“You were having a bad dream.” I reached up and brushed his hair off of his forehead. He glanced away with a shyness that made me feel the warmth within his heart. Then he looked back up at me and stroked my cheek. A soft smile crossed his face. It was moments like those that I cherished with him. That was the real Henry.
That Henry was my absolute favorite. He seemed content. I smiled at him when he wrapped his arm around my lower back and pulled me close. We were nose-to-nose. Henry’s cool breath sent chills throughout my entire body, only to stop at my core, leaving me begging for him to touch me.
Without warning, he pushed me on my back and rolled on top of me. He pressed his lower body against mine, letting me know what he wanted, knowing I could no longer resist his advances.
I reached down and helped him out of his pants, as he helped me out of mine. He balanced himself on his right elbow, interlacing the fingers of his left hand into mine. He pushed my legs apart and settled between them. The kisses between us were strong and hungry. In one thrust, he plowed into me.
I fought valiantly to stay quiet. I buried my face into his chest, hoping my voice and heavy breathing would be muffled. Henry buried his face at the crook of my neck and into the pillow. We rocked each other to ecstasy. It took every ounce of strength from both of us not to cry out as we came together.
I began crying immediately after. I was emotionally spent. He lifted himself off of me, a stunned look on his face. “Are you alright? Did I hurt you?” I held my hands over my face, trying to hide the obvious. The tears streamed down the sides of my cheeks, settling into my ears. “Love, please…talk to me.” He was a little frantic.
He forced my hands down off of my face. Then he pulled me close and held me. He comforted me the best that he could, without knowing why I was such a goddamn mess.
“Love, tell me what’s wrong. You’re worrying me,” he pleaded.
My words didn’t come out with ease. Every single one of them broke through my sobs. “I’m just so tired. Tired of it all. Tired of worrying about you; worrying if we will get to where we need to go; worried what’ll happen when we get there; worried about us, about everyone…” Henry wrapped his arms around me. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t. I worry so much about you. There’s only Thomas and I to supply you and Nick now. Food is slim, safe housing is limited…” Henry pulled back and rested his forehead against mine.
“I’m so sorry. I want to make you happy. And I will not stop until that happens. I know I’ve been weak lately, but I promise to provide more strength for you to lean on.” He brushed my long, tear-dampened hair away from my face and drew me into his gaze. “Tomorrow, I will start training Nick and Thomas, if Addie will allow it. I understand your fears and I want to give you some reassurance.” He kissed my cheek.
Of course, someone had to knock on the door during one of my weaker moments. Panic ran through me. I didn’t want anyone to know that I was crying my eyes out, nor find out that we were without clothes. I tried to make my voice sound steady.
“Hold on. I’m helping Henry put his shirt back on.” There were a lot of quick silent hand motions between us, pointing at our clothes and one another. I hate charades.
Claire shouted through the door. “I just wanted to tell you that Addie wants everyone outside so we can tend to the garden and figure out a meal.”
“Alright. We’ll be right there. I just need to help him.” Henry blotted my face with the water and rag that Addie used to wipe down his broken hand. We both dressed.
“It’s going to be okay.” I nodded. He pulled me into yet another one of his healing embraces. “Come on, my black-haired beauty. Let’s get out there and help.”
“She said we can stay as long as we need to.” Henry smiled. Then he took my hand, and we walked out together.
***
As Henry and I made our way out to the others, he held me firmly against his side. He was doing just as he said he would…holding me up with his strength.
Everyone was in the garden. Claire saw us and waved. Henry continued holding on to me. When we finally arrived to the outer edges of Addie’s massive garden, he eased his body away from mine, making it look as if I was assisting him. He knew exactly what I needed. That’s why I loved him so much.
“Mr. Henry!” Julianna rushed to him. She clutched Henry around his waist. “You’re okay!” Henry squatted down low enough to be eye-to-eye with his newfound admirer. He grinned at her, taken in by the affection Julianna was showing him.
“Hello, beautiful princess. I’m doing much better. Thank you.”