I'm Yours (Sequel to "You're mine")

Chapter 140: Intimacy

Talia's POV

I was happy to be back home, back where I belonged, back with my family, and friends. But somehow, I was also scared to be back. I was scared to fall back into the darkness, into the pit.

I knew I had the support of Leah, Heather, and Eva. But I couldn't help to feel scared, to feel vulnerable.

People tell you to take your time, especially when it comes to your health. But how can I take my time when life doesn't wait? I have to feed my kids, get them clothes, stuff... I have to keep the electricity going, pay the bills... How can I take my time when there are so many things requiring my attention?

At night, I lie awake, thinking about all these things. Somehow, when I was at the center, I simply didn't think about all of that. It was almost as if the distance made those things not exist. But now that I was back, I couldn't look away anymore.

I have to go back to work... I concluded.

_______________________

Worried and still tired, I sat at the table downstairs. I had put everything on the table for breakfast. I was waiting for Leah. The boys had breakfast already, and were watching TV.
I could hear them, laughing, at the cartoons they were watching. That laughter was yet another reminder of how I needed to take care of them.

"Good morning," Leah arrived, she leaned in, kissing my forehead. She then sat down and looked around. "Did you have breakfast already?"

I shook my head. "I waited for you."

She smiled. "Thanks."

I nodded.
We had breakfast together. We'd make small talk, mostly about Leah's work day. She'd fill me in on what had happened at her work these past few months. I don't know why but, at that moment, I realized she was an adult. She no longer was that shy teenage girl I met, she was a responsible adult. And I had to smile at that realization.

She smiled back. "What?"

I shrugged. "I'm just happy to be here with you."

She smiled more, a slight blush appeared on her face.

I looked down. "Leah," I gulped. "I've been thinking."

I didn't see her face but I could feel how the atmosphere changed. "About what?"

I wanted to share all my thoughts and feelings with her, it's what I had learned. But I won't deny, it's not that easy... I looked at her, seeing the worries in her eyes. "I've not been sleeping well."

She frowned a bit. "T," She scooted closer. "What have you been thinking about?"

I gulped. "I was out a few months, I had time to think about myself and to take care of myself," I said, gaining a nod from her. "But now that I'm back," I paused briefly. I sighed deeply. "Life doesn't wait around," I said. "I have to get back to work so I can help you support our family."

The look in her eyes changed completely. Instead of saying something, she simply reached out to me. She held my hand in hers, gently caressing it.

I looked at it, and smiled.

"I know how hard society can be," She nodded. "It's true, life doesn't wait around for you to get better."

I shook my head.

"But you are allowed to take your time and find peace before you're thrown back into the rush."

I looked down. "But I need to - "

"You need to take your time," She said. I looked back up at her, seeing her smile a bit. "I know it's typical of you to forget about yourself and support me and the boys," She squeezed my hand a bit. "But let us support you now."