A few minutes passed and I could feel her breathing easier. “Do you feel better?”
“Only because you're here. I was so scared. I was back at the house with...He was hurting me like he used to. It was so real.”
“Well, I promise you, it was just a nightmare. You're safe, with me.”
She nodded against my chest, and it was like I could feel the tension melting off her body.
The room was silent for several minutes other than the air conditioner kicking on and Duke’s tail swishing on the floor. She tried to hide a huge yawn, and I brushed her hair out of her face. “You ready to try and sleep again? I'll be right there, in my room, if you need me.”
She shook her head, still nestled against my chest. “Can...no, never mind.”
“No, what? What were you going to ask?” I tilted her chin to look up at me, keeping my voice low in case part of her mind was still being held by the nightmare.
“It was silly. I was going to ask if you could stay with me.”
“Heck yes, I'll stay. If it makes you comfortable, I'll do it so you can sleep peacefully. Be right back.” I left the room, realizing I probably sounded more excited than I meant to.Dang it.I grabbed the blanket from the couch and walked back into her room, leaving the door cracked so the living room light could still shine through.
I started to sit in the chair next to the bed when she gave me a perplexed look. “Wait, what are you doing?”
Before I could say anything, she continued as if she had read my mind. “I meant you could stay with me. Here. You can be on the bed so you're comfortable. I trust you, Ranger.”
I didn’t answer at first because I was in awe of how brave she was. I probably waited too long to answer because her face twisted in the cutest way, indicating she thought I would feel uncomfortable with her idea. She was so wrong. More time with her in my arms, sleeping next to her, it was all I have ever wanted. I immediately hated myself for thinking that.She doesn’t need that right now.
Her voice interrupted my thoughts. “Unless—does that make you uncomfortable? I was just—”
I smiled at her, but then looked at the bed she was in. “One problem. Your bed is a twin. I won't fit.”
She giggled which was music to my ears.
“We can always stay in my room, if you're comfortable with that.”
She bit her lip and thought about it for a second. Timidly nodding, she got up and put on her slippers, then followed me to my room. She froze at the door of my room, eyes darting around. “I'm so sorry, maybe this was a mistake.”
“Rae, honey, I promise you, I will not do anything to make you feel uncomfortable. I can still sleep in the chair or on the floor of your room if you want.”
She shook her head and went to the opposite side of the bed from me and got under the covers.
My heart melted at the sight of her in my bed.She trusts me enough to be in the same bed with her, even if it’s just us sleeping next to each other.
“Oh, wait. I'll be right back,” I said, then walked out of the room. I walked back in carrying the little night-light from her room, plugged it in, and crawled back into bed.It wouldn’t hurt to have an extra one in here.
I was careful not to crowd her. It was a king-sized bed, but she had gotten comfortable closer to the middle than I expected. Suddenly, I felt her arms wrap around me, and she placed her head on my chest. I froze, not expecting this.
“Why are you so nice to me?” Emotion laced her voice.
I moved my arm so it wrapped around her, and I pulled her a bit closer. I thought about how to answer that question, instead of just blurting out how I really felt, as I ran my hand through her hair. With my other hand, I rubbed her arm that she’d wrapped around me, knowing this was a move she was comfortable with.
“You deserve to be taken care of, Sunshine. You deserve to feel—” I paused as soon as I heard her snoring. She was still snuggled up next to me with her head on my chest, and she was snoring. The thought of her being comfortable enough to sleep brought a smile to my face.
Emotions ran through me.
You deserve to feel loved, Sunshine, and I am going to make sure you know how worthy of love you truly are.
