40

Lauren Hart
I couldn’t imagine anything so satisfying than having Ryan fast asleep in my arms.
I gently caressed his face with the back of my hand, thinking about what the child had ever done to anybody that he had to go through all the mess. He needed to be free from the evils that were after him. And there was only one person who could do that; Sean, but he too was distributed. I saw the frustration on his face when he left the room.
I gently unwrapped my arms from around Ryan and sat up. After covering him with the duvet and making sure he was comfortable and was not going to wake up, I left the room to look for Sean.
I found him on the balcony of his room, slumped on a cushioned chair with his face stuffed between his palms. His stiff body language could tell how disturbed he was. His disheveled hair told the story of the war that he had been fighting with himself. He hadn’t changed his clothes yet, just his suit jacket was dumped on the floor.
“Sean,” I whispered as I moved closer to him. He flinched all of a sudden as though not expecting anyone to disturb his deep thinking process. He slowly raised his head and peered into my eyes for a second before reverting to his previous position.
“Lauren please leave; I want to be alone.” He mumbled in a gloomy voice. I felt a tug on my heart when I heard his sorrowful voice. He was alone and he needed someone to comfort him, but would not accept it, or maybe he forgot that I was there to make his loneliness disappear.
Sighing, I sat on the chair placed opposite him. However, he asked me to leave but I couldn’t. He didn’t leave me alone in my miserable state then how could I? No matter if he didn’t want to talk to me, I would give him company.
He sensed my presence because he lifted his head and grimaced. “Didn’t I ask you to leave?”
I uneasily tapped my right foot on the floor and biting the inside of my cheek, I crossed my arms and leaned forward.
“Consider me invisible but I am not leaving you alone,” I mumbled sincerely, looking directly into his restless Oceanic eyes. He sealed his gaze on me trying to study my motives.
I thought he would pent out his frustration on me but to my surprise, he sighed and sat straight. “Come here.” He waved his two fingers asking me to go near him.
I stood up without hesitation and approached him. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me on his lap then he nuzzled his face in my neck. It didn’t take long for me to embrace him in my warmth.
“I am worried, Lauren.” He muttered against my neck. I could feel his racing heartbeat. Exhaling a soft breath, I lifted my hand and ran it through his hair soothingly.
“Everything will be fine, Sean,” I whispered. “I know you will come up with something.”
He embraced me firmly and I felt him resting his chin on my shoulder. Frowning a little, I gently pushed him. He avoided looking into my eyes.
“Sean?” I cupped his face to force him to look at me. He again flipped his head making my hands hang in the air. Something was bothering him.
“Se-”
He faced me again. “I have come up with something.” Saying that he dropped his head back on the backrest of the chair then abruptly sat straight, startling me.
“I…I don’t know if it’s even logical or not but I couldn’t think of anything else.” I could feel the restlessness in his voice.
“I am not sure if I’ll be able to pull it off but right now, this is the only thing that can keep Ryan safe. I am still hesitant to talk to anybody about it. I mean what if I am proved wrong? What if-”
I cut off his rambling by again cupping his face. “Sean, what is it? Tell me.” I asked softly.
He gazed at me for while but spoke nothing, then he held my wrist and gripped them a bit tighter as if trying to find some strength to tell me what he had come up with.
“I am thinking about adopting Ryan.”
Stunned at what I heard, my hands which were cupping his face left the touch; my breath hitched; eyes turned wide. My hands which were still in Sean’s grip dropped down.
“I…I…Wow!” I blinked, not knowing what else to say.
He groaned as he gently pushed me off his lap and stood up. He first gripped the railing of the balcony then yanked himself back harshly.
“See, you are startled too.” He rubbed his face frustratingly. “I knew that it wasn’t a good idea. I…I have to think of something else. I mean if you are startled then how will Ryan react? It’ll be too much for him. He will not accept me.” He rambled while running his hands through his hair.
