‘And to top it all off you manage to look gorgeous whilst doing it.’ There perfect, that’ll surely make it all better and it was all said with the whole-hearted truth.
‘Why are you here?’ Isla asks.
‘I erm…’ My turn to be speechless by the looks of it.
Why was I here?
I’d wanted to see her and after thinking over anything Isla might need, I’d been excited to tell her about our future together, but now that I’m here it looks pretty presumptuous of me. ‘I wanted to talk to you, see how you’re doing. We’ve not managed to speak alone since I found you.’
‘Found me?’
I nod, ‘I’ve been trying to find you since the day I first saw you, princess.’
I’ve practically torn myself apart this winter looking for her, worrying for her safety and well-being during such a brutal winter. Each night of heavy snowfall or freezing temperatures, I found myself begging any entity that might be out there to keep her safe. And if any of them listened, I imagine I owe a great debt to them for doing just that.
I’d pay it, though. I’d do anything they demanded if it meant this incredible woman who holds my soul would be safe.
Isla begins to speak and my heart hangs in the balance, waiting in anticipation but the sound of the door opening and two sets of footsteps entering after blows any hope I had for getting an answer from her. Any thoughts and feelings she may have confessed to me have been locked back in the vault of herheart; it’s clear by the way her longing expression has switched to one of reserved blankness.
‘What are you doing in here?’ Ruaridh’s accusing tone pierces through the air.
I sigh, looking upward. One full conversation with her, that’s all I want. Just one uninterrupted conversation.
‘None of your business, asshole.’ Isla answers for me as she glares daggers at her brother.
‘The place looks good, Isla.’ Fauna’s cheeriness contrasts with the other two tones, and I find myself appreciating her at least trying to help lighten the mood.
‘Why’d you move shit around?’ Ruaridh asks me, accusation heavy in his tone.
Isla scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. The motion causes her top to stretch across her small bump and my heart swells.
Our baby, my child is in there. She is growing a part of me, creating a life that is made up of the two of us. Isla is the most incredible woman I have ever had the privilege of being in the presence of.
‘You would assume it was him, wouldn’t you?’
‘Well who the fuck else would it be?’
‘Ru,’ Fauna warns.
Vish told me how protective he was over his sister but I didn’t think he was an idiot with it. Being protective is one thing but babying a grown woman is another.
Isla points her index finger at herself. ‘Me.’
Ru rounds on me. ‘You let my pregnant baby sister rearrange an entire room of furniture by herself!’ He roars, his face turning an unnatural shade of red again.
Oh fuck. I can’t do anything bloody right.
‘Oh no you don’t.’ Isla steps between us, protecting …mefrom her brother's wrath, and I can't help but feel a bit smug about it.
Ru’s eyes narrow on my face, reading my thoughts perfectly. I’ve never been too good at hiding my feelings, always an open book for everyone to read. Something that has gotten me into a bit of bother in my lifetime. But fuck it, this is brilliant.
‘I wanted to do this, me.’ Isla continues waggling her finger at a pissed off Ruaridh, his anger fully directed at me, never Isla. Good. Because if it ever were directed her way, brother or not I wouldn’t be responsible for my actions, he would have brought them on completely himself. ‘Anyway, I don’t need this idiot’s help.’
Eh? Why’s she attacking me now — she’s supposed to be on my side.
Ruaridh’s expression is the one to grow smug now.
‘Prick,’ I mouth but he only grins, waiting for Isla to continue.
