“Keith is going to stop by and drop off something to help you sleep,” I tell her, helping her lie back down. She nods, but doesn’t say anything, just watches me closely. Twenty minutes later, the doorbell goes off and I kiss her forehead again, muttering “I’ll be right back. When I reach the kitchen Keith is looking through the glass door with his hands in his pockets and a concerned look on his face.
“She okay?” he asks, when I open the door.
Running my hand over my head I shrug. “She hasn’t slept. I don’t know how much of our history you know, but last night, I got stuck out in the storm. It took a while to make it into port, and by the time I got home, she was almost catatonic. She’s been crying since then, if not before, and she hasn’t slept.”
“Christ,” he mutters, looking toward the stairs. “Do you want me to check her out?”
“No, I don’t think that will help right now,” I tell him, and he nods then hands me a small bag.
“I put two pills in there. If she needs more after today, just have her call and I’ll get her a prescription.
“I appreciate this, man.”
“No problem. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do,” I say, watching him leave, then I head back upstairs.
“What’s this?” Lea asks as I hand her a pill and the bottle of water I sat on her bedside table earlier.
“A sleeping pill,” I say, brushing some hair off her forehead. She nods, puts it in her mouth, and then takes a gulp of water. “It will all be okay, Lea.” I lie back down with her pulling her into my arms.
“I know.” She snuggles into me as I run my fingers up and down her arm. Only when she’s breathing evenly and her body has relaxed against mine do I feel myself relax. I know it’s going to take sometime for her to be okay but I know that we just made it through the worst of the storm.
Turning my head, I let my eyes roam over Lea as she stands at the mouth of the living room. Her hair is up on top of her head, and her eyes are no longer red from crying, but still look soft from sleep. “Hey.” Her soft voice washes over me, and I stop stirring the soup and hold out my hand towards her.
“Come here, baby.”
She moves to me slowly then wraps her arms around my waist and presses her face into my bare chest.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better,” she mumbles, kissing over my heart.
“I was going to bring you some food.”
“Can we eat outside instead?”
“Sure, grab some bowls,” I tell her, pulling the sourdough bread out of the oven then filling both bowls with clam chowder, putting both on large plates.
“What would you like to drink?” she asks.
“Just grab me a water, baby.” I say walking out to the deck, setting both the plates down on the table then pulling out her chair before she takes a seat.
“It’s so nice out,” she says, looking out at the water that the sun has just began to set over.
“Ben and Rhonda stopped by while you were sleeping. They said they would be by in a couple days,” I tell her, watching as she nods, fills her spoon, and takes a bite.
“Did you tell them what happened?” she whispers, sounding unsure and sad.
“Look at me, Lea,” I say, waiting for her gaze to meet mine. “I didn’t tell them, but you have no reason to feel embarrassed. They’re your friends and are worried about you. You scared them yesterday.”
She nods and lowers her gaze again. “I’m going to ask Rhonda if she knows anyone in town that I can talk to.”
“I think that would be good, baby,” I agree softly.
“My mom told you what she did, didn’t she?” she asks, while her eyes are glued on the view.
“She did.” I agree feeling my fist tighten around the spoon in my hand.
“When?” she prompts and I drop my spoon and place my hand on her thigh. “Is that why you changed your mind about me, about us?” She asks softly turning to look at me with fresh tears in her eyes.
“We were inevitable, Lea. Even if your mom would have kept her secret, I eventually would have gone after you.”
“But—” Her bottom lip trembles as I shake my head.
“There are no buts.” I run my thumb over her lips. “When I saw you out with Keith, I wanted to beat the shit out of him, then I wanted to follow you into the bathroom and fuck you until you told me that you were mine.”
“Oh,” she mumbles, looking adorable.
“It’s always been you Lea. There has never been anyone else for me but you.”
“I’m sorry I left you.” She whispers and I get up from my chair and crouch down in front of her holding her face gently in my palms.