𝐴 𝑊𝑎𝑦 𝐻𝑜𝑚𝑒

The Awakening

Light floods my vision and I jump up in the bed, startled. The movement shaking the sleeping figure next to me awake. I look over and notice a disheveled Alma rubbing her eyes tiredly, still however, keeping her elegant, collected nature.

Alma turns her head to look at me, her eyes widening slightly at my startled state. Alma reaches her hand over to caress my cheek. I momentarily flinch at the sudden action, which doesn't go unnoticed by Alma. "What's wrong dear?" Her hand finally finds its place on my cheek, rubbing tenderly at the flushed skin.

Before I can even open my mouth the tears are streaming down my cheeks like down pour. Alma frowns and wipes several of them from my cheeks. I lean into her touch for a brief second before Alma leans in and gives me a soft kiss on my lips. After a few seconds she leans back and looks back into my (e/c) eyes. "Please.." she asks.

I sniffle and look down at the floor, wiping what was left of my tears when Alma's hand falls down to her lap as it was before. I return my gaze to her sorrowful one, sighing in defeat. Slowly standing up, I announce to the woman sitting on the bed, "We.." I purse momentarily, "Can we talk about it after breakfast, I'm sure the children are starting to wake up?"

Alma's eyes widen softly. I almost didn't notice the way her brows fitted towards each other after my announcement. Alma nods and stands up, straightening her night gown and pulling the sheets back up towards her pillow. "After breakfast, you will tell me, and you will be honest, yes?" She asks me with a cold tone voice.

I nod back to her response and watch as she walks to the master bathroom, carrying her normal everyday outfit. I keep my eyes on her until the bathroom door takes her from my sight. I let out a deep sigh and look out the window next to the bed and watch the birds, waiting for Alma to finish in the bathroom.

Several minutes pass in silence as I continue to bird watch out the window until the bathroom door creaks open, a clean, put-together Alma walks out and drops her night gown into the hamper beside our shared dresser. I return my gaze to her as she walks over to the bedroom door, turning the handle. But before I can stand up to start getting ready for the day, a voice calls out from the doorway.

"Remember. After breakfast. Don't make me regret making this decision Y/N." The door closes softly, not to disturb the children if they are still sleeping. I stare at the door where Alma was just standing at, my mind feeling empty as the thickness of our conversation settles in.

It takes me a few moments to collect my thoughts, I rise and slowly walk over to the master bathroom. I open the door and walk in, looking over at the vanity mirror. My S/C cheeks turn a deep red as I look at a light purple mark on my neck. My cheeks darken as I recall on the way my back felt against the very mirror when Alma backed me against it during our rendezvous a few days ago.

I try and shake those thoughts from my head and focus on getting ready for the day. After I finish getting ready, I walk into the bedroom and exit the shared bedroom. I never have been so afraid to walk down a staircase in my life, until now. I slowly make my way down, avoiding any creaky boards at all cost.

When I make it down to the first floor, I quietly enter the kitchen. I'm met with the quiet chatter of childlike conversations at the dining room table, and a unusually quiet Alma by the stove, presumably cooking.

Walking into the kitchen, I stand by the Island, watching Alma as she (I was right) cooks with a sparkling clean skillet. Alma swirls the beaten eggs into the pan, a soft sizzle resounding as the egg fills in a perfect circle around the skillet.

I'm caught off guard as she turns around, putting the fresh omelet onto one of many full plates. I don't have much time to ponder on how she was so quick with the cooking when she hurries out of the kitchen, setting down plate by plate until the table is full and children are happy.

The children quiet down as I walk into the dining room, quietly munching on their freshly made breakfast. Walking to my seat, I pull out the chair; sitting down comfortably so. As I settle into the plush seating, I notice two piercing eyes locked onto my figure, my head snapping up to look at Alma. Her eyes avert from mine as she looks down, indulging herself into a cup of tea sitting in front of her.

Looking down at my own placemat, I notice a small cup of (Your Favorite Drink) and a plate of (Your Favorite Breakfast Food). My cheeks light up into a soft pink at the silent gesture, feeling alittle less gloomy knowing Alma atleast wasn't mad enough to not fix me a modest breakfast.

Time flies by, all of the children stuffed full, ready for their morning lessons. The children all bring their dishes into the kitchen, Alma standing from her seat to follow them in. The clatter of dishes in the sink and the patter of shoe-clad feet against the linoleum flooring. After all the children rush up stairs into the small classroom, I make my way into the kitchen, ready for questioning from Alma.

I make my way into the now partially empty kitchen, asides from me and Alma who was standing at the sink, washing the dishes in silence. I stand beside the island in the middle of the kitchen, waiting for Alma to finish. My heart races as she begins to hand dry the last plate and silverware pieces, setting them in their respective places in the kitchen. I watch as she slowly turns her head to peek out the door, checking if anyone was around. Alma turns towards me, her eyes on mine. I take a step back, her taking one forward.

My back hits one of the counters, my hands reaching back to steady myself. Alma struts towards me until she's towering over my form. Her hands comes up to graze over one of my sides, along my chest, and up to my jaw where she tilts my head up gently, my eyes gaze onto her own. "Now..", her eyes flick down to my lips, then back up to my eyes, " You made a promise. Keep it quick, the children are waiting." I gulp as her hand holds onto my jaw a bit tighter, knowing I can't get out of this.

"Well..well you see..I suppose it was a dream. Though it felt real..like I was there." I can't bring myself to tell her the rest, afraid she might begin worrying. Never have I wanted to bring more stress to Alma, she has enough as it is to begin with while keeping the children safe. Alma raises her other free hand, beckoning me to continue. "Alma you were frightened awake by something, you were..distant as of what was bothering you. You..you began to tell me..then that when..that's when it got bad Alma..oh it was terrifying.." I look down towards the floor, my eyes squinting softly as I recall the dream.

Alma's grip loosens on my jaw, her hands remove off of me, going to her front cusps them together. "It..can't be helped dear. I'm afraid we'll have to talk a bit later. We have a listener I'm afraid." She turns around as rapid footsteps are heard heading up the stairs in a hurry. Alma turns back to look me in the eyes. She leans in close to me, our chests touching as her hands come up to rest behind me on my own hands this time. "We'll discuss this with Ms. Avocet later..when we can talk freely without being interrupted."

Alma leans away, her eyes still on mine. Her eyes have something deep behind them, something worried and desperate at the same time. I lean forward, unable to resist the urge to kiss her, our lips molding together almost perfectly. Our kiss holds on for a few seconds before it's taken away as Alma pushes back, her hands gowing back to her front. "Later Y/n.." Is all Alma says as she turns and leaves the kitchen, walking up the stairs. Her shoes thumping on the floorboards.

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Wow..its been awhile hasn't it? I just wanted to drop in and say I appreciate all the love and support. I never imagined this story to ever get this much reads, and I'm honored many people enjoy it as much as I do!

I promised you all a new chapter and here it is. It's a bit on the short side, but I promise! More smut is coming up soon. That last part was just a teaser for the up-and-coming scenes!

Anyways, I'll see you all in the next chapter. Until then, I love y'all! Stay safe!❤

P.s. Sorry about the font difference..kind of embarrassing!