enola_ray-of-sunshine-5

A RAY OF SUNSHINE by Enola <<< Part 4

PART 5

A light rain began to fall as Stacey left carrying her heavy holdall and pulling her suitcase. She had no idea where to go, but, all in all, a place or another would make no difference to her. What mattered was going away from James’s house and away from him. How could her face him again now that he knew what she felt for him? She still found hard to believe she had told him, but after all, she was relieved. Sooner or later her feelings would have come to light one way or another. That hadn’t exactly been the way she wanted him to know, but now it was too late to go back.

Last night had been horrible. She had awoken in the dead of the night; the unpleasant memories of James’s outburst had invaded her mind and she couldn’t fall asleep again. He had got angry with her again but this time she couldn’t blame herself. She was convinced that she had done the best thing leaving James and Erica alone in such a sad day. It was something too much private and she felt like she had nothing to do with it. Why didn’t he understand?

Her heart grew heavy at the thought of meeting him again. She had fallen for a widower still madly in love with his adored wife. ‘They were soul mates,’ had snarled at her his mother-in-law at Erica’s birthday party, ‘you won’t ever take my daughter’s place in James’s heart.’ And she was right. God, she truly was. Amber was pretty, cultured and bright – a doting mother and wife, a superb architect. On the contrary, Stacey felt nothing but a failure; she had dropped school at 16 and had always considered herself stupid. All that she could do in life was babysitting and promoting goods at some shopping centre. How could James fall in love with such a nonentity?

Rain was getting heavier but she didn’t care; her jeans jacket was getting soaked and so her feet that now and then trod in a puddle.
“STACEYYY!” Her disheartening thoughts were interrupted by James’s voice screaming her name in the distance but she just couldn’t stop. She didn’t either want to talk or listen to him. The tube station was nearer and nearer, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t slow her stride although that damn luggage seemed twice weightier.
“STACEYYY!” James’s voice was louder now; he was getting closer and closer. He called her name again; he was right behind her now. She felt his hand grabbing her by the arm and one moment later he was in front of her, red in the face panting heavily.
“Please…Stacey…a car nearly…knocked me down…please…listen to me.”
They moved beneath a shop awning, so she put her holdall down to the ground looking at nowhere unwillingly waiting for him to catch his breath back.

“Stacey I…” he hesitated for a few seconds before speaking again confusedly. “Please, don’t do this to Erica. She needs you,” he paused, “and so do I.” He lifted his hand and fondled her cold cheek, her heart missed a beat. “Stacey, you don’t have the least idea of what you mean to us.” He got closer, leant his forehead against hers and cupped her face in his hands. His warm breath brushed her lips. “You’ve brought a ray of sunshine into our miserable lives. If you left now, we’d feel lost again. Please, stay with us.”
Stacey’s astonishment enabled her to speak.
“Please, say something. Anything.”
“D…do you…do you mind if,” she began stuttering, “we go on with this conversation at home? It’s pouring down with rain.”
James gave a snigger relieved and kissed her on the forehead. He picked up her holdall and wrapped his arm round her waist kissing her on the cheek.

“Oh fuck! We’re completely drenched,” said James when they got back home.
“You definitely a lot more,” smiled Stacey pleased at the sight of his shirt perfectly stuck to his chunky body. She removed her jeans jacket and hung it by the door. Before she could realise it, James was holding her in his arms.
“Who is the most drenched now?” he whispered in her ear rubbing her back slowly. A soft giggle escaped from her month and they kept holding each other in silence for several moments. “I’d keep you in my arms the whole day, but better take these clothes off before we fall ill. Yet, the thought of staying in bed and cuddling up to you is not any bad!”
Stacey sighed as the image of the two of them cuddling together under the covers ran through her mind. “I just feel like a hot bath,” she said pulling back, “and considering that that tub of yours is very huge, I was thinking to share it with you, so we might talk a bit.”
A big grin sprang across James’s face. “That sounds so much better to me,” he whispered. He grasped her hand so they went upstairs smiling widely.

While James filled the tub Stacey sat on the stool and took her trainers off; she gave a grimace of disgust when she saw that her white socks had turned light blue as her shoes. She was disbelieving when she found out that her feet were of the same colour as well. James couldn’t help teasing her when he noticed them and, as answer, she stuck her tongue out at him. He unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall on the floor. Stacey was still sitting and stared at him spellbound by his chunky build. His broad shoulders and strong arms gave her a sense of extreme protection; with those arms around her she had felt safe for the first time in her life.