“What? No, Sean!” I rushed to him and held his shoulders. “You have come up with a brilliant idea,” I assured him.
“Are you sure?” He asked in disbelieving surprise.
“Yes, Sean-” Before I could say further, he left my grip and moved back.
“Even if it is a good idea, I am still unsure. Numerous questions are there that are stopping me from making a decision.” He sighed and continued.
“I…What if he doesn’t want to be with me? What if he feels forced. And even if he accepts me as his…his father, will I be able to give him what he deserves? Will I be able to give him the love of a father? What if I fail? His life will be ruined forever; he will never forgive me. And above all, it’s a huge responsibility.”
God, what had happened to him?
I grabbed his hand and led him inside the room and made him sit on the bed. I stood between his thighs and raised his head to make him look at me.
“Sean, don’t be pessimistic. Forget about these ‘what ifs’ and remember one thing, Ryan loves you and will accept you wholeheartedly.” I said and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. I then sat on his right thigh.
“And don’t ever think low of yourself. I have full trust in you. I have seen how you treat Ryan and how strongly you are fighting for him. You have already acquired fatherly traits, you don’t have to be afraid of anything.” I caressed his face gently.
“You are the best guardian he could ever get. I know you will do your best to provide him with your time, care, and love.”
“You seem to think so highly of me.” He mumbled as he tucked the loose strand of my hair behind my ear. “Tell me, Lauren, would you support me in this? Would you help me take care of Ryan?”
I smiled softly. “Even though he isn’t my blood, I feel a strong connection to him. I feel a strong sense of protection towards him. I too want to keep him safe from the evils that are lurking around him, so yes, I am with you in this.”
“Why do I feel like you love him more than me?” He commented playfully and I was glad to see him back to normal now.
“That’s because I do love him more than you.” I teased him by kissing his cheek.
“Well.” He gripped my waist and pressed me to him. “As long as your love doesn’t fade for me I am okay with sharing you with Ryan.”
I seductively wrapped my arms around his neck and inched closer to his face, our lips almost touching. “What will you do if my love ever fades for you?” I whispered, blowing hot breath over his lips.
A sudden squeak escaped my throat when I flipped on the bed with Sean on top of me. He sealed my hands at the side of my face and pecked the corner of my mouth.
“First of all, I will not let the day arrive, and even if it does…I will shower you with more love to bring the sparks back in you. And if it doesn’t work…I will make love to you… again and again and again, nonstop, until you are left with nothing but to fall for me again.”
God, this starving man!
He dipped his head in my neck and glazed his teeth there making me squirm under him. “You will never be able to resist me.” He muttered the truth huskily, showering pepper kisses over my neck. I moaned in response. I could never resist his touch.
He raised his head slowly and placed his lips on mine. I forgot everything and closing my eyes I kissed him back. I responded with equal passion and need. He still hadn’t loosened his grip on my hands. Gradually I felt him leaving my lips and I whimpered when he completely detached his lips. I had already lost my senses.
I snapped my eyes open when I heard him chuckle. “And she says her love might fade for me.”
I squinted my eyes at him but he had his eyes fixed on somewhere else; my cleavage. “I see that you still haven’t changed your gown.” His mischief filled eyes flicked to me. “Want my help?”
Before I could even react he slipped the strap of the gown off my shoulder and that’s when I came back to my senses. I frantically pushed him and sat up.
“Are you out of your mind? Ryan is sleeping in the next room.” I scolded him.
“Exactly! He’s sleeping.” He again grabbed me and pulled me under him.
“Sean.” I rebuked.
“I’ll be quick, I promise.” He whined like a baby.
“Who could tell that you were on the verge of crying a few minutes ago?” I frowned as I slapped his shoulder but he didn’t budge. “God, Sean! Ryan wanted to sleep with me. It’ll be rude if I spend the night with you.”
He scowled a little. “Don’t ruin the mood, Lauren. I need you right now. I promise that I will put you back on the bed with him. Please?” He pleaded.
