Michael POV:I glared right back at her. My eyes narrowed on her thickening waist. My expression changed, i suddenly felt a warm feeling inside me. I’d never thought of children. At least, not since Shannon’s death. Now, i began to wonder what a child of mine might look like. Would it have dark hair like mine or a flaxen hair like Aurora's? Would it have blue eyes like me or an hazel eye like her? Would it be a boy, or a little girl?“You look…odd,” she commented.“I was thinking about the baby,” i said absently, my eyes still on her waist. “I never really thought about being a father. I’ve been alone most of my adult life.”“So have I,” she said “What do you want?” i asked, meeting her eyes levelly.She blinked. “I…haven’t thought about that. Not much anyway.”I moved a step closer. “What would you like to have?”I was lost in her eyes. “Little girls are nice,” she ventured. “I like to knit and crochet and quilt. I could…teach her.”I held my breath. A little girl. He thought abou
Aurora POV:As I stepped inside the restaurant, I was instantly struck by the cozy and inviting atmosphere. The dim lighting, soft music and unlit candles on the tables created a warm and intimate ambiance that made me feel at ease.The interior was elegantly decorated with a modern and minimalist theme, featuring muted colors and sleek furnishings that exuded a chic and sophisticated vibe. The walls were adorned with tasteful artworks and ornamental plants that added touch of nature and serenity to the space.It was said they served three meals a day, and her restaurant was always crowded after from morning till late at night and today was no exception. Today was no exception. When i walked in with Michael, conversation muted at once and all eyes turned toward us. Michael had insisted we held hands, and several pair of eyes glued on our arm immediately. I felt uncomfortable and Michael saw."For someone who is nervous about being seen together public, your choice of restaurant is ir
Michael POV:We walked into the house together to Mrs. Hardy laying on the sofa. She sat up straight in her chair and folded her hands on her lap. “Okay. What’s going on?”“Two cars? Both of you here just after work? It’s something big.” She said "Aurora, looks scared, so it can't be a good news" She added"Trust me, Mrs. Hardy it's a bad news, it's something joyful, but depends on how you see it. you need not stress yourself. It's just something that need to be said, you are bound to find out sooner or later.""Oh' so you have both decided to come clean and tell me, my daughter is pregnant" “Mama!” She exclaimed, horrified.My mouth fell open.“She thinks I’m deaf,” Mrs. Said to me. “I’d have to be, not to hear her throwing up every morning.” She studied him belligerently. “Well? I presume it's yours, since you are here with her and look quite anxious unlike your charismatic self. The old woman is so intelligent. "You are right Mrs. Hardy, i impregnated your daughter""Since wh
Michael POV:As I walked into the jewelry store, my heart was pounding with excitement and nerves. I was met with the sparkling sight of diamond rings on display, each one more dazzling than the last.I realized i was making Aurora settle for the bare minimum and felt pissed with myself, she didn't even receive a romantic and beautiful Proposal like every woman dreams of. I wanted to do it tonight, when the emotions was still running high. I had been looking for an excuse to leave and come back and going back to town to get some food had been the perfect excuse and distraction. I knew she wouldn't suspect a thing.I approached a friendly sales associate and explained my situation. "I'm looking for an engagement ring for my Woman" I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Something special that will take her breath away."The sales associate nodded understandingly. "Of course. Do you have any specific styles or designs in mind?"I shook my head. "I really don't know where to start. I j
Aurora POV:He’d promised lunch, but I could tell that the discussion about Lucy was wounding him. I only smiled. “I’ll look forward to it,” i said. “Drive carefully.”He nodded absently, turned, and went to his car. He didn’t look back as he drove away.I hesitated before i went back into the house. I wasn’t really worried. He wasn’t lying about their physical compatibility, and he did seem to want our child. But he hadn’t completely settled the past. He needed time, and i was going to give it to him. I wanted him desperately. But he had to want her just as much. He had to let go of the memory of Lucy. Somehow, i knew, he would manage that.Mom caught the sight of the ring of my finger when i stepped. It was hard not to. "That's new" she eyed it"Yes Mom" i said flashing it for her to have a better look "He just proposed to me" "That was thoughtful of him" She nodded with relief"I guess what's left is to pick a date and start plannig a wedding before your stomach before you start
Michael POV:I had gone home in a black mood. Mee and Yow curled up beside me in bed that night and purred while I brooded. I couldn’t get that last vision of Lucy out of my mind, lying so still and beautiful in her white coffin. All the long years, he’d wondered if i could have saved her if i'd managed to convince her not to go to the party instead of agreeing to go. I agreed to go to the party with her. She’d asked him to, and he’d wanted to go. Then I'd watch her die. I'd gone around in a daze for weeks afterward. He hadn’t been able to think, much less work. I wanted to punish myself for it and i did punish myself for it. My reserve unit, like Cag Hart’s, had been called up in 1991 when Operation Desert Storm sent soldiers to Kuwait to liberate it from invasion. He’d volunteered without a second thought, not at all concerned that he might die.He’d waded right in with his company, in the thick of the fighting, a captain in a forward unit. During a memorable firefight, i’d propell
