Chapter 20

Sky woke up early that morning, right when the first rays of the sun were about to hit the earth. He stepped out of the tent leaving Sierra still asleep when he heard a song being played.

“Oh… my love… my darling. I’ve hungered for your touch…” It was coupled with a soft sob.

Walking to the sound of the source he found Aiyana, listening to the song. Her face was bent down, her red hair covering her face as her fingers clasped onto the necklace around her neck.

Her fingers had gone white with the tight hold she had on the necklace and when she looked up, it almost broke his heart. Her eyes were red and brimming with tears. Her cheeks were puffy from all the crying. She looked so soft and vulnerable.

It was beautiful in the most tragic way. Sky walked to her and sat beside her, wordlessly bundling her up in her arms. Cradling her head against his chest, taking her legs to curl around his own he held her to himself protectively and he allowed her to cry. Brushing back her hair repeatedly. She was fragile and precious. And for this one moment she was his.

Aiyana nuzzled his chest, her nostrils flared as she took comfort in Sky. He smelt of musk and sweat. But, in that moment he smelt of home and security. Most of all he smelt of happiness. Her own fingers clasped around Sky’s biceps as the flexed under her inquisitive fingers. Her ear against his chest listening to the strong beats of his heart. In that moment she felt safe. Like everything the necklace was taking away from her would not happen if only she stayed in Sky’s arms like the way she was in that moment. That Sky would not let it happen. That he would protect her.

It was a very odd feeling. One she could not explain in that moment, but knew to be the truth. And maybe, just maybe it was.

“Aiyana?” Sky said her name for the first time. His voice was soft in that moment he was concerned about her. She looked up at him with those big doe eyes, the same eyes that she made at Chris; it was like being home for the first time in his 28 years of life. It was like roses and scented candles. The same ones that his mother would light each time she his father came home.

“Aiyana?” sky heard Chris call out Aiyana and just like that the softness that Sky held moments ago was gone. The warmth Sky’s body held was suddenly lost. He pushed her away in disgust, and stood up to search for Chris.

Aiyana stood up as Chris found them. Her body still catching up to the sudden change in Sky’s attitude.

Sky walked to Chris and said loudly, “Learn to manage your own woman. Comfort her yourself the next time. I don’t like to have to take care of crying little babies.” With that he walked away.