A Little Bit Married

Bon Appetit

I put Kris in bed, then slowly tucked him in. I sat next to him, my fingers gently running through his silky hair, my smile small. He really was the carbon copy of Gray, and I wondered how anyone would want to kill a child like this in such gruesome ways.

Maybe I was wrong about him being collateral damage in the fire that had been aimed at Aunt Althea. Maybe... just maybe... the fire had been meant for him, and Aunt Althea had been collateral damage.

It still didn't make sense, however. Why did it have to be at Aunt Althea's house? No one even knew the shelter he was in. Let's be a little rational, but they could have killed him in there, and neither I nor Gray would know. Gray hadn't even been aware of his living arrangements until yesterday because of the fire. Why would this person do something that could...well, be unsuccessful, just like in this instance when he had easier options?

I stood up and locked the door before walking towards the bathroom. I let my mind wander a little as I took in the massive bathroom, the round black bath, the glass shower cubicle. Gray was right. The hospital bathroom was nothing compared to this.

I shook my head, then slowly walked towards the bath. I filled it with water, my mind occupied with the questions I had no way of answering, my eyes staring off at nothing.

"Are you okay?"

I gasped, losing my balance where I was sitting on the edge of the bathtub and fell right into the water that I had just filled it with. I pushed myself up, my eyes wide with shock and surprise, my heart beating wildly in my chest.

"You know I can't swim!" I yelled, but it only made Gray laugh harder.

He cane over, helping me out of the bathtub, his eyes filled with amusement. "You are so clumsy."

I gave a small scoff. "I locked the doors. I wasn't expecting anyone."

He raised a brow. "Have you forgotten who owns this house? My iris can open it from outside. "

I nodded. "Point taken."

He laughed again, then turned to me, the amusement disappearing from his eyes, as he took a step closer.

"That must have been scary, Angeline. "

I nodded. "It was, but at that point, I was only thinking of Kris. He deserves a full, long life, and I won't stand by and watch some scoundrel snatch that away from him."

He smiled, gently cupping my face. "Have I told you just how much I admire you?"

I raised a brow. "Am I that pretty?"

"You are, but you have also mamaged tonremain steadfast when even I broke down and messed up. I hope you know just how much I appreciate you for that."

I smiled, nodding slowly. "As long as we are all safe and happy, Gray. Honestly, just that."

He kissed my forehead, then turned to the bath. "How about we let that be and go down for dinner? We can take a bath after dinner."

My eyes immediately widened, my treacherous little heart going on a crazy overdrive.

"W... we?"

He nodded like it was the most normalthing in the world, his hand reaching for mine.. "Mhm, we. Let's go."

I nodded, a little numb as he pulled me out of the bathroom. He picked Kris up, who was already stirring out of his sleep, and then grabbed my hand again. He led us downstairs to the smaller dining table in the kitchen, and he handed Kris over to me while he took care of the quick pasta he had made.

It smelled absolutely perfect, and I smiled, turning to him.

"I didn't know you could cook."

He simply shrugged. "Survival skill."

I smiled as he put a plate in front of me, a smaller plate for Kris, and a plate for him. He took out wine and filled our glasses before sitting adjacent to me, his eyes dark as he slowly raised his glass to me.

"Bon appetit."

Weirdly, something in the hue of his eyes made me think he wasn't talking about the food only.