Aurora POV:The cats were both sitting in the front window when the car drove up.“That’s odd,” Michael remarked. “They never wait for me like that unless it’s grocery day.”“Maybe they smell the salmon!” I teased.He made a face. “Fat chance.”I picked up the fish and we both went in the front door together.“Hi, guys,” I said, wafting the brown-wrapped fish above their heads. “Hungry?”They both started yowling, sounding for all the world like crying babies as they stood on their hind legs trying to swat the package out of my hands.“That has to be a good sign,” I told him.“We’ll see. Come on, girls,” he called to them, leading me through the living room and into the spacious kitchen. “I’ll get their bowls.”He pulled them out of the dishwasher and settled them on the counter. Violet opened the brown package and split the salmon down the middle. The cats were all but climbing the cabinet.“Here you go, babies,” I said softly, and put the fish down.They both glanced at me with big
Aurora POV:It was Libby wedding the following week. We went together to the wedding. She married hugh in a beautiful church service, with most of the leading citizens of Jacobsville for witnesses. As her brother Curt led her down the aisle, she glanced at Aurora, sitting so close beside me, and grinned. We grinned back.The soft melodies of a string quartet played in the background, creating an atmosphere of enchantment and romance. The late afternoon sun bathed the scene in a warm, golden glow, casting a spell on all who gathered to witness this momentous occasion.The ceremony itself was a beautifully orchestrated affair. The vows spoken by Sarah and James were heartfelt and sincere, capturing the essence of their deep connection and unwavering commitment to each other. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement, knowing that my own wedding was just around the corner.The presence of Calhoun added to the class of the occasion, like ants attracted to a lump of sugar, Calhoun p
Epilogue Aurora POV:The warm sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a soft golden glow on the bedroom walls. I lay in bed, feeling the gentle rhythm of my husband's breathing beside me. It had been a long and arduous journey for us, but today was a day of happiness—a day to cherish the love and resilience that had brought us together.I watched him for a long time, I enjoyed watching him sleep. there was something particularly soothing about watching him sleep.As I stretched my arms above my head, my eyes fell upon the photograph on the nightstand. It captured a moment frozen in time, our wedding day. We got married on a beach in Oregon. It was the most beautiful day of my life. Michael's eyes were filled with unwavering devotion, and I couldn't help but smile at the memory. The vows we exchanged that day held the promise of a lifetime of shared dreams and unbreakable bonds.We had toured the world like he had promised leaving with beautiful memories everywhere we we
Michael POV:As I stood before the graves of my parents and Beatrice, a mix of emotions washed over me. It was the first time I had brought anyone to this sacred place. I watched as she knelt down, her face solemn and filled with respect, paying her respects to the departed souls who had unwilling been absent to shape my life."Who are they?" She askedI was yet to tell her whom they are and name on the graves gave no clues to whom they were. "The first two are my parents and the third is my elder sister" She looked taken aback"I thought you never knew them""I was lucky to find out, with some help of some friends. I wanted you to meet them too"She nodded, her eyes filled with awe. Aurora's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her words carrying a weight of sincerity and determination. "I promise you, dear parents and sister, that I will take care of Michael. I will be there for him, just as you were. I will cherish him, support him, and love him with all my heart. You have left
Michael POV: The town recieve the news about Calhoun with mixed feelings. The next few days was spent uprooting every corrupt official on Calhoun payroll and his drug warehouse was ruthlessly shut down. It was finally Mark's funeral, I had dreaded this day because of the effects I knew it would have on me.I stood there, my heart heavy with sorrow, as I gazed upon the somber scene before me. The room was filled with mournful whispers and tear-streaked faces, each one reflecting the immense loss we all felt. "Today, we gathered to bid farewell to a dear friend, a courageous soul who had given his life in the line of duty. He was a cop, a protector of the innocent, and his untimely death"The eulogies began, each one a testament to his character and the impact he had made on countless lives. His family, friends, and fellow officers all shared their stories, their voices trembling with a mix of grief and admiration. They spoke of his courage, his selflessness, and his unwavering deter
