I reach for a house coat too, one in the same color and material, and it gleams like pearls under the light.
Stepping into the bathroom, still naked, I find her sitting just like I asked her to earlier. But she’s covering her face with her palms, and small, quiet hiccups leave her.
“What’s wrong?” I say, placing my hand on her shoulder.
“I want to go home,” she cries, and her words break my heart further.
“Thisisyour home.”
“It is not.”
“Dry yourself, brush your hair, and put these on.” I say, not having this discussion with her again. “You have ten minutes. I’ll start the TV and then we’ll put on a movie.”
More cries come as I leave the room andclose the door behindme. Her tears won’t help her get away from me. Nothingwill. Though I know her father is searching for her, they want her back. But I won’t let it happen. No one will take my Anastasia from me.
I put on my sweatpants before heading to the kitchen. I grab some bowls and fill them with different snacks, hoping at least one of them will be to her taste.
She’ll be exhausted after today, and I am not shocked she started crying. I will take care of her when she’s done, or if she comes to me asking for my reassurance.But I will not take care of the tears that long for my brother.
Checking my watch, she has two minutes left as I place all the snack bowls on the table in the living room. I hope she’ll obey and listen to what I say, but I prepare myself for the opposite.
I lie down on the sofa and wait, deciding to trust her. When I look at the time again, she has ten seconds. I count them in my head, feeling anger building up in me.
3... 2...
She walks out at the last second, bringing a smirk to my face. “Right on time.”
Her face is pale, eyes glossy.
“Come closer to me, don’t stand there.” She does as ordered, slowly closing the distance with small steps. I know it hurts her, but she’ll accept the situation soon.
I open my arms and invite her into a tight hug, one hand landing on her back, the other one on her head, stroking her gently. I hold her close and let her feel my warmth, and it doesn’t take long before her arms wrap around me, too. Instantly I’m addicted to the feeling her hug brings. I place a kiss on her forehead, holding her even tighter and never wanting to let go.
I look outside as she holds onto me, the sky is gray and thunder is threatening at any second. The air inside the house is colder than previous days, and I can’t accept the fact that Anastasia will be freezing in the gown I picked out for her.
“Should we start the fireplace?”
“Yes,” she breathes out into my chest, holding back a sob, and the sensation makes my jaw tighten. I don’t let go of her, I let her hold me as tightly as she needs, as I keep holding her in return.
I grab her and lift her into my arms, then I reach some firewood and place it in the fireplace before adding kindling and tucking it in between the wood.
I reach for the matches on the table, press it against its box until it lights up. I throw it into the fireplace and within minutes, flames are burning hot.
“What movie do you want to watch?” I ask her as I sit back down on the couch with the remote in my hand and Anastasia in my lap.
“Harry Potter,” she whispers tome yet again.
“Good choice,” I say and place a kiss on her shoulder. The way she shivers only makes me want to do it again, so I do, placing a kiss just like the other one, but deeper.
She grips me tighter and tries to come closer, like being pressed against me is not enough.
“What are you doing?” I ask, my tone light and playful.
“I’m trying to get closer,” she says, and the giggle that escapes her must be the most adorable sound I’ve ever heard. I haven’t seen this clingy side of her before, this soft, careless and...safe.
I turn on the movie as a laugh escapes me, the smell of burned wood sweeping past my nostrils in the way that makes a room feel just a little bit more gentle.
As I press play, Anastasia’s head turns instantly, like she knows the sound of the movie to the point where she could recognize it anywhere.
