~Aiden~
Leaning back in my office chair,I let loose a long sigh as I reflected on my brother-in-law‘s words. Brad was right. My daughter needed a maternal figure in her life - preferably a giantess like Irina. At just six, Lily was already showing signs that she might inherit her late mother‘s towering stature.
The idea that Lily might grow up to be a giantess weighed heavily on my heart. The challenges she would face in a world that still wasn't quite ready to accommodate someone of such proportions were daunting, to say the least. Between my own demanding work schedule, Irina’s passing, and Brad living over 200 miles away, I struggled to comprehend how I could possibly raise her well.
My thoughts drifted back to Eden, who had managed to maintain her humanity despite the overwhelming attention of her celebrity status and the sheer physicality of her mere existence. If anyone could offer guidance, it would be her. The idea grew in my mind like a seed planted in fertile soil, and I found myself contemplating Brad’s words with a newfound seriousness. Perhaps my budding friendship with Eden could blossom into something more, offering Lily a mentor, a role model, and maybe, just maybe, a second mother figure to lean on.
Reaching into my pocket, I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my decision settle upon my shoulders as I pulled out my phone and brought up Eden’s contact info.
I hovered over Eden's number, the phone feeling unusually heavy in my hand. The gravity of the situation was impossible to ignore. This would be far more than just asking for another interview or a quick off the record chat. It would be me, stepping out of the professional sphere and wading into the murky waters of a deeply personal connection - with a woman who was, quite literally, the world’s biggest pop star.
My brow furrowed as I contemplated each method of communication. A call felt too intimate, too immediate. A text, on the other hand, allowed for some buffer, some time to consider my words before they were sent.
Settling on the latter, I began to type out a message, my thumbs moving slowly as I meticulously crafted each word. It had to be perfect - casual yet sincere, expressing my gratitude for her kindness the night before without coming on too strong. After a few false starts, I settled on something simple.
"Hey Eden, hope you're doing well after last night's concert. Great you could stay and talk. Too bad we were interrupted. If you ever have time to chat more about... well, life in general, I'd love to continue our conversation. Take care."
Doubts swarmed my mind the moment I hit send. Eden‘s schedule was packed tighter than the stadium at last night’s concert. The woman was probably on her way out of the country at that very moment, embarking on the overseas leg of her world tour. Even if she did have time between legs, it was beyond wishful thinking to suggest that she’d take an hour long detour to some hick town in the middle of nowhere just to visit her... acquaintance? Friend? Date?-
My rumination was interrupted by the ringing of my phone. Pulling the device back out of my pocket, I glanced at the caller ID. My heart skipped a beat - then took off at a Gallup.
“Incoming Call: Eden Joiner”