Part: 4

Viaje POV:

Managing to push past the crowd, I yanked her into my arms and held her tightly, afraid that this was all a dream and that I would lose her. When the car screeched by until it was silent, I pulled back to check her, making sure she wasn’t injured. My heart sank, every time she was stricken with fear, she’d close her eyes and cover her ears, she looked as if she was on the verge of shattering. I clutched her helplessly, trying to ease her angst. “Oh thank God!” I cried out of breath from the run I had endured. “You’re alright!” I hugged her tighter, letting my tears finally spill over as I noticed that I wasn’t dreaming. She was safe and in my arms, but I couldn’t help but wonder… which one of us was on the verge of shattering.

Pulling back after noticing that she hadn’t responded, I opened my mouth to ask if she was okay, until everyone who was on the sidelines cut in. “Are you alright?” They asked in a worried tone. Seeing how pale she was and how distant her eyes looked as she gave a subtle nod to their responses, made my heart break in two. It wasn’t hard to tell that she was certainly in shock. Getting annoyed by everyone crowding her, I was about to shout at them when her friend quickly cut in. “Give her some space!” She touched her arm softly. “She’s in shock.” As she searched her eyes she asked “Do you want to sit down?”

Watching my wife closely as she shook her head “No… I’m fine.” She said weakly, trying to convince her friend that she was alright. Her friend nodded, and I could tell we were both on the same page, we didn’t trust a single word that came out of her mouth. She turned away but her gaze lingered on her for a few seconds more before settling her attention upon the crowed that hurdled around the car that had almost hit my wife.

“How is the driver!?” She yelled towards the crowd, to which the person who had gone and check, ducked out from beneath the car and frowned as they shook their head.

My mind raced. “That’s not…” right… I mumbled to myself. That certainly didn’t make any sense, how could they…

“Hmm? What did you say?” My wife asked with concern as she broke me from my troubled thoughts.

Peering down at her paled expression, I couldn’t bring myself to continue letting her worry. I shook my head and decided to tell her when the time was right. “It’s nothing.” I held onto her even tighter. “I’m glad you’re okay though.” I said as my heart began to feel at ease as I subconsciously touched her belly, lost in though. “You and the baby.” I said a bit absentmindedly.

“How did you…?”

Realizing what I had said, I pulled back and tried to think of something as to ease her mind. Managing to finally thinking of something, I quickly responded. “I…Uh… of course I would have noticed!” I chuckled nervously. “I noticed your strange eating habits, your cravings and the fact you haven’t touched your favorite bottle of wine in the fridge.”

Her face turned a deeper shade of russet. “And here I thought you didn’t love me anymore.” She said shyly.

I was at a loss for words “Why would you think that?” My mouth responded before my brain could stop it. Mentally kicking myself due to old habits, I already knew the answer… and she was right, my actions have been rather…disengaging.

“You’ve been so busy lately that you barely have had any time for me, I tried getting your attention but you never seemed to notice.” She responded quickly, with a strained expression and watery eyes, that made my heart want to crumble.

“I’m sorry.” I sighed and touched her hair like I used to. My heart swelled up at the simple touch, not knowing how much I missed this… how much I missed her. “I may have been working too much but I’ve always paid attention…like the new highlights you put in your hair and that you got it Layered…You look stunning and I’ll tell you this from now on.” I said honestly. Seeing the shy look on her face as she twirled a lock of her hair, I couldn’t help but want to promise her the world. I lifted her chin. “I made a promise didn’t I? Since the day we got married… and I’ve meant every word.” I said sternly, hoping to convey to her that this time I’ll make it right and that I will surely protect her by any means necessary. Not waiting for a response, I leaned in and pressed my lips onto hers. With the reality of this kiss, my heart burst with joy and I felt as if everything was finally right in the world.

Reluctantly pulling away from her, I turned towards her friend. “I’m going to take her home now.” I said, not wanting to risk another moment apart from Zinnia.

She nodded in agreement and turned her attention back onto Zinnia. “Go rest and we will see the movie some other time.” She said with a voice full of concern.

Hurriedly, I grabbed her hand and lead her back to my car. She quietly followed, not saying a word, even for the short journey home, she hadn’t said anything. I was worried for her and was glad to have taken the rest of the day off. I turned to ask her what was wrong, until she looked up at me and grabbed my hand. “Please watch a movie with me.” The tightness in my chest melted and I gave her a nod. Knowing what she wanted to watch didn’t bother me like it use to, if anything I would have killed for this moment and I was glad to get it. Although I wasn’t a big fan of chick-flicks, because it was Zinnia, it didn’t matter. I hugged her tighter as we watched the movie and ate some popcorn, seeing the smile on her face, I felt much more at ease.