One Wild Night

973  People?

Andy returned home from Aurora's bridal shower with a spring in her step, her heart still buzzing with the fun and laughter from the day.

Aurora's bridal shower was the best she had ever been to, and seeing all the wonderful gifts that everyone had presented to her, she was glad that she had decided to shop with Lucy and the others for gifts else she might have just gotten Aurora a vibrator like she did to a friend in the past.

Thinking about how shocked everyone had been back then made her giggle to herself. She picture imagine how shocked and mildly embarrassed Jade and Lucy with their delicate sensibilities would react to something like that. She was certain that someone like Sonia would laugh and even commend her.

She grinned as her mind swirled with thoughts of family and friends, but mostly. It had been a lovely day, but she was eager to get back to her quiet space. She was hoping that Alex would be there since she had been expecting him all day.

She reached for the doorknob, and as the door creaked open, she noticed something that stopped her in her tracks— the lights were on.

A rush of excitement shot through her as she called out, "Alex!" Her voice carried a mixture of joy and surprise.

At the top of the stairs, Alex appeared, his tall figure silhouetted by the soft glow of the hallway lights. His hair was slightly ruffled, and he wore the same calm, composed expression she knew so well. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

He raised a finger to his lips. "Shh, keep your voice down. People are sleeping," he said softly.

Andy blinked in confusion. "People?" she asked, her voice dropping to a whisper as her curiosity piqued.

Alex gave a slight tilt of his head toward one of the rooms down the hallway, and it was in that moment she realized what he meant. Her eyes widened in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. "No way," she gasped. "You brought Mari?" Without waiting for a response, she hurriedly slipped off her shoes and raced up the stairs.

When she reached the top, Alex met her halfway, and she flung herself into his arms, wrapping him in a tight embrace. He responded in kind, holding her close, and for a moment, they stood there, just enjoying the quiet intimacy of being together again.

His lips found hers, kissing her long and deep, a kiss that made her melt into him, everything else fading into the background.

"I missed you," she breathed as they pulled apart, her forehead resting against his.

"I missed you too," Alex replied, his voice deep and warm, filled with a quiet intensity.

Andy looked up at him, her face lighting up with a smile. "I want to see her. Where is she?"

With his hand on the small of her back, Alex led her down the hall toward one of the guest bedrooms. The door creaked as he gently pushed it open. There, nestled under the covers, was little Mari, fast asleep, her dark curls spilling over the pillow. Andy's heart swelled at the sight, her lips curling into a tender smile.

"She looks so peaceful," Andy whispered, her gaze softening as she watched the child breathe in steady rhythms.

Alex stood beside her, his eyes also fixed on Mari. "She's been out like a light since we got here. She was so hyper about leaving the island, but I didn't tell her we were coming to see you," he said quietly.

Andy grinned, "Well, I love me a good surprise," she said, and Alex smiled.

"It's her birthday tomorrow," he said, and Andy's eyes lit up.

"Oh! That's wonderful. Why didn't you say anything before?" She asked, and Alex gestured that they step out of the room to talk.

Andy stared at Mari for a moment before they quietly retreated from the room, closing the door softly behind them.

"Mind if I invite my nephew over? He has been sad about losing his best friend. I think he will be happy to meet Mari. She doesn't have friends her age too," she said, but Alex said nothing.

Although he didn't mind Mari meeting Jamal, he couldn't help being cautious. Sensing his hesitation, Andy leaned into him, "We don't have to invite anyone over if you don't want me to," she assured him.

"It's not like I don't want it. I want her to have a normal childhood," he assured her.

"And you also want her to be safe. I get it," Andy said as they made their way to her bedroom, her head resting on his shoulder.

"I also want you to be safe," he said softly.

"Yeah. I know that," she said, and once inside her room, she turned to him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, what about Susan? Did you leave her alone?"

Alex smiled faintly. "She's in the room opposite Mari's. I brought her along too."

"You brought Susan as well?" Andy's eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"Yeah. She would never agree to be separated from Mari," Alex said, rubbing the back of his neck as they sat down on the bed.

"I thought about what you said, about letting Mari experience the world outside the island. It made sense. I want her to have a normal life, to know what the real world is like. I won't always be there to protect her, and she needs to learn how to handle things on her own when I'm not here," he said, and Andy's heart warmed at his words, but she couldn't help the hope that bloomed inside her.

"Does this mean… you'll leave her here? Will you stay here too?" She asked, and Alex shook his head slowly, his expression soft but firm.

"I can't, Andy. It's safer for everyone if I don't stay in one place for too long. But I'll visit often, and I'll have people keeping an eye on you and Mari. I'll make sure you're both safe."

Andy nodded, though she couldn't hide the slight disappointment in her eyes. She understood, but that didn't make it easier. "As long as Mari is here, I know you'll always come back," she said softly, her fingers brushing against his hand.

He smiled, pulling her closer. "You're right. Now I have an excuse to always come back."

As they settled deeper into the bed, Andy looked up at him with a playful smile. "If you had come in yesterday, you'd have met a full house. I had my girlfriends over for a sleepover," she said, and he chuckled.

"I know."

"You do? How?" She asked, and he eyed her with amusement.

"Do you really think I don't have people keeping an eye on you?" He asked, and her mouth rounded with surprise.

"Why? To protect me or to know if I'm cheating on you?" She asked with a teasing smile and he smiled.

"Maybe both," he joked, and she laughed softly.

"So, when did you get here?" She asked curiously.

"We arrived not too long ago. We would've surprised you earlier, but you were out having fun," he said, looking down at her outfit.

"Yeah. I had lunch with my family and then I went out with the girls for a bridal shower. It was really fun," she said with a wide smile, and Alex smiled, happy to see that she was living a normal life.

"So, have you eaten?" she asked, glancing toward the door as if ready to rush downstairs and fix him something.

"I have," he reassured her, squeezing her hand. "Don't worry about me."

Andy smiled, her thoughts turning to Mari again. "I'm really happy you brought Mari here," she said, thinking that maybe Jamal and Mari can become friends.

Jamal had been sad all day because of the news from Kimberly and she believed that friendship with Mari might be good for him.

Alex nodded thoughtfully, leaning back against the headboard. "Maybe you can invite your nephew over tomorrow. This will be a fresh start for her, in a way. I hope they do become friends."

Andy rested her head on Alex's shoulder, content with the moment. "I'll take good care of Mari. She'll have a normal life here, I promise."

"I know you will," Alex murmured, his fingers running through her hair. "That's why I trust you with her. You're the best thing that could happen to her."

"I'm glad you think so. I need to get out of these clothes and freshen up," she said as she rose to undress.

After she freshened up, they lay in silence for a few minutes, the quiet joy of their reunion settling over them. Andy's heart was full, knowing that even if Alex couldn't stay permanently, he was trying— for Mari, for her. And that was enough for her.

As her eyes began to droop with the weariness of the day, Andy felt a sense of peace wash over her. "I'm glad you're here, Alex," she whispered.

"I'm glad I'm here too," he replied softly, his voice barely above a whisper as he kissed the top of her head.