Page 86 of Delirium
Birds sang above us,hiding in the trees, their melody following us as we walked toward the green field settled in the middle of the forest.
The clear skies above us seemed to have given me some clarity as well, and for the first time in a week, I felt like I could breathe. The invisible chains that were tightening around my neck had dissipated, leaving me free, and those little flickers of happiness I thought I would never feel, started coming back.
And it was all thanks to him, this quiet man walking next to me, carrying a backpack filled with whatever he and Zoe came up with together. My curiosity was getting the better of me, because I wanted to see what was inside.
Storm’s hand never left mine, and as we descended deeper into the forest, I have never felt freer, ready to get over these things that were hounding us, so that we could live freely, happy. I couldn’t wait to stop with this silly “time” thing I put on us.
It was only hurting us both. Back when he kissed me, I wanted him to keep going, to show me how much he missed me, because I missed him. But I loved him for stopping, for only giving me a glimpse of his need for me, of his love. He didn’t have to say the words. He didn’t need to say anything. I saw it as clear as day—Storm truly loved me, cared for me, and he would do anything to help me.
“I think this is a good spot,” he said as we walked onto a clearing, surrounded by woods from all sides. Kaiser went ahead, sniffing around, rolling in the grass. “He likes it.” Storm chuckled, taking off the backpack he’d been carrying.
He pulled out a red blanket from the backpack and laid it down on the ground, placing the backpack right on top of it. He sat down, looking at me expectantly when I didn’t follow along.
“You coming or what?” he asked, holding his arm up in the air, waiting for me to grasp it and sit down next to him.
I didn’t wait another second and I sat next to him, cuddling into his side, breathing in the fresh air around us.
“It’s beautiful here,” I said, looking around us, paying attention to where Kaiser was. His happy face as he ran toward us, pushing through the grass, was everything I needed today.
“It really is,” Storm added, pulling out the first container from the backpack. My hands itched to see what was inside. I tried to grab it, when Storm swatted my hand, moving me away from the container. “Nuh-uh, not yet,” he warned, laughing at my pouting face.
“But I want to see,” I said. “I’m hungry.”
“Patience, darling.” He continued getting the things out of the backpack, keeping me on the side, far away from the items he kept placing on top of the blanket.
Kaiser sniffed the air, and in a blink of an eye, he ran toward us, stopping next to Storm, trying to push his hand away, sniffing whatever was in the bag.
“If there was ever a question who his owner is, there isn’t anymore,” he grumbled, battling with my little beast. I used the opportunity to snatch the container he placed down first. I didn’t wait for him to see me holding it. As I opened it, seeing all the fruits the doctor recommended for me to eat during the pregnancy, I burst into tears, going for the second container, seeing the small sandwiches he packed.
“Oh, shit,” Storm cursed when he saw my tears, pulling me into him. “What’s wrong? You don’t like it? It’s okay. We can throw it away. We can even go back home if you’d like.”
“I-it’s not t-that,” I hiccupped while tears cascaded down my face. “I love it.”
“You love it?”
“I do,” I sobbed, cradling the container with strawberries close to my chest.
“Wanna tell me why you’re crying then?” he asked, murmuring against my hair. “I’m not sure I can follow.”
“Because it’s so pretty!” I bellowed, unable to contain myself. “And so thoughtful. And there are sliced oranges and bananas, and I just… I just can’t believe you made this.”
“Zoe helped.” He smiled. “I wanted to do something nice for you.”
I looked up at him and without a second thought, I placed the container on the blanket and threw myself at him, my arms wrapping around his neck, holding him tightly.
“I have no words,” I mumbled, pressing my face to his neck. “This is the second time today you’re seeing me cry,” I grumbled. “It isn’t fair.”
“Sunshine,” he purred in my ear. “I would do anything for you. I told you already.”
“I know, but still. You didn’t have to.”
“I know I didn’t have to,” he breathed out. “I wanted to. I hated seeing you sad, and I hated seeing you so afraid. I wanted to give you something. Something pure, relaxed, something where you won’t need to worry about anything.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, pressing my lips to his cheek. “But can we eat now?” I asked, pulling back to look at him. “I’m really, really hungry.”
“Yeah.” He chuckled, taking one of the strawberries from the container and pressing it to my lips. “We can,” he rasped as I opened my mouth, biting down on the delicious strawberry, looking him straight in the eye.
The heat emanating from him enveloped me, keeping me captive. As his face lowered, his lips a breath away from mine, I knew what I wanted.