“You don’t get undressed?” asked James whilst untying his shoes,
“Of course I will…just when you’ll have turned,” she replied blushing.
James raised his eyebrows but obeyed without protesting, so Stacey removed her clothes quickly and entered the tub sighting as the warm water got in contact with her body. James kicked his shoes off and lowered his trousers without turning over. “Now close your eyes.”
“Pardon?”
“You didn’t want me to see you naked, then I don’t either want you to see me. So be good and close your eyes.”
“Okay.” Stacey shut her eyes and put one hand over them telling James he could go on getting undressed. He span his head around to have a look and, finally, he dropped his boxers and joined her in the bath.

He sat beside her and put his arm around her shoulder, so he told Stacey to open her eyes and brushed her cheek with the other hand. When she saw him gazing at her with a lovely smile, she smiled back at him.
“I’m sorry for what I said earlier. I…”
“Shh,” he silenced her placing his thumb on her lips. “You were right. I behaved so badly last night. I was so upset ‘cos I wanted you to stay here with us.”
“I would’ve felt out of place if I’d stayed. Then seeing you so down, I couldn’t have borne it knowing that I couldn’t do what I’d want to. Holding you and let you know that you weren’t alone.”

“When earlier you said you cared for me I believe my heart stopped for a few seconds then I kept still and open-mouthed for a minute or so till a voice inside my head said ‘what the fuck are you doin’ here? Run after her prick!’”
“I know what you mean,” giggled Stacey, “mine stopped too when I heard you screaming my name. I was so scared of what you would say…and it stopped again when you said you needed me. I thought you were just teasing.”
“I wasn’t,” he said with a wide smile, then, all of a sudden, he turned serious in the face. “There’s something you must know even though you might hate me, but I’ve got to run the risk anyhow.” He took a deep breath so went on. “When Erica got lost in the park it’s true that I was very angry at you at first, but later I used it as an excuse to keep you away from me. I thought that it wasn’t fair towards Amber, that it was too soon or something although everyone, Martin, Ruth and also my dad, kept on telling me that I had to look ahead ‘cos there was nothing wrong with it. It’s my fault you lost your job and you were assailed by those thugs.”

Stacey dropped her eyes and didn’t speak at once. “I’ve got a question and I want you to be honest. You want me here only because you feel guilty?”
“No honey, no,” he whispered with certainty lifting her head up. “I want to wake up on morning and find someone next to me. I want to kiss and hold someone on the sofa whilst watching telly. And I want to do all of these things with you ‘cos you’re lovely and ‘cos I’m tired of being alone. I so need someone to love.”
Stacey looked into his sincere gorgeous brown eyes and spoke softly: “Kiss me.”
“Was going to hon,” smiled James. He brushed his lips against hers and her mouth opened as he kissed her tenderly.

“You ok?” whispered James parting, his hand playing with her wet locks.
“Yes.” Stacey sighed with a grin. “Haven’t been so good in ages. You?”
He sighed as well, “Can say the same. Why don’t we go out of this tub? We’ll be more comfortable.”
“Okay, but I’ve got to wash my hair first. Rain’s not any good to it.”
“You’re right. Better wash mine too.”

Having washed his hair, James went out of the bath, wore his bathrobe and went downstairs, so he took Stacey’s luggage to her bedroom. He took out her bathrobe from her holdall and returned to the bathroom where she was waiting for him. He helped her to wear the robe, so he picked her up and put her down on the stool. He then took a towel and started rubbing her long hair dry, but since it still was wet, he finished to dry it with the hairdryer. Her long brown curls were now soft and scented and James loved to run his fingers through them. Stacey stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. She couldn’t realize what was happening yet.

Still wearing their robes, James and Stacey lay in her bed chatting and cuddling.
“I was thinking,” began James playing with a lock of her hair, “that I don’t know anything about your previous relationships.”
“And?”
“And I’d like to.”
“Why?”
“Why? ‘Cos you know I’ve been married and got a child while, as I said, I don’t know anything about you.”
“There’s nothing much to say,” replied Stacey with a shy smile dropping her look.
“Just tell me what there’s to know,” insisted James with a silly smirk. “Come on.”
Stacey rolled her eyes and finally replied, “I’ve got two kind of ‘serious’ relationships. The first one lasted almost one year, the second two and a half.”

