Bound to Forever - Book ll

Worry

I'm sorry this chapter is so short! I'm working on another chapter as I publish this, and I'm aiming for it to be longer, but I at least wanted to give you all something to look forward to! This weekend has been pretty crazy...

*

Simon's Point of View:

Johnny and I never spoke a word about what happened at the spa. In fact, the pair of us acted like we were traumatized. The house was quiet when I arrived home, and it made me nervous considering it was only eight-thirty in the evening, but when I walked in to see the twins sleeping peacefully in their beds, I knew that they had gone to bed early, which was rare given their age, but it happened often.

The sun was setting in the distance, leaving a warm hue with a calm breeze throughout the valley, and when I followed the warm scent of Kiera's new air freshener coming from our bedroom, I followed the smell like a moth to the flame. She was sitting on the balcony, a wool blanket draping her shoulders and a mug of hot tea clasped in her hand, Stella cooing calmly in the bassinet that sat just next to the door where Kiera could keep her within earshot.

"Care for some company, love?"

She flashed me a warm smile before gesturing to the chair next to her, another mug of hot tea sitting on the table between our chairs. She knew I would be home in time to enjoy tea with her, and her love language was not only touch, but acts of service.

It really is the little things.

"Look at you, babe. You're glowing," She teased. "How was your spa day?"

"Not bad if I have to admit, that was until the masseur thought Johnny and I were a couple." I scoffed.

"Well, to be fair I probably would've too if I didn't know you," She teased, those perfectly white teeth beaming at me and those hazel eyes bright in the evening sun. God, she's so beautiful, and I'm the luckiest man in the world. "Do you at least feel better though?"

"I do, but I probably wouldn't do it again," I chuckled. "I only like you rubbing on me, not some other man."

"I could only do so much to get those knots out of your back, Simon. If I didn't make you an appointment, you would've still been waking up in your sleep because your back hurts."

"Yeah, those little hands of yours can't handle the tension in my back," I chuckled, my eyes narrowing when I realized that she was nearly nude under the blanket except for her favorite sleep shorts, but her torso was completely nude. "Love, why are you nearly naked? Too hot today?"

"I fed Stella right before you got home, and I've been having hot flashes on and off all day. Figured since Baler is down at the barn and the twins fell asleep, I could sit out here and enjoy myself with the nice weather and not feel bad about it."

"I'm surprised you're not out here completely nude like you used to." I chuckled, watching her raise her brows before she adjusted the blanket over her shoulders and slowly standing to her feet, her face rising to a smile before she lowered herself to straddle my lap, her arms wrapping around my neck while her fingers ran through my hair.

"That was before I got these scars on my back." She sighed, leaning in to press a soft kiss to my lips, and I could taste the green tea she had been drinking on her lips.

"Nothing wrong with them, love," I whispered into her jaw, slowly pulling the blanket down to rest against her lower back, knowing she loved to sit outside without clothes on. Though she hated the scars on her body, she was comfortable in her own skin. "I know you're comfortable now, yeah?"

She hummed in agreement, nuzzling her face against my neck, her body melting into mine as she craved my warmth. My hands ran up and down her back, fingers feeling the bumps and ridges of the scars that littered her back, each feeling a reminder of how I almost lost her while we were on duty, but also a reminder of how hard she fought in that hospital.

"What're we going to do, Simon?"

"Don't you worry. I'm going to figure this out and hopefully soon."

"You always do, babe. I'm just scared of what could happen now that we have kids. I want to focus on our family and raising our kids instead of worrying about someone coming after us—"

"You don't have to worry about that, sweetheart," I assured her with a gentle kiss to her collarbone.

"I'm always going to worry, Simon. Jacob and Evie came up to me and asked if we could get chicks so they can raise their own, and I want to do that for them, but a part of me is so terrified that something is going to happen to our family."

"Well, then I guess we need to make a trip to Murdoch's sometime soon then, huh? I'm sure they'll love it."

"How about we go this weekend? You're off work, aren't you?"

"Yes, but it depends on if I get anything new with your mum's case, especially since Jenkins was killed, too. Someone is getting nervous, and I'm doing the best I can to figure out a solution and fast."

"Just... please let me know, okay?"

"You know I will, love." I assured her, my hands now resting on her hips as I thoroughly enjoyed this moment we got to share together. I wouldn't trade this for anything I could've ever wanted throughout my life. This was perfect – we were perfect, and that's all I've ever wanted since I turned my life around, a perfect wife and perfect children.

We sat there for over a half hour just enjoying each other's company with barely any words exchanged except for gentle touches and kisses against each other's skin, and I was so content and happy in this moment that I could sit here forever.