Chapter 12 Getting out of line #4
Thankfully, Emett starts talking shop again and we all get lost in the conversation.
I’ve never had a better time talking about hockey as I do now. Even Seth adds a comment here and there, but it’s evident tonight was rough for him.
It’s rough on all of them.
Every time he coughs, or the spoon falls from his grip, both Aurora and Emett rush to help.
“You know, that last save was just luck!” Emett concludes, and then his eyes light up. “Speaking of luck!” he announces and immediately scrambles out of his seat, running.
A second later, he’s back, in his hand is a small teddy bear dressed as a hockey player he hands to me. The soft material of the toy well-loved and well cared for. Clearly, it’s one he loves and plays with a lot.
“Who’s this?” I ask.
“This is Lincoln. He’s my lucky teddy bear. Mommy got him for me.” I pass the toy back to him, and Emett gives him a squeeze.
“Wow, that’s pretty cool.”
“Mm-hmm. Now he’s all yours.” Emett thrusts it right back into my hands. “He’s going with you.”
“He is?” I look down at the bear and back at the little guy sitting next to me.
“Yep. You clearly need some luck in your life right now, Mr. Brick, so you can have Lincoln, he’ll make sure you win your next game.” Emett leans in, whispering, “Don’t worry, he won’t tell anyone. He’s really good at keeping secrets.”
Emett smiles and goes back to eating, but I’m stuck.
I’m frozen in place, staring at the small, plush toy in my hands. My eyes lift to find Aurora’s already on mine, watching me carefully.
“Th-thank you,” I clear my throat. “I’ll take really good care of him.”
“I know you will.” Emett smiles and finishes his soup. “I’m all done, Mommy!”
“Good job, Superman.” She ruffles his hair affectionately. “Do you want to go play for a bit before we take a bath?”
“Yep.” He jumps off the chair, running back into the living room where a small toy box is tucked in the corner and takes out a few cars as I stare down at the teddy bear I’m still clutching.
No one’s ever given me anything like this. I mean, I had toys growing up. Actually, any and every toy imaginable but nothing like this.
Never anything that meant something. That was loved.
“I think I’m ready to go back to my room,” Seth croaks, and Aurora immediately gets up to take him. With a last parting look that holds that silent promise I made him, he disappears down the hallway.
By the time Aurora comes back, I finish the soup and take all the plates to the sink.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” She tries to take them out of my grasp, her dainty fingers grazing my arm in the process and we both freeze.
Does she feel that too? That shiver that ran down my spine at her mere touch. She must because she quickly retracts her hand and uses it to tuck in a wayward strand of her hair behind her ear.
Maybe she thought it was a distraction for herself, but not me because now the curve of her neck is borne to my eyes. Every inch of her porcelain skin and beauty mark that runs down the slope.
Fragile. So, fragile.
I can see the pulse of her heart beating in that vein, and I want to taste it. I want to feel it, hear it. Is it really there? Is it the same as I remember?
For a split second, the darkness of my past comes barging in, bringing back the memories and poisoning my thoughts but it’s as if she can feel it. She can feel the change in the atmosphere and turns her head, her green eyes locking on mine, and now all I see is my ray of sunshine.
My lychik, chasing away the storms.
The urge to kiss her, to feel her warmth against my skin is so strong…
Aurora breaks eye contact, letting her hair loose once again, and I clear my throat as if that will somehow clear the thoughts I’ve had. Thoughts that are now implanted into my brain.
“Thank you for dinner,” I tell her.
“Oh, that, it was nothing special. Just soup and Emett talking your ear off.” Aurora bites her lower lip, waving me off.
“It was the best dinner I’ve had.”
A soft blush colors her cheeks. “Well, I guess we won’t invite you over for that shepherd’s pie then.”
“Why?”
“Because if you thought this was nice, you might go into food coma then.” A teasing smile tugs on her lips, and I let out a chuckle.
“Maybe I’d like to take that chance.” My feet take a step closer.
“Careful, Mr. Brick, you’re living a life on the edge there.” She rolls her lips, hiding her smile and pushes off the counter before I can respond with anything other than another chuckle.
“Emett, honey, can you say good night to Severin, please? We need to go take a shower.”
Emett looks up, his brows pulling together. “But I don’t want him to leave yet.”
“I know, but we’ve already stolen his whole evening.”
“Can he put me to bed tonight?”
“Emett—”
“I’d love to,” I interrupt before Aurora can send me packing.
“You don’t have to. Emett is a big boy—he understands.”
“Aurora,” I stop her, and she looks at me. “I’d really love to. If that’s okay with you.”
“Please, Mommy. Pretty please.” Emett pulls his lower lip in a mock pout, and Aurora gives in instantly.
“All right.” She clears her throat. “The bathroom is down the hall.”