“Why did they end?”
“Well, the first one ‘cos, basically, we were too young I guess. I was 21 and he one year older. He liked spending most of the time getting drunk in some pub with his mates. The time he spent with them was twice, or maybe even more, than the time he spent with me. He was quite immature and I wanted more, so we split.”
“What about the second?”
“He left me for one of his colleagues’ husband.”
“What?” James’s eyes widened in shock, “Oh dear! You’ve been left for a man! That’s absolutely crazy!”
“Sad but true. It was hard to accept at first, but in the end, I did. We’ve kept friends even though I haven’t heard from him in ages.”
“I can’t say I’m sorry. Obviously, I’m sorry he hurt you, but you wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
“That’s very nice.”
“I don’t know you, but I’m tired of chatting,” he whispered capturing her mouth in a passionate kiss.

Slowly, his hand pulled her bathrobe open exposing one of her breasts. She moaned into his mouth when his fingers gently played with her nipple which got harder. Soon his warm wet lips replaced his fingers making her blurt out incomprehensible sounds as he sucked at it tenderly.

“Stacey…I want to make love to you,” he said softly looking into her eyes.
“Sure you really want that? Because we can wait, there’s no need to rush things.”
James kept staring at her for a few moments in silence. “Yes, I’m sure.”

Resting his head over Stacey’s belly, James looked at her enraptured.
“How do you feel?” asked Stacey fondling his cheek.
He sighed. “I’m floating on air. Know what I mean?”
“I think we’re floating together then!” giggled Stacey, “So you aren’t repented?”
“Not in the least! Actually, I have some regrets. I should’ve listened to Ruth when she said that I’d been a fool ‘cos you were just perfect for me and for Erica.”
“That’s what she said?”
“Yep. She’s very fond of you. I look forward to seeing her face when she’ll know.”
“Do you think that Erica will be happy about us?”
“Happy? She’ll be in seventh heaven! She adores you, or better still, she worships you!”
Stacey’s cheeks coloured at James’s words. “Now you’re exaggerating!”
“Not at all, she truly worships you,” grinned James.
“It makes me very happy, but I’d rather she didn’t know about us, not at once.”
“You know what this means? That we’ll have to pretend in her presence. I don’t think I’ll be able to…I mean, we won’t be able to kiss and cuddle…”
“I know that it won’t be any easy but it’ll be just for a while. You’ll have to resist baby. Do it for me.”
“Ok, I promise I will, but I’m not sure if it’ll work out fine.”

“I’d like that you talked to me about your mother. I don’t mean now, but I’d want you to sooner or later.”
Stacey sighed thoughtfully. It was fair, he had to know and there was no reason why she had to delay this moment. What he had known from Erica, that she and her mother had argued and didn’t speak to each other any longer, wasn’t the truth. Her mother, or rather, the woman who delivered her at 16 years of ages, had never cared about her. Stacey had been raised by her grandmother, since her ‘mother’ had always considered her the ruin of her life. She, her biological mother as Stacey called her, spent most of the time out drinking and, only God knows what else she did. It was no wonder that she never said who Stacey’s father was, because, probably, she neither knew.

“One night, when I was nearly five, their arguing awoke me. I got up and saw that she putting her clothes inside bag and said she was going to live with a guy she’d known for a while. The next morning she left and I’ve never seen of her again.” Stacey had managed to speak without shedding a tear, but James could see that her eyes were full of sorrow and grudge. Not knowing what to say, he tightened his arms around her kissing her forehead. To Stacey, that hug meant more than one thousand words.

“What about your grandma?”
“She died four years ago. She was a strong woman, unwilling to show her feelings. She never said she loved me but I know she did in her own way. She worked hard the whole day so we never spent too much time together.”
Now he understood why she was so sweet to Erica. She knew very well what growing without a mother was like. “What did you do after school?”
“I got back home or went to a neighbour’s, an old woman too nice and kind,” smiled Stacey at the thought of her, “she had no one else, so she always said that my company made her feel a lot younger and full of energy. It was her who’s taught me the violin. One evening when I was 13, before I got back home she put the violin into its case and said, ‘I want you to keep it. I don’t need it anymore.’ She died that very night.”
“You mean that the violin that got smashed by those two offenders was the same she gave to you?”
“Just that unfortunately,” she replied pulling a sad face. “The most beautiful thing I have ever been given.”

