TORN

Almost a kiss

Jasmine 

I woke up feeling well rested, opening my eyes I saw a sleeping bag, an empty sleeping bag. Leo! I sat up with a jolt as memories of the nightmares that used to always haunt me of Leo in danger flooded my mind. Those nightmares had haunted me from the moment I had found out I was pregnant. Just another one of my illogical insecurities that Damian had had to deal with, I wouldn’t let let Leo out of my sight after he was born, not even for 5 minutes alone with his own father! It took me a year to finally realise how irrational and overbearing I was being.  Now here I was, in a completely strange place where we didn’t know anyone and I had not been able to keep my eyes open to watch my son! I was about to jump out of bed to search for him when the door opened and Leo walked  in sporting the biggest smile I had ever seen on his little face, holding a bunch of freshly picked wild flowers in his little hands. He was closely followed by Storm who was carrying a tray stacked high with pancakes, a bowl fruit, juice and by the smell of it, a wonderful cup of steaming hot coffee. My heart soared at the sight of them. A smile taking over y face as tears of joy, with a twinge of sadness, welled in my eyes. The sight of them felt so right, like it was always meant to be this way. I felt wavered in my decision to work things out wit my issues so I could work things out with Damian and be the wife he deserved but I had to do it, he deserved me to make that effort, the thought cause the sadness I felt to grow. I swallowed back my tears, I would enjoy today to it’s fullest and tonight when Storm took me home I would distance myself so that I could focus on my family and repairing the damage I have caused. “Well you guys look like you have been busy! That looks amazing!” I smiled taking Leo into my arms. “Storm and I made all the pancakes ourselves for you mommy” Leo exclaimed excitedly “Thank you so much, I didn’t realise how tired I was, I really hope he didn’t give you too much trouble” I said looking up at Storm “No not at all, it was actually one of the best mornings I’ve had, definitely the most fun” He smiled back setting the tray down. “Hope you enjoy” he said turning to leave. “Now just a minute there Mr. I absolutely can not eat all this by myself! You sit your butt back down and the both of you guys are going to help me finish this amazing breakfast that you put so much effort into making! ” I said patting the empty space on the bed next to me. We spent the next hour eating, talking and having a tickle fight that turned into a pillow fight. I savoured every moment. I realised that I couldn’t remember ever having a morning like this with Damian, Leo and I had made him breakfast in bed for Father’s Days, but he always preferred being left to eat in peace, which I suppose was understandable with how busy he always was with work. Storm stood up, hair perfectly dishevelled from our pillow fight, holding onto his stomach as he tried to calm his magnificent laughter. “Ok, ok guys. I don’t think my stomach can take anymore of this.” He giggled breathlessly. "Why don’t we all get done for the day then we can take a nice walk, what do you think?” He asked looking between Leo and me. “Yeah!” Leo said jumping up. “Sounds great” I smiled “Perfect, I have some things to organise, meet you downstairs in 30? Leo you can show mommy the kitchen little man?” He asked looking at Leo as if he had a very important task to do. “Yes I can” Leo replied proudly. Once we were freshened up, Leo took my hand and led me downstairs . There, packing a pick-nick basket was Storm, hair still wet from his shower, his curls falling into his eyes. He looked magnificent in his tight black T-shirt that hugged his muscular torso. He looked up “you guys ready?” he asked as he closed the basket, placing a blanket on-top of it picking it up to go. At that moment a beautiful woman walked into the kitchen, she was tall and slender showing off her long toned legs in a but hugging shorts, she wore a tight black tank top that also showed off her cleavage that was being pushed up by a lacy push up bra that was sticking out a bit at the top. "Storm, where have you been, I missed you last night" she smiled coyly leaning in close to him. A pang of jealousy pulled at me, and I looked down at the floor. "Sasha, as you can see I am currently busy with my guests, this is my...friend, Jasmine and her son, Leo." He said moving a way from her and stepping towards us. Not wanting to be rude, I looked up and smiled at her. She seemed to be sizing me up as she ran her eyes up and down me, making me feel self conscious and uncomfortable. The she smiled brightly " Very nice to meet you Jasmine, how nice of you to to be keeping my Storm busy and away from his duties" she said, sarcasm oozing from her voice. Taken aback I looked worriedly at Storm "I, Im sorry I realise you were busy..." before I could finish Storm stopped me. His eyes seemed to have gone a shade darker and he looked irritated and a bit angry. "Stop Sasha, I am not "yours" and Dan and Matt have been briefed on what they need to do, so everything is taken care of that needs to be." he said coldly. I shuffled on  my feet uncomfortably. "I'm sorry Storm, I'll leave you to enjoy your company" She smiled sweetly as she gathered her hair that was hanging loose tying it into a ponytail, causing her top to rise up and show off her perfectly toned stomach. She then walked between us, bumping into me as she slid her hand down Storms arm. "See you