so the doubts had lingered long after Mo Yuans soul pieces had eased his fears.
But in those eyes now, was centuries of love for them both, but nowhere in those dark misted eyes, was anything that could give root to the fear that he may have taken off him in his absence. What he saw in those eyes, was his brother, father, guardian and protector in everything including the sanctity of their marriage. Ye Huas heart swelled with love for him at that moment and though he recognized Zhe Yan and briefly acknowldged him with a nod, his eyes returned to rest a while longer on his brother, before gently pulling Bai Qian back into his arms so he could hold and relish in his family.
With a quick look at Zhe Yan, who immediately read the change in atmosphere, both men rose before quietly leaving the small family to themselves. It was in all a beautiful reunion for all of them, and though Mo Yuan expected the arrival of Celestial emissaries wanting an explanation for the bell, he instead took Zhe Yan back to his own bed chamber for a quiet celebratory drink and chat to discuss the upcoming days and what they would mean for his brother, his wife and child and what they could do to assist him back into either his old life or a new one.
______
The Celestial Heavens
Haode sat with his head bowed and his eyes closed. He had been in his study all morning quietly going over a report that had arrived only three days before. One that was unsigned, but having thoroughly investigated the possibility by personally visiting the Sea of Innocence.
Ye Huas star had returned to the night sky three days before, and only a few hours after learning of it, then the report had suddenly appeared on his desk.
Immediately his mind had gone to Mo Yuan because if anyone knew how to bring back a scattered soul, it was him. nd if anyone was going to bring his Grandson back, then it would be his twin brother. Quietly he revelled in the knowledge that the Heavens were giving him back, and he had said nothing at all to anyone, not even Di Jun. Instead he had retired himself to his chamber to await the tolling of the bell of Kunlun, and the moment the very first thundering reached his large study, then he was on his feet and quickly making his way towards Taichen Palace to collect Di Jun who was already preparing to leave.
"He's back...." Haode whispered in both awe and elation.
"Yes he is. But I suggest you prepare yourself. We may face opposition." he warned him and he meant it.
Because he knew just as well as Haode did, if anyone was going to decline their visit, it would be Mo Yuan.