All of a sudden, James jumped out of bed saying he would be right back, he put his robe on and left the room. He returned one minute later carrying a big rectangular red box tied with a white ribbon.
“That’s my and Erica’s present for your birthday,” he said putting the box down over the bed. “I know it’s next month, but I think you can have it at once.”
“Ok,” smiled Stacey in excitement, she untied the ribbon and lifted up the lid. “OH MY! I can’t believe it!” she cried putting her hands over her face when she saw a violin case inside the box.
“C’mon, open it!” urged James impatiently with a sweet smile.

Taking the violin case out of the box wasn’t easy since Stacey’s hands shook uncontrollably. Her eyes shone as she finally opened the case.
“I know that’s not the same violin but…” James couldn’t go on because Stacey had thrown her arms around his neck and had planted a kiss on his lips.
“Thank you. It’s beautiful. I don’t really know what to say.”
James rubbed her back and kissed her again. “You’re welcome honey. You’ve got to thank Erica first of all. One day, when I was taking her to school she said, ‘you knew daddy that’s Stacey’s birthday within six weeks? I’ve thought about a perfect pressie for her’ so I said, ‘really? That’s nice. What about it?’ and she ‘a violin!’”
“That little girl is just a gem!”
“Don’t be surprised, she’s got my genes after all!”

“Why don’t you play me something? It should be tuned already.”
“OK!” Stacey took the violin and rubbed the bow against the strings. From the expression on her face, James understood that she wasn’t satisfied with the sound of it. In fact, she put the bow down and tuned the violin again and again before she said pleased, “It should be okay now!” She moved her hair from of her shoulder and put the violin in position and, eventually, began to play closing her eyes.

James couldn’t help but to clap his hands as she finished and Stacey thanked him taking a bow.
“You’re a rather fine musician,” he grinned stroking her soft cuddly hair,
“Thanks! Said from an extraordinary guitarist, plus fair pianist and bassist, that sounds like the best of the compliments.”
“Extraordinary guitarist plus fair pianist and bassist?”
“That’s what your daughter says about you. Do you know how proud she is of you?”
“Ehm…” he giggled embarrassed lowering his eyes.

Having made love again, James kissed Stacey on the neck. “Remind me to buy Ruth a present,” he murmured in between.
“Why?”
“’Cos in first place she convinced me to call you to babysit Erica,” he said still kissing her on the neck, “and then ‘cos she’s taking her for the weekend, so we can stay in here all alone.”
“Let me remind you that we’re having lunch at hers on Sunday.”
“Oh, God no! I forgot about that.” James pulled back and rolled his eyes. “We can make up an excuse and stay here,” he smirked.
“Oh yes! And you really think that Ruth won’t suspect anything knowing that none of the two of us is going?”

James buried his face in her shoulder and snorted in annoyance. “Just come to mind that I’ve got to see Martin tomorrow in the morning.”
“And I’m working at that restaurant till late in the evening.”
“Great! We can say goodbye to our weekend then.” James lay down and rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then he propped himself on one elbow, “Don’t go to work, so we can spend some time together.”
“I have to. I know washing dishes is not anything exciting, but it seems one among the best things a dumb like me can do, so…”
“Please Stacey don’t you start now,” protested James going into a sitting position. “I know what you’re doing and I don’t like it. Please, don’t compare yourself to Amber. I’ve never done it and I never will ‘cos you’re a different person and I fell for you for different reasons. I’d want you to understand this.” He folded his arms against his chest and stayed silence looking at nothing for a while. He bent and kissed Stacey’s hair, then looking into her eyes, he whispered: “I love you the way you are and I just want you to be yourself. Always.”

Being both starving, James offered to prepare something to eat, so Stacey could relax and have some fun with her new violin. Around 6pm she went downstairs but he didn’t allow her to enter the kitchen. For half an hour she watched telly on the living room growing more and more curious about what James was doing in the kitchen since he had shut the door and she could hear nothing. Eventually, he came out saying that everything was ready. The table was set nicely, a lit candle stood right in the middle and the smell of food was delicious. Stacey wrapped her arms around his neck and burst into tears. James held her in his arms and let her weep.

