“You call it madness, but I call it love.” – Don Byas

  Antonio

  I had just walked back in with the groceries and lunch I had ordered for Jane, when the sound of the shower reached my ears. I quickly put everything away and the food on the table before I went down the hallway and into the bathroom. I knocked on the door before opening it up steam filled the room.

  “Jane are you okay?” I asked I couldn’t see her completely just her silhouette against the glass of the shower door. She wiped her hand along the glass clearing it so she could see him she nodded.

  “Yes I was just about to get out” she murmured turning the shower off, I grabbed a towel and held it open for her opening the door she stepped out I wrapped the towel around her and grabbed another one and wrapped it around her hair, she smiled up at me a light blush on her cheeks.

  “Thank you” she stood on the tips of her feet to give him a quick kiss before heading out the bathroom into their bedroom. While she got dressed I went to put the groceries away and set her food on the table before I sat at the couch and scrolled through the TV guide. She looked good, healed and from the glimpse he caught of her face thoughtful. I wonder what was going on in that beautiful head of hers Jane had always been so open ever since she was little but he noticed a change in her since his return she was less open, more guarded he saw it in her eyes when she didn’t think he was paying attention showdown and secrets and the part he hadn’t realized hurt was he lost her trust she no longer felt she could share those things with him. I tossed the remote on the couch beside, leaned back I had just closed my eyes when the gentle sound of Jane’s footsteps and her mouthwatering scent teased my nostrils I opened my eyes to see her standing by the hallway entrance she had on one of my t-shirts and pair of white fluffy socks her damp hair had begun to dry to its naturally curly shape she shifted her weight from one foot to the other before she came over to him.

  “hungry?” I asked she opened her mouth to answer when her stomach growled loudly making her blush.

  “Come sit and eat baby” I held a hand out to her, with a gentle smile she took my hand and sat on the pillow on the floor In front of the table, he had gotten her chicken alfredo, garlic bread and salad.

  “ Thank you Antonio” she began to dig in while she ate he scrolled through a few emails and answered the important ones.

  “I’m sorry” I paused and looked up in surprise at Jane’s sudden apology, I sat my phone down.

  “For what baby?” I hadn’t seen that one coming.

  “ For being with you but keeping you at arms length” he hadn’t even gave it any thought that she would pick up his emotions from earlier that was why she had stood in there earlier looming somewhat hesitant to enter.

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  “There are some things I’m just not ready to talk about, but when I’m ready I promise I’ll open up to you” she met his gaze and he saw that she meant every word and that he wasn’t the only one hurting it wasn’t making her feel good to do this to him either and knowing as well as feeling it, he felt selfish and thoughtless.

  “Jane I’m also sorry it’s not fair or me to want things how they use to be and for you to look at me how you use to things have changed, you’ve changed you care so much and the ones you love you put us all first even over your own needs and that has to stop you need to focus on your mental and emotional wants and needs as well okay?” I held her gaze I wasn’t just saying this I was telling her this and I would help make sure she was.

  “Please baby and I here however way you want and need me” I gently touched her cheek she leaned her face into my hand and looked up at me with this beautiful eyes I always lost and found myself in they say windows were the eyes to soul if that’s the case her was absolutely beautiful her eyes changed to a lovely shade of sea foam green as she held my gaze.

  “Okay, I hear you” she finally said I gave her three quick kisses in a row making her laugh before she went back to eating. The air felt lighter and something had shifted in a good way maybe change wasn’t so bad after all.

  “For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.” ― Judy Garland

  Jane

  My father stopped by not to long after I finishes eating, which was definitely a welcome surprise. Although I shouldn’t have been surprised since I was just in an accident he would have been here sooner but he had been out of town and business and had to catch a flight back. Antonio said he had to go to the office to take care of a fee things I’m sure he just wanted to give me and my father some time alone with one another which I appreciated but if I was being selfishly honest I wish he hadn’t left.

  “How are you feeling”? My dad asked his eyes moved restlessly over me while he sat perfectly still like only a vampire could.

  “ I’m good dad, I promise no aches or bruises I feel more tired than anything” just saying that made me yawn and my eyes feel heavy sheesh. I just slept over a day and half you would think that was more than enough rest but I guess not.

  My dad’s eyes softened as he gazed at me he shifted so I was leaning against him I smiled as I closed my eyes thinking back to the days we would just hang out and have daddy, daughter time watching wrestling and doing some wrestling, going on hikes together or laying in the back yard looking up at the sky naming the stars…

  “Which one is that?” my dad asked pointing up I shifted my gaze to the star he was pointing at.

  “That’s Sirius the dog star” I smiled it was beautiful and bright.

  “Correct, ready for bed”? He got up and pulled me to my feet, I poked my lip out.

  “It’s funny how you ask like it’s a question as you lead me to my bed daddy” I said taking his hand in mines he laughed out loud making me smile I loved when I made daddy laugh one of his deep belly laughs.

  “how old are again?’ he asked “you look like a kid but I’m pretty sure you’re almost eighty”

  “ daddy! I’m seven” I giggled he was so silly.

  “I know I’m teasing you” he scooped me up and tossed me into the air I squealed in delight as he caught me and did it one more time before carrying me into the house to my room and tucking me into bed.

  “I love you daddy” I murmured my eyes already drifting closed, he gave me a kiss on the forehead.

  “I love you more” he said solemnly I blinked.

  “Dad? ‘I said my voice groggy he stood over me I was in the bed I didn’t remember falling asleep.

  “It’s okay get some rest Antonio is back” he assured me nodding I closed my eyes.

  “Love you” I told him he gave me a kiss on the forehead.

  “I love you more” was the last thing I heard as I drifted off to sleep.