A glimpse of her past - VIII

They came out of the car. Regan held her hand to help and take her inside the house. Instead of walking with him, she stood there pondering over something. He turned around to ask her to walk when she spoke.

"Thanks Regan."

"Jesus Anna! I think sorry and thank you are your favorite words, aren't they?"

"It's not like that. I just wanted to...."

He didn't let her complete. "Alright, I accept your gratitude. Now let's go inside. It's already cold here and you are hurt. I don't want you to stand for long in this condition."

"But I wanted to talk to you."

"You can talk as much as you want while I walk you to the door." He again held her hand and gradually led her to the main door of her house which was some steps away from the parking space, intending to hear her and spend some more time with her.

"You know I can walk. Besides I'm not a kid."

"Then don't act like one. I just want to make sure that you reach your home safe and sound. Moreover I don't want your dad to accuse me of not taking care of his princess."

She scrunched her nose in annoyance out of habit and he chuckled at her reaction. She saw him and giggled.

She then turned all serious and said, "I know you don't like me thanking you again and again. But I can't help it." She stopped and lowered her eyes. "I don't know after how long I laughed so hard and relaxed. I actually relived my old memories.... when me and daddy used to go for cycling in Seattle. It used to be our favorite thing."

It was the first time when she was sharing something about her personal life to him. He was amused and gave her his undivided attention.

"Back then.....amusement parks, cycling, shopping and baking with mama used to be my favorite things. But after their death....I left Seattle and never did any of it again."

She looked into his eyes and said earnestly, "Today.... you gave me the chance to relive those memories. I am happy and you are the reason behind it Regan. So thank you again."

"If you miss them so much then why didn't you came back to Seattle Anna? I know the bond between you and Richard but still...."

"Although I never speak much about them but I miss them..... very much. I was their princess and mama and daddy used to adore me like their most precious treasure." She said softly and blinked her blurry eyes.

"Anna I am sorry if I...." His heart clenched after hearing her. Her unshed tears were enough to create a havoc in his cold heart.

"You don't need to and about my bond with dad.... I can never leave him for he was the one who brought me back to life from my depressed state. He stood for me when there was no one and still keeps me safe in his fatherly embrace. I lost my family but I was fortunate to get one in the form of dad who loves me as much as my own parents and Emily and Jack.... I am their baby sister. How can I leave them? Besides, that place holds no good memories for me. Indeed it does but it has equally given me scars that have outcasted those good ones."

"What do you mean?"

She bit her quivering lip. She didn't have any clue why she was sharing her heart with him. All she knew was that she felt better after talking to him, after sharing a part of her life with him. But they still had a long way to go and she was not yet ready to share her past with Ashton to him. How could she tell him that it was the same place where she lost her love, her everything and almost her dignity too. If it was not for Ashton who saved her with his life.... she might have been tormented to death by those monsters who preyed on her and left nothing to batter her heart. She shuddered on the sheer thought of the tragic night that changed everything and snatched away the only reason of her happiness.

She didn't even realize that her eyes were watering until she felt a soft touch on her cheeks. It was Regan who was caressing her face and gently wiping her tears with his thumb. She looked into his soft grey orbs in a daze which were coaxing her with unspoken words to assure her that she was secured around him. They held a promise that he stated earlier that he would never leave her. Ever. She could feel that they were not just words that escaped his mouth but were much more than that.

Although she didn't continue further, her eyes were enough to tell him about her sufferings and pain that made her so fragile and grief stricken. He didn't know how to console her so he stood there silently, with her letting out her heart which held so much things in it.

They didn't need words to convey anything to each other. He could see that she just needed him to hold her and she could see that he was there for her without uttering a single word.

Both were bemused at how and when did they create such an understanding between them, unknown to the fact that it was destiny who brought them together and was working wonders to connect their souls. All it was.... just a matter of time.