Aurora POV: It's been days since my search and rescue. I never imagined that freedom could feel so overwhelming. After enduring the horrors of being kidnapped and held captive, the sweet taste of liberation should have been pure bliss. Yet, as I cautiously navigate this newfound freedom, it feels as though the world around me is still holding its breath, afraid to disturb the fragile existence I've fought so hard to regain.The news of my rescue spread like wildfire, and people showered me with words of relief and gratitude. They embraced me with tender hugs, their eyes brimming with tears of joy. But beneath their smiles, I sensed a subtle unease, an unspoken fear of shattering my fragile state of recovery. It's as if they see me as a porcelain doll, easily broken with a single misplaced step.Every interaction now feels calculated, as if everyone around me is walking on tiptoes, afraid to say or do anything that might trigger painful memories or send me spiraling back into the dark
Aurora POV:I stepped into the familiar warmth of Michael's house. He came back to pick me up the next morning after spending considerable time with my mother. He had insisted on staying with him for the time being and my mother was only happy to agree. It is a mix of relief and apprehension flooding my senses. The events of the past few days had been a nightmare, one that had finally released its grip on me. I glanced around, taking in the comforting sights of our living room, but the shadows of the ordeal still lingered in every corner.Michael stood beside me, his eyes filled with a mix of worry, love, and a determination to keep me safe. I understood his concerns; after all, I had been taken away from him against my will. But as much as I craved his protective presence, I also longed for a sense of normalcy and the freedom to heal at my own pace.Michael furry companions who seems to have been waiting anxiously for my return, approached cautiously, sniffing the air with curiosity
Michael POV:As I walked Mr. Eyre and Jane to the airport, the weight of sadness enveloped us, casting a somber atmosphere over our conversation. The news of Calhoun, being responsible for his daughter's death had left us both of them speechless and devastated.Jane walked in front while Mr. Eyre and I walked behind her."I can't believe it, Michael," Mr. Eyre whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief and pain. "How could someone commit such a heinous act? I can't wrap my mind around it."His words echoed the thoughts that swirled in my own mind. I struggled to find an answer, my voice choked with emotions. "I don't know, Mr. Eyre," I managed to say, my voice laced with sorrow. "We continued walking through the airport, the surroundings a blur as our conversation grew heavier with regret and guilt."I blame myself, Mr. Eyre " I confessed, "I can't help but wonder if there were signs I missed, if I could have protected her somehow. And to think I have wined and dined with her kill
Aurora POV:I stood there, watching the flames dance and devour the remnants of the cloth I had worn during my unimaginable ordeal. The crackling fire illuminated the night, casting a warm glow upon my face as i gathered around its flickering embrace. The crackling of the flames seemed to echo the tumultuous journey I had endured, a journey that had tested my spirit to its very limits."Aurora" My mother called, I turned to see her creeping on me. I saw glint of sadness in her eyes, when she saw what I was burning. What was suppose to represent a joyous day, now represents a traumatizing experience, it's existence needed to be erased."Libby and Mabel are here to see you. Should they wait for you in the Living room""Let them join me in the backyard" I replied softly "Ok dear" I heard their footsteps few seconds later, before Libby reached out and gently touched my shoulder. "We came as soon as your mother called you are back" Her voice trembled with emotion as she spoke, "We miss
Michael POV:"Are you okay, Aurora? I'm here now, everything is fine now" I held her tightly like someone would try to steal her from my hand againHer tear glands finally gave in to the waterworks. "I was so scared" she said choking on her own words. "I thought I was not going to see you again""Then I had Mark died in my arms, I watched him died, life sucking out of him slowly. Then I had to stare at his dead body for hours""You are fine now"I patted and rocked her body like one would a baby. It felt soothing to have her in my arms again. My heart races in my chest, adrenaline still coursing through my veins as I hold her tightly in my arms. We've just escaped from the clutches of danger, and the relief surges through me like a tidal wave. I can feel her trembling against me, her breath coming in short gasps, and I know she's just as shaken as I am. As I look into her eyes, gratitude and love swirl in the depths of my being. The thought of losing her, of never seeing that radian
Aurora POV: I sat resting on the wall while staring into the oblivion. I sit here, trapped in this cold, desolate room, my spirit drained and my body weary. The flickering overhead light casts eerie shadows on the peeling walls, reflecting the dismal state of my existence. My mind is numb, and my once fiery gaze has dulled into a vacant stare.Hope, once a flickering flame within me, has been extinguished. Not the long for my mother's smile and Michael touch could rekindle the hope. It has been replaced by a resignation, a surrender to the cruel fate that has befallen me. The days and nights blend together, a blur of monotony and fear. I have lost track of time, as each passing moment feels like an eternity.Calhoun intentions are unclear, his motives shrouded in darkness. If he wanted to kill me he should have already. All I know is that he holds complete control over my life, and I am at his mercy. The uncertainty gnaws at me, devouring any remnants of strength I have left. I wonde