Those Violet Eyes

The Lake house

Everly 

I softly pull the door closed behind me. A tiny click lets me know it is done. I let out a sigh, it has taken almost an hour to settle baby and get him to sleep. I turn and make my way into the small living room where aunt Lily has a warm fire started. I sit down in an armchair, as my body sinks into it, I realise just how tired I am. It's been a long night, even though I slept in the car on the way my nerves are still shot, and I can feel tears ready to burst forth if I let them. Aunt Lily had draped a throw over the chair, I tuck my legs up under me and pull the throw over myself. The soft fabric brings a small amount of comfort. Slowly I try to relax, we are out of danger for now. 

"What did the police say?” I ask through the throw that’s now covering half my face, I peer over the top of it at Aunt Lily. 

“There was no one at the house when they got there, but both houses have been ransacked. They said there is nothing they can do tonight, so they are going to send a team in the morning to have a better look” she explained coming to sit in the chair next to me. I have so many questions running through my head, I can't get them in order to ask. 

"Who do you think they were? Were they actually after us? What did they want? Why us?” I babble feeling my emotions getting the better of me again.  

“I really wish I knew the answers love” aunt Lily looks at me and I can tell she is on the verge of tears as well. I feel selfish and silly, she has been so strong all night while I have been like a terrified child needing to be comforted every few minutes. She hasn't slept yet and the drive alone took three hours. We called the police not long after we left the house. They had been in contact with us on and off throughout the night, giving us updates, but they hadn't found anything helpful. I messaged Ash and the girls letting them know where we were heading. Charlotte is on her way to the lake house now and the others are coming out in the morning.  

“Right love let's go get some sleep” aunt Lily announces lifting herself out of her chair, I don't argue as my body is aching for sleep. I look over at a small clock on the bookcase across from me, it's just before 3 am.  Charlotte should be here in about an hour but there's no way I could stay awake much longer so I start to lift myself out of the chair. Aunt Lily must have read my thoughts 

"I'll let Charlotte in when she gets here, go get some sleep before the baby wakes up again.” She adds giving my arm a squeeze on the way past me to her room. 

"Thank you, aunty, thank you for everything” I place my other hand over hers on my arm, she gives me a soft smile and heads to the room.

Lifting myself slowly off my chair I wrap the throw around my shoulders and head to my room. I don't have any memories of the lake house but aunt Lily says it's been in our family for a few generations now. It is exactly what you picture when you think of a little lake house. A small wood cabin with a large porch wrapping around it, rocking chairs with tartan cushions placed in pairs to soak up the views. Nestled in a grove of trees but with a clear view over the water. There is a little jetty shooting out into the clear calm waters, perfect for jumping off as a kid. The inside of the cabin is much the same. Lots of wooden furniture and old soft fabrics. The open fire crackling away is enough to warm any heart. I can definitely picture myself curled up in one of the armchairs with a good book in front of the fire. 

I slowly open the door to my room hoping not to wake the baby. Once inside I can't help but make my way to the port-a-cot that was thankfully in the trunk of the car when we lift the house. He is sleeping so peacefully. It melts my heart. I crouch next to the port-a-cot just to take in the sight of him. Soft curls of bright crimson cover his whole head are like nothing I have ever seen before, I just want to run my fingers through it. His sweet little face relaxed in sleep reminds me so much of Arwen it almost hurts to look at him. He must smell my milk cos he starts to stir in his sleep, not wanting to wake him I run and jump onto my bed. Squeezing my eyes shut really tight I listen to see if he has woken, after a couple of seconds with no sound I open my eyes and peer over at the porta-cot. There's no movement and I let out a relieved sigh. I strip off my clothes and put on an oversized t-shirt before I sink under the blankets. I'm asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.  

The sun is just coming through the windows when I am woken by soft cries, I throw the blankets off and walk over to pick up my son. I try to soothe his cries as I make my way back to the bed to feed him. lightly running my hand over his little head, tiny violet eyes trying to focus on my face as I softly talk to him. I adjust myself on the pillows and lift my top to feed my son as a small knock on the door sounds through the room. 

"Come in” I call. Charlotte pokes her head around the door. 

