Winter (Not Edited)

Chapter 27

In the morning when Winter had woken up, she was sadden to see the sheets around her only held herself.

She grabbed the silky sheet moving it, as to get out of the warm bed.

Winter winced at the sharp pain in her hand. When she had glanced down at her hand, Winter saw it was bruised slightly purple.

She wondered where Emerson was. He never left without giving her kiss. Her eyes watered at the idea of him leaving her.

Why was she being so clingy?

Emerson was sitting at his desk in his personal study. He was battling the conflict within himself. He had hurt her, not intentionally of course. Though it didn't matter. He was going to have to make it up to his baby.

As Emerson continued working the spring birds outside of the estate were increasingly louder as the days went by.

Winter's small feet dragged her down the hall to Emerson's study.

She wondered if knocking would be more appropriate. Winter opened the door silently, her breath was caught inside her lungs. Her heart broke at his exhausted state.

"I know you a-are sorry, p-please come back to bed. I-" Winter's shaky voice was cut off by his sleep deprived one.

Emerson had stopped working the second he saw Winter. He listened to the couple words she spoke.

Instantly, Emerson's grey eyes narrowed in on her hand. The one he had hurt. His eyes widened at the bruise that was forming.

"Come here babydoll. I need to see your hand, I need to see the damage I have caused you." His voice trembled.

In that moment he felt like a monster.

Winter slowly made her way to Emerson. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

Once she was standing in front of him, Emerson took her hand gently. Cursing himself, his warm fingers ran over her discolored skin. Emerson's eyes watered as he brought her fragile hand to his lips.

Pure heat fluttered through Winter's skin. She threw herself at him. Winter hadn't know why she was crying, the only reason had been because of the extreme kindness Emerson had shown her.

His tan arm wrapped itself protectively around Winter.

"It's o-okay! Can we please go back to bed? Y-you need to sleep!" Winter exclaimed as she tried to pull away from the hug.

A strong hand prevented her from moving.

Pressing her face back into his neck. Winter pleaded with Emerson.

"Please-"

"Shhh. I'm going to, but you have to calm down first." Emerson's voice was dipping sweetness as his long fingers danced along her back.

"We will rest for a while. I have a surprise for you." Emerson had an idea of what she would enjoy, a little apology.

He would need lots to repay what he had done, or at least that is what he thought.

"Really?" Winter mumbled as her eyes began to flutter close. Emerson hummed as he patted her back, she loved it.

The sole reason he did anything. So it could please her.

"Yes. Now sleep, my baby." With those final words he was cradling Winter while soft hiccups escaped her pretty lips.

Later on, after he had put her back to bed. He laid beside her. Closing his eyes for only minutes at a time. Until it was closer to lunch time. Emerson wished he had woken her for breakfast, but he wanted her well rested.