Unknown to Adian, from the corner of my eyes I watch him lying with his hand under his head, with his closed eyes fluttering.
Dimming the lights, I slid unto the bed beside him.
Turning, he removed an arm from under his head, opening it for me lay on his shoulder.
"We have a lot of decisions to make concerning my father and Adana," I blurted out, finally ready to deal with the darkness looming over our head.
Sighing deeply, "yeah and right now, I'm stuck." Adian admitted, his voice so soft, I had to strain my ear to hear him.
"There's something I need your father's help with." Leaning on my elbow, I left my head to observe him.
Nodding, eying me cautiously. "Okay?" He responded with a question.
Pushing myself further up against him, aligning my face directly with his. "I need to know where my mother is buried and where we lived, previously when she died." I watch Adain's eyes widen in surprise as I quickly recited the speech I prepared.
Shifting his body, Adain straightens up against the backboard. "Huh," shaking his head, giving me a confused by sad smile. "I've never given thought about your home or visiting your mom's grave." Shaking his head in disbelief. "You never knew," he said almost to himself, then the corners of his mouth curls into a sad smile. "I'm sorry Hailey." Adian's sudden apology confused me.
Reaching out, I touch his lips. "Sorry?" I repeated. "Why?" I couldn't understand what he needed to apologize for because we were both children when everything between our parents unfolded.
Soft caring blue eyes darken with an emotion I couldn't comprehend.
"Because of my mother, you have suffered so much," Adian started saying, gently stopping my hand when I moved to cover his lips. "What she did to you and those pills they forced you to take." Pulling me against his chest, "I'm so sorry." Adian wept above my head.
This is the first time my strong, arrogant husband cried.
Reaching up, I pulled his head against my bosom and for the first time I did what he has been doing for me since I moved in here.
I comforted him, allowing him to sob, until I was unable to stop my own tears from falling on his head.
"Thank God we found each other," I whispered softly, my arms wrapped tightly around his head and his arms wrapped around my torso.
I felt his arms tighten, "because of Amelia," he calls his mother by her name, with a disgusted tone.
Ready to contradict him, "we found each other before her and would have remain in contact, if it wasn't for her." I reminded him about our first encounter.
Lifting his head to stare at me with eyes that's red with unshed tears, Adian smiles.
"Yeah I lost you when she called and the shit she said," Adian admits, his smiles slowly disappears.
Palming my face, "I hated you before I met you, then hated myself when I realize that you were the girl I followed into the cafe that day." He admitted. "The girl that got away. I was smitten and deep down I was happy the girl was you but my pride got in between and because my mother brought us together, I fought getting closer to you." Adian continued with his confession, admitting why he pushed me away the first few weeks.
Remembering who brought us together.
"It was Adana," I whispered, "she's the one who brought us together." I reminded him.
Nodding, he lowered his eyes, "yes she insisted I bring her to you that day to invite you to stay with us," he mused.
"And I was already willing to moved in with you," remembering that day and how anxious I was to leave when I overhead Ryan and Nanny Pierce talking.
Adjusting himself on the bed, Adian pulls me against his chest, "Chubbs and dad were not getting along as usual and he was sending her off to boarding school, then we decided that if you lived with us, dad won't send her away again." Adian continues to explain.
I frowned because I never knew this.
Chuckling softly, "big brother in those days was really f**ked up and I was a major disappointment to my parents who didn't trust me to be solely responsible for a teenage female." Laughing, he lifted my chin to stare into my eyes.
Frowning, "but they trusted that she would be safe with you," his frown deepens, thoughtfully. "Dad was actually supportive, of leaving Chubbs with me, once you were there." He mused.
"Oh," was my only response because, back then Adana was loving and kind towards me. It was only when Adian was drugged by his mother and ex, that Adana turned against her.
"She's my sister," I blurted out, hearing Adian's sharp intake of breath.
"Ye.. uh.. uh yeah" Adian stammers and paused, "yeah, she is." He admitted.
We were both silent because having said what was bothering me, I closed my eyes as exhaustion overtook my body, after our long and stressful day.
The steady rhythm of Adian's breathing was soothing to my ear, leading me into a deep and dreamless sleep.
I woke up to a body next to mines but it was smaller than my husbands.
'You're up!" Emmy yelled in excitement. Smiling from ear to ear where she sat staring at me.
Blinking, I closed my eyes, grabbed Adian's pillow behind her and turned my back.
"Let's sleep some more," I suggested with a soft whisper.
Emmy tugged at my shoulders, "no get up," she says jumping up and down in excitement. "Uncle Bassie and Aunty Mel is taking me to a Carnival." Emmy giggles.
Realizing going back to sleep with Emmy jumping on the bed is not an option right now. "And you're leaving me home?" I give her a sad smile.
Nodding, "yes, Uncle Bassie said you're a big baby!" She chuckles.