CHAPTER 64

Nana stared after Alice as she walked to her room and sighed softly hoping tomorrow everything would work out fine.

" Thank you ayra dear for your understanding " Nana said turning towards ayra.

" No Nana don't make the mistake of thinking I would let this slide easily, I am merely thinking about your health " .

" All the same thank you my dear and maybe you can help talk to Alice " She said with a hopeful tiny grimce on her face .

" I am the last person on earth Alice would ever listen to concerning any matter and I can bet my last savings she's currently mad at me though I don't know my offense " .

" Oh my dearest child come here and give your old Nana a hug " .

Ayra went into her warm arms revealing in the familiar scent of cinnamon and lavender, grandma Nana had always smelt like this for as long as she could recall that was one of the reasons ayra was fond of her because she never changed unlike some people she knew and always reminded her of her sweet uncomplicated childhood when life was good. Ayra hugged her frail body one more time before letting go "Nana you ain't that old yet you know " She castigated tugging at her checks.

" Alright dear what ever you say " She replied glad she was able to make one granddaughter smile for the day.

" Urhm let's have dinner I made something " Catherine said gesturing towards the dinning table.

" Yeah my belly has been screaming in anguish " Nana said.

" Grandma Nana I will be in my room in case you need me " .

" Ahh ayra won't you eat with us? It's been a long time I ate with you - with the whole family in fact. " Nana commented

" Sorry Nana I'm terribly exhausted to eat besides the dinner wasn't prepared for neither me nor you in the first place " She muttered under her breath reluctant to annoy grandma Nana but willing to irritate Catherine, one thing she hated the most was someone rejecting her food.

" Ayra please won't you forgive me? I will do whatever you want me to do just to earn you- " .

" Please stop talking to me " Ayra interrupted her rudely " I was speaking to grandma Nana not you, therefore you would do well to stay clear of me " .

" Ayra please for my sake come have dinner with us, everyone had a hard day today I'm sure you are famished " Nana pleaded strain written all over her face .

" No Nana I will only say meanful stuff to her and upset you more, good night Nana " She muttered kissing her two checks and walking with slowed steps toward her room. " What the hell have you done Catherine? Nana questioned immediately she heard the door to ayra's door click closed. "How could you allow lust and flimsy emotions to cloud your better judgment? Huh Catherine answe me " .

Catherine wanted to admit her feelings for Martin to her mom that it wasn't about lust but she knew it wouldn't amount to any good "Mom they were meant to come back tomorrow evening I was surprised to see them back , I never wanted for any of these to happen at all. "

" Well they came back earlier than expected and so?you were supposed to be more careful now look the mess we are into "

" Do you think I ain't aware of the gravity of the situation? My two children currently view me as slutty and probably won't ever speak to me with respect and here you are judging me, do you even know what I go through everyday with two teenagers and no help from anyone whatsoever? How lonely it normally gets? " .

" Hmm it's okay my daughter everything would be fine come here to mama " . Nana reasurred.

" Mama will they ever forget? Alice looked ready to kill me if given the chance " Catherine mumbled into her mom's chest.

" Tsk you know Alice she's always been fiesty I'm sure by tomorrow she would have calmed down " She muttered though they both knew the possibility of that happening was slim .

" Mama what if things get worse tomorrow? "

" If that happens I will just bundle the two of them back to my house and they can convey to school from there. " Nana replied after some thought.

" That's a good idea " Cath started smiling softly but frowned again " But i don't want to be away from my children and what if they never want to return here?

" Catherine you are over thinking we will tackle this problem one day at a time " Nana said shaking her shoulders lightly.

Catherine nodded her head dejectedly.

" Now we will eat and have a good night sleep, God knows I can't wait for the day to end already " .

" Alright mom thank you for coming immediately to my rescue " She said truly grateful to her mom.

" Ssh of course I'm your mom young lady and would always clean after your mess no matter what happens. "

The ringing of her telephone jarred ayra from her thoughts, she groggily stood up from the bed, she had been trying to sleep for along time but each time she closed her eyes she saw her mom lying in bed with a stranger.

" Hello? "She greeted with a low register.

" Are you okay? Why is your voice strained ?" the caller questioned abruptly.

" Uhm who's this? "

" Muffin it's me Jack . Why didn't you recognize my voice? " He asked with a hurt tone .

" Oh jack gosh I'm sorry my mind kinda was distracted for moment, that's the reason I didn't recognize your voice and you have never called me in my telephone line " .

" Oh yeah I couldn't connect to your phone , so I had look for other means, whatsup you don't sound fine " He said knowing the exact expression on her face at the moment.

" Uhm Jack you shouldn't have bothered but I'm very fine just tired " She yawned for dramatic effect.

" Muffin you ain't good at lying,now tell me the truth my good girl " He teased wishing he could pat her head .

Ayra remained silent emotions choking her being.

" Ari are you still there? " He asked after a prolonged silence from her end.

" I'm with you jack but it's family problem and a bit personal, sorry I can't share with you. "

" Can I come see you? "

" Wait what? It's late jack " She reprimanded her heart for jumping at the thought of seeing him now.

" The family problem is clearly bothering you I want to see you even if you don't want to share at least you can cry in my shoulders "

When she didn't say any other thing he quickly told her he was on his way and switched off the phone call, and after some minutes there was a tiny knock at her window. Ayra quickly let him inside " How did you get here so fast? "

" I flew all the way to this place " He said with a serious face.

" Stop joking and tell me I wasn't expecting you till another twenty minutes " .

" Alright I was actually at your door step before I called you so after the call I merely waited for some moments before knocking " He muttered hoping she wouldn't think he was a physcho who couldn't stay away from his girlfriend for a moment .

" Why jack?" She asked clearly surprised .

" I don't know, you were not picking my calls and I wanted to see you " He muttered starring at her wallpapers .

" Oh jack " She cried hugging him tightly and of course his hands went around her waist and before she could control it, the tears she had been holding streamed down her eyes.

" Hey muffin are you crying?" He patted her head gently when she remained silent" sshh everything would be fine " my love " .

" Jack have you ever been let down and disappointed by the person you love the most? " She asked still holding on to his neck.

" Uhm yes muffin " He answered remembering his dad "Is this about the family stuff? " .

" Yeah " she replied sniffing .

He tugged her gently and held her teary face in his palms, slowly he cleaned out the streaks of tears with the pads of his thumb " Don't worry muffin trust me tomorrow will be better, c'mon I will put you to sleep.

" Are you leaving?" She questioned as he fussed over her duvet making sure she was properly covered .

" Do you want me to leave? "

She shook her head negatively

" Then I won't go in fact I will sleep with you only if you consent " .

Ayra's eyes widened at his words and her ears reddened .

" Tsk muffin you have such a dirty mind I only want to cuddle and hold you through the night " He said correcting her misconception.

Ayra swallowed hard at the thought of their body touching throughout the night she had read novels where the characters cuddle with their significant other and always fantasied of it, if she had known she would experience it tonight she would have worn her best night wear. " Jack I have never cud- cuddled before and I don't know how to act " .

Oh you don't know how that piece of information warms my heart muffin

" Roll over " He ordered and when she obeyed he laid down besides her and her scents filled him " Maybe this was a mistake " He thought to himself as he felt his body heat up just by pulling her body over to his.

" Relax muffin I ain't gonna jump you " He whispered in her ears.

Ayra expelled a deep breath and snuggled closer to him enjoying the scent of his Cologne, with their body wrapped around each other like a vise he kissed her deeply on her forehead " Sleep now my little angel " He murmured both of them falling into the most peaceful and sweet sleep they have ever had in a long time.