later" she cooed as she left. I stood there not knowing what to do then I felt Leo's hand and looked up to see him grabbing Storms hand and looking up at us with the biggest smile and excited eyes. "Can we go now" he asked innocently. Storm smiled at him, "Sure thin little man." then he lead us out the door, taking us behind the manor to a path that led through the forest till we reached a clearing with a beautiful waterfall. Leo’s eyes were as big as saucers as he took in the breathtaking sight and he let go of our hands running off towards it. "Be careful honey" I called after him. "Sorry about Sasha" Storm said "She..." I put up my hand to stop him "No worries, I'm sorry we are capitalising on your time, I know you are very busy man, being an investor and all I can only imagine, so it really means a lot that you took time out of your schedule to cheer me up. You are a great friend Storm" I said. He sighed and seemed to be debating what to say next. "Shall we" I smiled, walking off toward Leo and away from what was starting to become an awkward conversation. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying each other’s company, Storm showed Leo how to make a flower crown that Leo placed on my head when they were done. After our pick-nick Leo had fallen asleep. Storm and I sat by the waters edge watching him as the sun was slowly starting to set. “Thank you for this.” I smiled “I don’t think this is a day that Leo will forget for a very long time. He will be talking everyone’s ear off about his first time camping, making pancakes without mommy and this amazing waterfall! I can’t possibly express how much this has meant to me, not only to see him so happy but all the thought you put in to make me feel better” I said shyly looking down as I ran my hand through the water. “No Jazz, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to spend this time with you guys. You don’t know how much joy this weekend has brought me! Look at me...” he said lifting my chin “You deserve nothing but to be happy and I would do this every day if It meant I could see your gorgeous smile, hear your joyful laugh and see your beautiful eyes sparkle like they are right now” My breath caught and time seemed to stand still. Storm still had his hand under my chin and the electricity igniting from his touch made my heart race. He seemed to be leaning closer and my lips parted yearning for his to touch mine, to connect as we tasted and explored each other. Only inches apart from each other, I forgot everything, I only wanted, needed to feel his lips, taste him. “Mommy I need to pee-pee” Leo’s voice was like a splash of cold water pulling me back to reality! I pulled away from Storm with a jolt and quickly stood up, rushing over to occupy myself with tending to my son. How could I be so stupid! I had vowed to do everything to repair things with Damian and here I was about to ruin it before I even had a chance to fix what I had already done! After Leo was done and we came back to the spot we had been occupying. Storm had already packing up everything. The sadness surrounding him was hard to miss and it tore at my heart. “Uh I should probably get Leo home before it gets too late” I said not daring to look at him. “Yes of course. I understand.” He replied the sadness in his voice hard to miss.  When we got back to the Manor his car was already waiting out front with our bags inside. We drove back in silence, my mind spinning with guilt and still I couldn’t stop thinking how good it would have felt to have his lips on mine. I was snapped out of my thoughts by flashing blue lights. Looking up I realised we had already reached my house, the house I shared with Damian... in the driveway stood a police car that a police man was exiting at that very moment. Storm parked the car looking over at me with concern. Leo had fallen asleep again and I picked him up resting his head on my shoulder as I got out of the car door that Storm was already holding open for me. Making my way up to the front door where the policeman stood waiting. A still calm washed over. “Mrs Keller?” “Yes, evening officer. What can I do for you?” “Mrs Keller perhaps it would be best if we went inside so that you could sit down...” I stood frozen unable to move “How can I help you officer?” I pressed “Mrs Keller there was an accident, some wreckage from your husband’s car were found, it looks like his car may have gone over the edge of a cliff on Gotthard Pass... We haven’t been able to find any trace of him...” I didn’t hear anything else, nodding my head I stepped up to the door of the house “Thank you officer” I mumbled trying to get my key out of my bag. Storm took my bag and opened the door for me. As I went in to put Leo to bed I heard him speaking to the officer. When I came back into the living room Storm was standing there, a look of concern on his face. “Jazz are you ok, is there something I can do?” “No thank you. Thank you for the weekend. It's getting late.” I said blankly showing him to the door. “Jazz” he whispered the pain and concern evident in his voice “Good night” I continued opening the door for him. He stood there seemingly debating with himself before he sighed in defeat “Jazz I’m so sorry. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do...” “good night” I repeated and he left, head down, shoulders slumped and a pained expression on his face. I shut the door behind him locking it and made my way to the sofa. I sat there the blank look still on my face feeling nothing. Why didn’t I feel anything?!