Jacob put his lips against my forehead, whispering a prayer as I slept, or pretended to. When he was finished I threw my arms around his neck to keep him there.
Ach, Princess. You're breaking my back.
Then stand up.
He laughed and pulled me up against him and then stood up fast. It made me dizzy and I shrieked. He walked us over against the door and slid me up until we were eye to eye. His pale blue eyes were laughing at me.
Now what are you going to do, Piglet? You're stuck here.
I have some ideas.
Oh yeah? He leans in and kisses me. Nice and hard. I can't breathe. It's just the way I like it. Share a couple with me.
I think we should have a vacation.
Where?
On a beach.
Which beach?
Any beach.
Tropical beach?
No, Canadian beach.
Why? He laughs.
They're cold. It's what I know.
This is true. But what are you going to do in the meantime, while you're trapped here?
I'm going to bless you.
Okay, I'm ready.
I reach up to his forehead with one hand and draw a cross on his forehead and I say In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Thank you, he whispers.
Then a hand gently moves across my face to wrap around my head and pull me to the side and I lash out hard, fighting to stay in the moment but then I open my eyes and Lochlan has me pinned against him so I don't hit him.
Nightmare, Peanut?
No! I push off from him and sit up.
What was it?
Nothing. I was just sleeping. Why did you wake me up?
It's getting late. I thought you might be hungry.
Won't kill me to miss a meal, Loch!
It might. Are you even over a hundred pounds?
Maybe you should keep better track if you guys are going to pour drugs into me that make me have dreams like that!
Like what? You haven't said anything. You just woke up murderous!
I'm sorry! I'm just pissed off!
Then I won't wake you up anymore.
It's not that!
Then what is it? I can't fix it if you don't say.
Stop with the drugs. I don't need to be sedated.
You panic and-
And you know what to do. This isn't it. I can't take it anymore.
It's only been a little while, Peanut. Stick it out?
I can't. It's like my personality has changed and I feel so mad and frustrated all the time and the dreams are killing me and-
Okay they stop right now then. Maybe you won't chew my face off anymore. I just want to see you happy.
You make me happy.
I'm so glad to hear that. Sometimes I think the only people you pay attention to are your angels and your devils. It's nice to know I'm in there somewhere.
His relief made me cry but his hug made me strong. It got tighter and tighter and never stopped until I asked to breathe.
Better?
I nodded. Yeah. So much better.
Stick by me? It'll be worth it. He smiled and broke my heart.
