Bruno's Daughter

Chapter 46

Kristi's POV:

 That night, I stayed by my papa's side, sitting on the floor, as he slept soundly on the couch. I sometimes would hum softly, as I played with his hair.

 "Kristi?" I turned around to see my abuela coming up to me. "What are you doing up? It's the middle of the night."

 "I just wanted to stay with him tonight..." I said softly. "I know he's fine, abuela...But..." I sighed. "I lost my papa once abuela...And today I almost lost him again! I just...I don't want to lose him..."

 "I know, Kristi...I understand..." abuela nodded, sitting on the edge of the couch and taking my hand. "He's my boy. My son. And I love him very much, just as you do." 

 "I know, abuela.." 

 "I was indeed hurt when he left. I lost my boy once and I don't want to lose him again. But it does comfort me to know he's going to be just fine." 

 "It is reassuring..." I said quietly.

 "Then what's wrong?" abuela asked.

 I looked over at papa and sighed. "I'm just...I'm scared...What if something happens again?? What-what if he-he..."

 "Shh...Shh...I understand how you're feeling right now, Kristi. I feel the same way. I worry about my Bruno. But he doesn't want us to treat him like he's fragile. He wants to be treated just the same as anyone else here." abuela told me, hugging me. "He knows what he can handle. Sometimes he might not pay much attention sometimes to the signs. He doesn't need to be treated carefully, but he does need his familia's help and support."

 "I wish we knew why he was getting these pains...I mean, he hasn't been having many visions and he said he gets them at random times!" 

 "We'll figure it out somehow, Kristi. I don't know how, but somehow, we will. I promise. We all want to know what's going on. And I am pretty sure Bruno does as well." she gave a small chuckle. 

 I smiled and nodded. "Gracias, abuela..."

 "You're welcome, Kristi." she stood up, putting her hand on my shoulder. "Goodnight, Kristi. Get some rest, alright?"

 "Si, abuela. Goodnight." I replied. I watched as my abuela left the room after giving papa a kiss on the forehead. I looked down at papa and gave a small smile, gently tugging at his hair. "Love you, papa.." With that, I closed my eyes, lying my head down on the couch.

 I don't know how long it had been before I was woken up by a strange feeling. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at papa, who was moaning and groaning, like he was having a nightmare. The strange feeling was probably about the nightmare...

 "What do I do...? I don't know if I can see his dream without my dream corner..." I thought. I thought for a moment before deciding to put my hand on his forehead. I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing. 

 When I opened my eyes, I was back at the picnic spot from earlier. My eyes were wide as I saw myself, Andres, and papa mounting our horses. I was in his dream! How...? Well, anyway, I watched as Andres and I raced off. 

 "Papa, no!" I screamed, reached out for papa, trying to run over, but I failed. As usual when it's a dream....Of course, he couldn't hear me, as he urged Clover forward. "Papa!" I cried, seeing him fall from the horse. 

 How do I end this dream?! When it's my dream corner, I know how! But I've never done this before!

 Before I knew it, the dream had ended. I gasped, panting, as I looked over at papa, who was sitting up, panting. His eyes were as wide as mine.

 "Papa..." I said in a quiet tone.

 "Kristi...? A-are you alright? D-did you have a nightmare..?" he asked, looking over at me. 

 "No....But you did..." he looked at me curiously. "I didn't go upstairs, papa....I stayed here with you...I-I don't know how it happened, but I was suddenly woken up by a strange feeling. It's hard to explain, but I managed to somehow see your dream."

 He looked away, sighing heavily. "Yea....I'm sorry you had to see that..."

 I frowned as I brought his face to look at me. "I'm not...I was scared, of course. But I'm not sorry that I saw it at all..." Tears rolled down my cheeks. "Oh, papa! I was so scared!" I threw my arms around him and hugged him tight, crying.

 "Oh, Kristi...I-I'm sorry...I never meant to scare you..." he said quietly, stroking my hair.

 "Papa, I thought I was gonna lose you..."

 "That'll never happen....I'll always be there for you...." papa whispered. 

 "Papa, it's alright to be scared....If you need to cry, just cry....It's ok..." I said, pulling away from him, but keeping my arms around him. 

 "I-I was scared....I-I am scared...." he said in almost a whisper.

 "Oh, papa...." I hugged him, his head on my shoulder as he cried. "I know...We were all scared...I guess what's important now, is that you're alright....It's ok...Just let it out, papa..."

 We both cried on each other's shoulders, comforting one another. Today was scary...But, at least I still have my papa...

 "I'm sorry, Kristi...." papa said quietly, as we pulled away.

 "It's ok, papa...Really...Just, please, promise me one thing..." 

 "Of course...What is it?"

 "Promise me we won't have anymore secrets. I don't want you to hurt anymore..."

 "I promise, angel....I just...I never wanted to burden anyone with my problems..." papa looked away, sighing sadly.

 "Papa, I would be so glad to bear your burdens with you. You can't continue to bear them alone. Please...Please, papa, let me help you carry your burdens..." I said slowly.

 "Alright, my princess..." he looked at me with a small smile. 

 I hugged him tight before letting him lie down. "Just rest now, papa...I'd say you earned it." I kissed his cheek. "Night, papa.." I smiled at him, covering him with a blanket.

 "Thank you, angel...Goodnight..." papa smiled at me. He soon closed his eyes, falling asleep once more. I held his hand as I lay my head down on the couch, falling asleep.