James took his coat off and sat down in an armchair in Martin’s lounge.
“How’s Erica,” asked his manager handing him a coke.
“She’s fine. She was a bit down the other day, but she’s better now.”
Martin nodded his head sympathetically. “And Stacey?”
“She’s fine too.”
“Nothing else?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I think you know but, as usual, you hide your head in the sand. Don’t forget that I know you very well James. You like her, and before you interrupt me, don’t try to deny it ‘cos it’d be pathetic and useless.”

James was going to burst out laughing and admit that Martin was right and that he was madly in love to her. He wanted to share his state of complete bliss with his friend, but he’d promised Stacey to keep their relationship to themselves for a while and he didn’t want to let her down.
“Martin, I thought I’d been clear when Stacey came to live at mine. I asked you the favour not to interfere in my business. In any case, you’ve got to know that she’s seeing someone.” James hoped that this would bring the subject to an end, but on the contrary, he’d only added fuel to the fire.
“That’s understandable considering that you haven’t taken a step yet. Tell me what she should do…”
Martin went on speaking and telling his friend off. James listened to him in silence biting his bottom lip cursing the moment he hadn’t kept his mouth shut.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he left Martin’s house. As he’d believed, pretending with his friends wasn’t any easy and he looked forward to telling everyone he and Stacey were a couple. As soon as he got back home, he took Taylor out, then he spent the afternoon working at a couple of songs, watching a footie match on telly and reading the final four chapters of a book. Stacey was going to work until 11pm and he was going to fetch her since he didn’t like the thought of her getting home alone. He was having a fag out of the restaurant when she came out and walked along to him with a huge smile. She wrapped her arms around him and pleaded with him to take her home straight away as her legs could no longer support her and a nasty backache was killing her.

Once at home, he took her coat off, picked her up and carried her to her room, as she was half asleep, and laid her down gently on the bed. He undressed and tucked her up kissing her sweetly and wishing her a good night. He sat in bed for several minutes watching her sleeping unable to give up smiling. He looked back on the time he’d wasted ignoring his feelings for her and couldn’t help calling him a fool. She was absolutely adorable and everybody was right in saying that no other woman could have ever cared for Erica more than her. Something else was equally certain: he would have never had a relationship with someone whom his daughter wouldn’t like because her happiness came first. Besides, he was happy if she was. He couldn’t help but to feel lucky. The young woman asleep before him was just a ray of sunshine.

James and Stacey hardly spoke to each other at Ruth’s and didn’t sit close at lunch. At the beginning, Ruth didn’t notice it and, they were both relieved, but, in the end, she realised something was wrong and asked for an explanation. Stacey looked at James and said,
“I think it’s better she know.”
James stared at her confused. “I thought you wanted no one to know, I really don’t understand you.”
“Know what?” inquired Ruth intrigued going to sit next to Stacey.
“Nothing that important,” began Stacey and at that very moment James flashed a scowl at her. “We had an unpleasant argument a few days ago,” she added before James could say something which would ruin her plans. “We’ve made everything clear, we’ve both apologised for the things we said, so there’s nothing to worry about that.” She turned to James and went on, “’Cos everything’s ok, isn’t it?”
James smiled relieved. “Yes, Ruth, don’t worry about that. As she said, everything’s alright.”

After some minutes, James excused himself and left the room with the pretext of a smoke. Thirty seconds later Stacey got a text to her mobile.
‘Baby u r a genius! But I cant go on any longer. Im dying to kiss u!!!’
Trying not to smile too much, she replied: ‘Im dying to kiss you too hon, but we have to b strong!’
‘I CANT!!!’
‘Idea! Tell ruth u have to see martin. Go home n call me when u r there.’
‘Im speechless! And I repeat, u r a genius! Luv u xxx’

Strangely, Ruth was pleased that James had left. She made boil more water for tea and filled her mug and Stacey’s, then she sat down and asked, “What do you think about my beloved brother-in-law?”
Stacey almost spluttered her tea over her friend’s face. “Uhm, I…well…I” It was as if her mouth was filled with something which didn’t allow her to speak.
“Come on,” smiled Ruth tenderly, “you can tell me. I can keep a secret!” She winked patting her hand affectionately.
Stacey took a deep breath. “James is nice, well, he is when he wants to but…the problem with him is that sometimes…well, sometimes he’s practically unbearable, he’s moody and I hate when he’s grumpy.”
“I know what you mean,” laughed Ruth sipping her tea. “But, apart from his bad temper, what do you think about him as a man? Well, I mean if you find him attractive and stuff.”
Stacey looked around, her hands wet with sweat. ‘James where the hell are you? Call me!’ she thought. “Well, James is rather good-looking,” she said scratching her forehead nervously, “and he’s…”

A mobile rang.

