happy never after

chapter six

Then

Madelyn

*2 weeks before The family vacation*

"Madelyn," Jaden's sleepy morning voice calls out, his hand reaching out to interlock our fingers. "Are you still here?"

"I'm still here, baby." His sigh of relief is palpable as he pulls me closer, his bare chest against my back, his chin resting on my head. His other arm wraps around me, holding me close. I glance up at him and he leans down, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. It's so gentle, I feel like I might shatter into a hundred pieces if he pulls away.

I could stay like this forever. I feel the safest when I'm with him. All my worries, all my fears, they evaporate the moment I feel his presence. Even if I were held at gunpoint, as long as Jaden was in the room, I'd feel safe. There's no better feeling than when it's just the two of us. Nothing else matters as long as he's right beside me.

He pulls away from the kiss just as gently as he leaned in, and it feels like he took a piece of me with him. His left hand finds its way to my face, softly caressing my cheek before making its way up to my hair, running his fingers through it delicately. "I love you," he rasps out.

"I-" I start to respond, but he cuts me off by pressing his lips to mine again, this time with more passion.

"Don't say anything right now, Mads," he breathes out, his lips just inches from mine. He seems tense, like something happened while we were asleep. His breathing quickens, his grip on my hand tightens, and I can see the tears forming in his deep brown eyes.

"Are you alright, Jaden?" I question, to which he responds with a simple nod, pulling me in closer. He takes a deep, shaky breath, pleading, "Please don't leave." Confused, I look up at him. "Promise me," he implores, his breath trembling, "Promise me you won't let me go." I gently soothe him, running my fingers through his hair. "I promise," I assure him. He leans into me further, his tears flowing freely. My heart aches at the sight.

As Jaden clings to me, his tears dampening the fabric of my shirt, I hold him close, my own heart breaking at the sight of his pain. I stroke his hair soothingly, trying to offer whatever comfort I can, feeling the weight of his distress pressing down on me.

"What's wrong, Jaden?" I whisper softly, my voice laced with concern as I search his eyes for answers.

He takes a shuddering breath, his grip on me tightening as he struggles to find the words. "I had a nightmare," he confesses, his voice barely above a whisper. "I dreamt that... that something happened to you."

My heart clenches at his words, the fear in his voice echoing the dread that had haunted me for so long. "Oh, Jaden," I murmur, my voice thick with emotion as I hold him tighter. "I'm here, I'm okay. It was just a bad dream."

But even as I try to reassure him, I can't shake the feeling of unease that lingers in the air, a sense of foreboding that tugs at the edges of my consciousness.

Jaden pulls away slightly, his eyes searching mine with a desperate intensity. "Promise me you'll be careful," he pleads, his voice filled with urgency. "Promise me you won't take any unnecessary risks."

I nod, my heart heavy with the weight of his fears. "I promise, Jaden," I say softly, reaching up to cup his face in my hands. "I'll be careful, I swear."

He lets out a shaky breath, his eyes closing briefly as he leans into my touch. "Thank you, Mads," he whispers, his voice choked with emotion. "I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you."