Guarding Love

Chapter 4 - Panic

A/N - Possible trigger warning and mention of violence. 

"Become a good noticer. Pay attention to the feelings, hunches, and intuitions that flood your life daily. If you do, you will see the premonitions are rare, but a natural part of our lives." – Larry Dossey.

Scarlett POV

In the distance, I can hear thunder rumbling as clouds cover the sky quickly. The world is getting darker and darker as the radiant blue sky disappears. Raindrops begin to fall against the windowpane, pattering against it as they fall. The rain droplets trickle down, leaving thin rivulets of water behind them. Despite the gloomy day, the house is filled with laughter as I chase my five-year-old daughter Rose around the kitchen and into the living room. Her laughter is infectious.

I laugh as we dart around the room and dodge the furniture. Rose's legs pump furiously, and her eyes sparkle with joy as she looks back at me. I swoop to grab her, but she darts away at the last second. Our game takes on a life of its own as we jump over toys and duck under blankets. I catch a glimpse of her broad smile as she runs ahead, and I can't help but feel grateful. I scooped her up and spun her around as she shrieked with delight. I felt a rush of warmth and love for this little bundle in my arms, and I couldn't help but marvel at how fast she was growing up. I barely hear the doorbell ringing in this moment of pure love and connection. Putting Rose down, she runs off down the hallway. Playing chase with Rose reminds me of the beauty and simplicity of childhood, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to experience it.

Before I reach the front door, the doorbell rings again. My hand reaches toward the door handle, wrapping around it. I pull it open. Two military officers dressed in complete number one dress uniforms stand before me. Instantly my heartsinks and a knot forms in my stomach as I prepare for what they are about to say. As if on instinct, my hand covers my face, and tears begin to form. I already know what they are going to say. She's gone... My thoughts go straight to Y/N, our last conversation, and every interaction and memory we shared.

The once cheerful atmosphere filled with laughter turns to sombre and heartbreak. Almost instantly, the rain as it intensifies, and I can see the drops crashing against the leaves of the trees outside, which sway back and forth in the wind as the rain falls.

"Ms. Johansson..." I can faintly hear my name being called. However, the sound of the rain hitting the roof and the pavement ring in my ears as they drown out what the military personnel say.

Rose cries, "Mommy," behind me, but I am still frozen.

"Ms. Johansson." I feel one of the officers place a soft hand on my forearm. The sudden contact—

I jolt awake and bolt upright in my bed. I'm covered in sweat. Every night this week, I've had the same nightmare disturb my slumber. They started a few weeks after Y/N informed me Kel was transferring to Camp Freedom Ridge and James deployed. Being close friends with Y/N, I had grown close to the Williams family, and they accepted me and Rose with open arms. It was hard to imagine holidays or a world without one of them. However, a part of me felt there was something more about the dream I was trying to tell me.

Besides her telling me about James and Kel, we haven't spoken much these past several weeks after the People's Choice Award. I can't help but think I am the reason. Katie has never been my number one fan which I can't entirely blame since our job can involve intimate scenes. Maybe Y/N is keeping her distance because she is trying to reassure Katie that nothing is happening between us.

My ex-husband could never watch films where I was kissing or intimate with anyone despite how unintimate filming those scenes was. Given the type of roles I am given, that meant there were very few movies he would watch of mine. Since we were only together for three years, he only accompanied me to my premiers a few times and very rarely watched my other films, even though he always had something to say about my career. Despite our short marriage, he gave me Rose. She is my whole world, and I can't imagine it without her.