Promises
1244 Words
Caspian’s Point of View
Jasmine’s eyes fluttered open, sleep still in them, as a knock came at the door.
“Mommy? Daddy?” Lilliana’s tiny head peeked through the doorway, and we both sat up, smiling at her.
“Good morning, beautiful,” Jasmine smiled as our daughter climbed into bed between us.
“Good morning,” She yawned and snuggled under the covers, promptly falling asleep.
Jasmine rolled over, draping her arm across Lilliana to reach my chest.
“I love you,” She mouthed.
“I love you, too,” I grinned, leaning forward to kiss her forehead.
This was it. This was paradise.
Cherry’s Point of View
Another month passed, and I was starting to move on. They say that time heals all wounds, and it was at least soothing mine. My heart ached a little less when I thought of Jacob, although there was still a dull twinge of pain when I thought of him. I was convinced the pain would never entirely go away, but it no longer felt like my soul was being crushed every time I tried to breathe. I could get through this.
Landon provided an excellent distraction. It had been two months since I started seeing him, and I was planning on introducing him to JJ and Ruby the following evening. To them, their Daddy received a good job opportunity overseas and had to take it for the better of the country, and we had to stay here for work. It was a fairytale, painting their father as an honorable man who would do anything for the greater good. I may have known the truth, but that didn’t mean that they needed to hurt along with me.
Saturday evening came, and I rounded up the twins, hoping to wrangle them into their best behavior.
“Ruby, JJ, tonight there’s someone special I’d like for you to meet.”
“Mama, is it a boy?” Ruby asked, eyes wide.
“Yeah, Mama,” JJ mumbled. “We don’t like it when you’re alone. Is it a boy?”
Stifling my laughter, I simply said, “Yes, it’s a boy.”
“What if we don’t like him?” Ruby pouted, her eyes starting to water. “I don’t want a evil stepparent like the movies.”
Biting my lip, I thought of the best way to answer their questions. “If you truly don’t like him, we will send him back. This is just for you three to get to know each other. He’s not going to be replacing anyone, okay?”
“Okay, Mama,” JJ smiled as he spoke before stomping his foot in determination. “We’ll be nice. But we won’t be as nice as if he was Papa, and we won’t like him as much as Papa, either, so don’t ask us to!”
“I wouldn’t ask you to,” I said, forcing a smile. I wasn’t so sure I would ever feel the same way for anyone that I’d felt for Jacob, either. Still felt, if I was being honest with myself.
Memories came rushing back. That first night we’d really gotten to know each other on the roof, the first time we made love. The moment we found out we were pregnant. The first time I trusted him enough to call him Daddy. That slice of heaven was over, and I held no illusions about ever being that happy again. At the end of the day, it was just that - an illusion, too good to be true.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Brushing my hair back, I stepped towards the door, taking a deep breath before opening it.
Landon stood on the other side, as sexy as ever with his dark hair slicked back and a bouquet of roses in his hands. I smiled and took them - deliberately pushing aside all thoughts of how Jacob would have brought me sunflowers mixed into the bouquet - and shut the door behind them.
“Ruby, JJ, this is Mr. Landon. Landon, this is Ruby and JJ.”
“It’s very nice to meet you two!” He said, blue eyes smiling as he crouched down and shook their extended hands. They clearly meant business.
“Mr. Landon, what are your detentions with our mother?” JJ crossed his arms over his chest and I stifled a snort that threatened to escape when Landon looked at me helplessly.
“Intentions,” I whispered. “He means intentions.”
“Oh,” He winked up at me before turning back to the twins. “Well, I really like your mom, and I just want to make her happy. Is that okay with you two?”
“Yes,” Ruby said before leaning closer to him and whispering in his ear. Landon nodded seriously, clearly understanding her request and agreeing to it. I couldn’t help but wonder just what she was telling him, but I figured I’d find out sooner or later.
“You have to tell me, too. Keeping secrets is mean!” JJ yelled. Ruby leaned into him and whispered into his ear, his eyes going wide when he heard what his sister said. He gave Landon an approving nod before turning towards me. “Okay, Mama. We’re going to go play with Lilliana. We like him, so you don’t have to get rid of him!”
As they ran off, I looked towards Landon, who took my hand.
“What did they say?” I asked him, caught up in the warm blue tones of his eyes.
“That is top secret information, Ms. Hudson,” He teased, brushing his nose against mine. “I’ll be drawn and quartered if I spill the beans.”
Rolling my eyes, I playfully swatted at his shoulder while he laughed. “Fine, I’ll tell you. They made me make them a promise.”
“Oh? Let me guess, you have to build sandcastles with them every time they ask?”
“No,” His eyes turned serious for a moment. “They made me promise not to leave you like their father did.”
“Oh.” I looked away for a moment, lost in thought, before turning back to him. “And you agreed to this?”
He nodded, not a shred of humor in his eyes. “Cherry, I love you. I know you aren’t ready to say those words back, but you are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. Whenever you’re ready, just know that I’m here, and that I’m not going anywhere.”
As he took my hand, I felt a spark run up my arm. “Landon…”
He shook his head. “You don’t have to say anything, Cherry.”
“You make me really happy, Landon. I know that I’m falling for you, but I’m just not quite there yet. Promise you’ll stick around until I am?”
“Promise.”
This time, I didn’t think of all of Jacob’s broken promises. This was a man who’d never made me doubt him. This was a man I believed with my whole heart.
Jacob’s Point of View
“Cherry..” I groaned, reaching for her around me. I felt like I’d drank an entire bottle of whiskey myself the night beforehand. Finally, I felt her; warm and right beside me. Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her close, trailing my hand down her smooth, flat stomach. Except it wasn’t flat - it was curved and full, round with a child. Still half asleep, I struggled to collect my thoughts amongst my pounding headache. “Babygirl, when did you get pregnant?”
“How many f*****g times do I have to tell you? My name is not Cherry, it’s Valentia!”
My eyes flew open, a dark haired and terrifyingly beautiful stranger in front of me. Her dark eyes scorched mine, and smoke enshrouded me, darkening everything as I became prisoner to her once more.
- Writer