“Now, who can’t resist who?” I smirked as I glided my finger down his face. I heard a groan that developed in the back of his throat.
“Who said I can resist you? The passion between us is irresistible, darling.” He smirked back, looking into my eyes. “So, are you giving in?”
I sighed dramatically. “Just because I love you.”
This was enough for him to attack my lips. I completely gave in. He had gone through a lot and he too needed relief and comfort. And if I could provide him with that then why not? And above all, how could I resist him when he was the only one I wanted to be touched by?
Within seconds, we both were free from our clothes and lost ourselves in each other.
Sean Peterson
I dressed the sleepy Lauren in my clothes and carried her to the next room, and tucked her in bed beside Ryan. And as the opposite poles of a magnet, they didn’t take long to stick together and snuggled to sleep.
A low chuckle escaped my throat. How cute they both are! I kissed both of their foreheads and left the room. It was already four in the morning. Though after a stressful evening and a passionate night I was tired, I didn’t felt like sleeping.
I opted to shower and relax my mind. Although Lauren helped a lot to calm me down, I was still doubtful of what was I about to do. I took leisure time showering and decided to talk to Ryan before taking any step further. His opinion mattered a lot to me.
I passed my time over my laptop until the sun rose and when it did I dashed to the kitchen to impress my two lovelies with my cooking. And Lauren, she would be cranky if she doesn’t get breakfast after the night.
It was seven in the morning and I was preparing breakfast when I felt a tap on my leg. Frowning, I looked down and found Ryan looking up at me with his sleepy eyes.
“Hey, champ, you are up early. Is Lauren up too?” I turned off the stove before bending on my knees.
“She is still asleep. The smell of pancake woke me up.” He yawned, stretching his arms widely.
“Yeah? First, tell me how did you sleep?” I asked as I ruffled his hair.
“I slept well. I like to sleep beside Lauren.” He mumbled. I like it too, champ. I like it too.
“Thank you, Uncle Sean.” He exclaimed out of nowhere.
“Why are you thanking me?” I questioned, tilting my head a little.
“For bringing me back.” He lowered his head and fiddled with his fingers. “I was missing this place.”
I raised his chin and smiled. “Do you like it that much here?” He nodded his head eagerly.
I guess I could ask him the questions that were bugging me.
“Ryan, what would you say if I told you that I would like to keep you with me forever?” I asked cautiously, calculating every word.
He frowned and I understood that he didn’t understand what I had said. I grasped his shoulders.
“Do you like me, Ryan?”
“I love you, Uncle Sean. You are the best.” His sincere answer puffed my chest with pride.
“I love you too.” I chuckled and ruffled his hair. “Now, tell me, would you like to go to the new school from here and make new friends but you will not get to go back to your grandpa’s place. Will you be able to adjust?” I asked politely.
“If I get to stay with you then yes. I just want to stay with you. I like it here. I just want you, Lauren, and grandma. I don’t want to go back.”
This is all I wanted to hear. His confession filled me with confidence.
“One last question, Ryan.” I paused, forming the correct words.
“Would you accept me as your father?”
He was a smart kid, he immediately understood the deep meaning behind my questioning. His blue eyes began to fill with moisture and his lower lip began to tremble.
There and then I knew the answer. I didn’t need to hear it in words from him to conclude that I had made the right decision.
Before he could shed a tear, I pulled him closer to me and hugged him dearly. He cried. He cried against my shoulder. Hearing his loud sobs my eyes too moistened up but I didn’t let the tears fall.
I lifted him in my arms and rubbed his back repeatedly. I was comforting him when my eyes landed on the kitchen entrance. There stood Lauren, with teary eyes. I shook my head and signaled her to come near me.
“I told you, he loves you.” She whispered as she wrapped her arms around me and Ryan.
“And I love you both.” I wrapped my free arm around her and kissed her hair. “Thank you for being with me.”