Chapter 7

Alex

Stripping down to my boxers, I claimed my spot in bed next to Julie. She had this quirky habit of covering her face when I was close, leaving me intrigued about its purpose. Our legs brushed briefly as she closed her eyes and inhaled sharply. Then, as she opened her eyes, she quickly averted her gaze, and her ears flushed with a rosy hue, indicating she might be blushing. As the night wore on, it became increasingly difficult for both of us to sleep.

After lying down for about half an hour, the peaceful stillness was disrupted by Angel’s cries. Julie sprang into action, inadvertently revealing her attire—nothing but her undergarments. Maybe she had forgotten that I was here. She tended to Angel’s needs, changing her diaper and settling her back into the world of dreams.

When Julie returned to bed, she was shivering. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t realize it was so cold, and it’s not even winter yet,” she exclaimed.

I couldn’t help but acknowledge the obvious. “I know, but what do you expect when you’re wearing nothing but your underwear?”

Julie was taken aback, and she looked down at herself. In the quiet of the moonlit room, I watched her reaction with a mixture of surprise and empathy. Her abrupt shiver prompted an instinctive desire to protect, and in her vulnerability, she hastily clung to the security of a nearby blanket.

Without much thought, my arm encircled her, drawing her gently towards me, the warmth of our shared space offering solace against the night’s cold. But, as I held her close, I remained blissfully oblivious to the turbulence of emotions I had unknowingly ignited within her.

Our gazes met in the soft, muted light, and in the depths of her eyes, I saw an enigma - a blend of curiosity and surprise. It was as though she was silently questioning my intentions, her unspoken words hanging in the air, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Sensing the need to explain, I spoke softly, the sincerity in my voice unambiguous. “I thought since you were cold, I could warm you up. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

Her response was a breath of reassurance. A smile, imbued with a sense of gratitude, crossed her lips, and it conveyed that she understood the genuine motive behind my actions. “No, it’s fine,” she whispered in reply, her eyes locking onto mine with newfound warmth. “You just took me by surprise. Thanks, I already feel warmer.”

In that delicate exchange, a silent understanding deepened between us. The room seemed to hold its breath, acknowledging the emergence of an unexpected intimacy, and the cold of the night beyond our sanctuary faded into insignificance compared to the warmth we now shared.

I couldn’t resist teasing her playfully, “I can see it all over your face.”

Julie touched her cheek and covered it, insisting, “I’m not blushing; it’s just hot in here.”

I bantered back with a smirk, “Oh, really? I didn’t say you were blushing, did I?Well, I guess they say I’m ‘too hot to handle,’ but hey, who can blame them when they’re in the presence of such charisma and charm?“

She averted her eyes and decided, “Well, I’ll have to keep my oven mitts handy if you’re really that hot!”

“Haha, oven mitts might not be enough to handle this heat! But who can resist a little sizzle? i reply to which she said,

“True, a little sizzle can be quite irresistible! But don’t forget, we make one hot team!”

hahah I laughs and replied with, “That’s right, a team so hot we could start a fire! Just remember to bring the marshmallows for our sizzling adventures!”

“Hahahah that was a good one,

I’ll bring the marshmallows, and you bring the charisma! It’s going to be one blazing adventure!, It’s late; we should get some sleep.”

We were interrupted by moans coming from the room next door, which drew Julie’s attention. She cast a disapproving glance at the door. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Doesn’t she know there are other people in the house? And that we’re next door?”

I attempted to provide some perspective. “I think they assumed we were already asleep.”

Julie empathized with her sister’s predicament. “I feel bad for her. She deserves to be happy too, you know?”

I teased her gently, “You seem to have a lot of water behind those eyes. Is that a parent thing?”

Julie laughed and responded, “I guess it comes with the territory.”

I agreed, “It’s getting late. I think we should go to bed; I’m exhausted.”

She wrapped her arm around my waist and closed her eyes. I couldn’t help but admire her beauty, which had captivated me from the moment we met. There was something about Julie, something that drew me closer to her, making me appreciate her strength and resilience.

Most people might resent having a child that was the result of a mistake, but Julie wasn’t like most people. She was special, caring for her daughter with unwavering love and finding solace in her presence, where others might harbour resentment.

As I held her closer, I noticed her breathing grow heavier, and she started sweating and trembling. Concerned, I rose from the bed, fetched a damp towel, and gently dabbed her forehead. It seemed that she was plagued by recurring nightmares, and seeing her in this state deeply troubled me. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she was crying. I decided to wake her from this distress.

Julie opened her eyes, her expression a mix of confusion and fear. “Hey, it’s me, Alex. Are you okay?”

She surveyed the room, her gaze eventually resting on Angel, who was sound asleep. Julie hugged me and managed a smile. “I’m fine, Alex. It was just a nightmare. I’ll take my medication, and I’ll be okay.”

Julie retrieved some pills and a glass of water from her suitcase, taking the medicine as I had provided it. She returned to bed, placing her head on my chest, and I wrapped an arm around her.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I asked, “So, what were the pills for, princess?”

Julie explained, “I got them from the doctor. They’re meant to help me sleep and reduce the nightmares.”

I agreed, “Ah, I see. Well, let’s go to bed then.” We clung to each other in the comfort of the night, finding solace in the shared warmth and the intimacy of the moment.