“It's ok he's already awake,” I tell her and she lets out a breath she must have been holding, before opening the door wider and coming into the room. She sits on the end of the bed, folding one leg underneath herself. 

“Are you ok?” She asks with real worry on her face as she looks between me and the baby. 

“Yep, it was a crazy night but we are good, tried but good” I give her a soft smile trying to reassure her. 

“I just got a call from Alexie, She and Lee just went to your place. The cops wouldn't let them in, but they said it looks a real mess from what they can see. What happened?” She explained twisting her fingers together before looking up at me with her big blue eyes, looking like a Disney princess. I centre my emotions, square my shoulders and tell her everything. Aunt Lily coming in while I was in the shower. The men breaking into her house, then into mine. How we managed to get out through the back. This reminds me I need to let Lexie know I have her car. By the time I'm finished I can see tears welling up in Charlotte's eyes and she is sucking in her bottom lip, she really is adorable for a grown woman.  

We sit and talk while baby feeds then make our way out to the living room. Aunt Lily has made coffees and breakfast. She still looks tired but better than last night.  

"Come sit and have so breakfast” She announces holding her hands out for the baby. I start to argue but she just lifts her eyebrow at me and I know it’s a battle I can't win, so I pass her the baby and make my way to the table. Charlotte is already pulling out a chair. 

"This smells amazing aunt Lily” her hands wrapped around a cup of coffee as she sits down, smelling it like it is the last coffee on earth. Aunt Lily settles into a chair with the baby on her shoulder, gently rubbing his back in small circles. I sit down and look at the table full of food, scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and bananas.  

"What time did you get up aunty?” I question now giving her the eyebrow. She just shrugged a little. 

” I couldn't sleep, had to keep myself busy” she admitted she rubbing circles on the baby's back. I want to be mad at her but right then my stomach started to growl, I was starving and the bacon looked so good. I can't stay mad at her as I start filling up my plate. A few minutes pass in silence as Charlotte and I fill our faces.

"Have you thought of a name yet?” The question comes out of the blue, I stop mid mouth full. Aunt Lily now has the baby cradled in her arms in front of her, looking down at his sweet little face. He is wrapped in the cream blanket from out of my mother box, his bright red hair glowing in the morning sun coming through the window. I still can't believe he is mine. I have a son. I know every new parent thinks they have made the most beautiful baby ever, but seeing my son glowing in the sunlight I'm sure there really is something extra special about him, something almost magical. I finish my mouthful before I answer.

“I really don't know what to call him, nothing seems to fit” my heart breaks a little as the other reason settles over me. 

“I never imagined I would have to name my baby on my own" I confess, aunt Lily just nods and looks back down at the baby in her arms, Charlotte is looking at me with those big watery eyes again. I have tried to think of names, but every time I do I think of Arwen and I end up a balling mess. Just like now, I can feel the sadness creeping over me. Why is life so unfair, to find love and lose it in a day. I know that sounds crazy, to fall in love with someone I just met but every part of me longs for him. I would give anything to see his face again.

We are all sitting in silence again, lost in our own worlds. When a knock on the door brings us all back. 

“I'll get it” Charlotte is up and running to the door before Aunt Lily or I could reply. No one except my friends knows where we are, so it's no shock when Charlotte opens the door and they are all standing there. Ashlyn is the first one through the door, she makes her way straight to me and pulls me out of my chair wrapping me in a bear hug. There's no fighting her, I just wrap my arms around her and take the hug. It's everything I didn't know I needed right now. I feel my body relax into it. A second later two more pairs of arms wrap around us as Lexie and Lee join the hug. I feel Lexie's head come to rest on my shoulder. I am so grateful for these people. 

Over the next few hours, the feeling of dread that had made itself at home in my soul was slowly lifting. I decided to take a walk outside to get some fresh air. I make my way out on the pier overlooking the water. It's late in the afternoon now and the sun is starting to fall behind the hills on the other side of the lake. The sky is filled with beautiful pinks and oranges. I cool breezes makes me pull the throw I have wrapped around my shoulders a little tighter. I can't shake the feeling that something is coming, something big.