“It’s mine!” cried Stacey happily. “Yes?”
“Hey babe I’m home!” said James in a very sexy voice.
Stacey shivered at the sound of it. “Yes, it’s me! Who’s speaking?”
“UH? What the hell…”
“OH MY! Jack? It’s really you?”
“Who the fuck is Jack?” asked James getting annoyed.
“Oh Jack, I’m so pleased you called. How long haven’t we seen each other? Two years?”
Now James was laughing. “You’re incredible!”
“Yes, I’d love to see you again too.”
“I’m here baby, hurry and join me!”
“That’s a lovely idea! See you in 20 minutes’ time, ok?”
“Look forward to it love.”
“Bye!”

“Sorry Ruth, it was an old friend and…”
“You’ve got to see him. Don’t worry, I understand. I’ll drive Erica home later.”
Stacey stood up and smiled. “Thank you! That’s very nice.”

She rushed upstairs where the kids where playing at some videogames and told Erica that she was going out for a couple of hours, but she would find her home when her aunt would drive her home. Erica nodded her head smiling and gave Stacey a hug and a big kiss before she left.

As Stacey stepped home James tightened his arms around her from behind making her startle and kissed her under the ear. “At last!” he whispered.
She turned over, so they kissed with passion. “Call Ruth and tell her my mobile is off and you need to speak to me!”
“Uh? Why? She knows you’re with…uhm…what’s his name? Jack?”
“Do it.”
“Ok!” James entered the lounge and took his phone. “Hey Ruth, I’ve tried to call Stacey but her mobile’s off. Can I speak to her?”
“I’m sorry, she’s not here. She’s got a call from some friend of hers half an hour ago and she’s gone out to meet up with him.”
“I see. By the way, what time are you driving Erica home?”
“Uhm, around 6 I think. Is it ok?”
James glanced at his watch. 4:10pm. “It’s perfect. Thanks Ruth. Bye.”

He wrapped his arms around Stacey again. “We’ve got almost two hours before Erica gets back.”
“Let’s rush upstairs then,” murmured Stacey with a grin.

“Hey? Where are you going?” protested James as Stacey tried to get up. “It’s just half five.”
“I know, but I want to cook something special for Erica since we haven’t spent much time together lately.”
“Oh! That’s a lovely idea. Just more kiss before you go.”
“No kiss, you could keep me in bed until Erica’s arrival,” said Stacey getting dressed.
“James burst out laughing. “You know me too well already!”

Erica fell asleep eventually. James brushed his lips against his daughter’s brow one more time, turned off the lamp on her bedside table and left the room closing the door slowly. Stacey was in the kitchen finishing the washing up. James took out a bottle of red wine from the fridge and took it to the living room with two glasses. He sat comfortably on the sofa and waited for Stacey to join him. In the meantime, he opened the wine and filled both glasses, then he had a sip of it. Five minutes later, Stacey sat next to him and he handed her the other glass. They interwove their hands. Just a couple of sips and Stacey was already feeling dizzy. Moments later James was over her kissing her passionately, his hand slid perilously beneath her top.

“James…Erica might…” mumbled Stacey trying to stop James.
“She’s sleeping, don’t worry.”

“Daaaaddy!” One minute later they heard the child’s voice upstairs. James got up quickly and saw his daughter in the middle of the stairs holding one of her teddies.
“Darling? What’s up?” said James sweetly going to her.
“I had a bad dream!” she answered almost in tears.
James picked her up and held her tightly stroking her long hair. “It’s over now angel. Daddy’s with you. You don’t have to be scared.”

He put her to bed again and waited for her to fall asleep. When he left her room Stacey stood on her bedroom threshold. He hugged and kissed her. “She’s asleep again.”
“It’s too risky James. Better go to sleep…me in my bed, you in yours.”
“But honey…”
Stacey silenced him with one more kiss. “Good night baby.” She entered her room and close the door.

James stood still staring at her room’s door for a while and was about to open it. Then, he turned around and went to his. He could cope with it for one night. Besides, tomorrow was Monday and Erica would be at school. Morning was going to be all theirs.

Part 6 >>>

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