When Night Falls

Slow dance in the rain

We talked all night as we walked along the waterfront and even when he dropped me off home, he called and we just kept talking. What was suppose to be our first date felt like I've known this man my whole life. He's already seen me ugly cry so I can't hide that anymore. Dammit. He was really great company and I'm shocked that I could feel so free and comfortable with him. This wasn't normal. Our conversations went from work to past school life before it slowly made its way back to my family.

"You're raising Sienna to being this amazing girl" he openly said. "She's well beyond her years" I definitely agree. She's so smart and mature, sometimes I find her caring for me more than I for her. "It hasn't been all rainbows and unicorns. No one else was here to witness a little girl crying her heart out for her parents. No one else was here for all the attitude and sass when I wanted her to eat her vegetables. It's been a tricky road but we're finally in a place where if something is up with her, I'm all ears, no questions asked. This girl has been my lifeline as well as my life saver" I realised I was rambling on and he's probably fallen asleep. Go figure. "Just for the record, you're doing great" he finally says and my stomach filled with an immense amount of butterflies.

It was well after 2am when I decided to call it a night, I wasn't about to let this man hear me sleep just yet. But is this really happening? Did I just go on a date with the cop who delivered the bad news about my family? Surely there's something wrong with him? Surely.

With that thought I drifted off to sleep, excited for a well deserved sleep in.

Not.

Instead of getting the sleep in I deserved and like I had hoped, I got an 'urgent' call from Sienna instead."Auntyyyyy! Where are you?" She whined on the phone. Mind you I was still absolutely dead to the world. An earthquake could be happening and I wouldn't budge. "What's the matter honey? You're with Aunty Gina" I mumbled in my sleep. "I had a late night" and instantly her mood switched. "Oh yeeah?" I can hear the cheek of this girl. "Is it because of Uncle Kaden?" Kissing noises inserted. This girl had the audacity to make kissing noises at me. Next thing you know I hear Gina in the background along with some fumbling noise and then "Sooooo?" I can hear her breathing so loudly through the phone I'm embarrassed for her. "So what?" I figured since we weren't in the same house I could tease her a little because I knew she was dying to hear it. "Don't play dumb with me young lady, you know what I mean! You were suppose to call me last night when you got home. I was worried sick, I even messaged Kaden to make sure you got home safely. He said you two got off the phone at like 2 in the freaking morning"
"Gina please I'm still waking up!" I groaned half heartedly. "You're gonna have to wait" I laughed as I quickly hung up. Gina instantly sent a series of texts:

Oh, you got jokes? Better bring that tea today! I mean it! Don't play with me young lady!!!!

I'm sorry! I'm just excited and need to know every detail of this date :)

You know I love you right?!

Okay, I'm getting ready for church but if you do not respond to my text. I'm driving to your house right now!

I knew she wasn't kidding about driving here so I quickly flicked her a message saying I'll tell her after church over lunch. I stopped getting interrogating messages after that. Thank the Lord!

I figured I'd skip church physically today and maybe watch the sermon online while I do a little spring cleaning. My house was in need of a deep clean.

Two hours later, singing my heart out with the worship song playing in the background, my phone cuts the music and my ringtone plays. I rush to my phone to see Kaden's name flashing.

"Hello" I sound so out of breath.
"Hey? Are you busy? You sound busy. I'll call you back lat-" he sounded flustered.
"No, no. I was just cleaning. What's up?"
"Oh, um well. I didn't see you at church so I thought I'd check in and see how you were doing?" That's so nice of him.
"How nice. Yeah, I figured I'd stay home and deep clean my house today. Popped the service on the screen so I felt like I wasn't missing out on anything" what a dork. Stop rambling to the poor man.
"I have Sienna and her cousins and they begged me to bring them over. Is that okay?"
"Yeah sure! Tell Gina she can tag along too if she wants" I laughed because I knew damn well she was standing right next to him listening in on our conversation.
"Like I need an invitation" I hear her yell at the phone.
"So I guess we'll be seeing you in a little bit" he says.
"See you soon" my heart flustered. I was a mess and needed to clean myself up. By the time I had finished, I heard my front door swing open and foot steps running up the stairs. Sienna comes busting through the door like a tornado and tackles me with a hug.