Safe With Me |18+

Making Things Right.

1½ Year Later

I got out of the bathroom and I stretched, tying my hair up in a ponytail. I turned my gaze outside and I sighed. It was an utter failure with the search for Elora. But travelling around the country was worth it.

I pulled out a loaf of sliced bread and I spread butter onto them and placed them on a plate. Why did everything feel like it was crumbling to dust? It was shameful.

Moving here and there with no destination seemed fun at first but then here we are. Living under a fucking rock in an open field.

I sat down and I covered my face with my hands, letting everything rush into me with shame and anxiety.

Arms around my body jerked me away from my distressed demeanor and a smile spread across my face.

"You're thinking too much again." Caleb whispered.

"I can't help it. We've been trying so hard and we're getting no answers." I sighed and leaned over the palm of my hands.

He sat next to me and he smiled.

"And we'll keep trying till we find her." I smiled at him and nodded. "I'm just glad you're here with me."

"You'll always have me. I promised you." I chuckled and ate a slice of bread. He kissed my cheek and rubbed his nose against my skin.

"We still have the further east to cover up as then the west."

"So it's a real tour around the entire country?"

"Wasn't it?" I smirked and chuckled.

"My sweet angel." I kissed his lips. He cupped my cheeks and rubbed my mouth.

"Bread crumbs, my sweet baby."

I giggled and turned away.

"What do we do now?" He asked me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Aunt Helga is a must. We gotta see her again."

"Of course. Maybe she can help clear your name. I'm probably on the wanted list too. Harbouring a fugitive." He grinned.

"Good luck. Going to jail for you would be a comedic movie." I smirked. "I'm not that weak, babe." "Yeah, but I still have to look after you." I cupped his chin.

"You're such a tease." I chuckled and shook my head.

"I know."

He stood up and he stretched. The bottom of his stomach showed and I kissed his skin quick before he realised. He stared at me and bit his lip.

"You're killing me, sweetheart."

"And I'll bring you back to life all the time." I smirked. He laughed and kissed my cheek.

"Join me in the shower won't you?"

"Maybe. But I deserve a strip tease from you."

"You want a strip tease from me? You gotta deserve it." I laughed and rolled my eyes. "I do." "Doubt it." He walked away from me and looked back one more time. He winked and I smirked.

"See you later, Coco."

I rolled my eyes and got up from my seat, following him.

No way was he gonna have a bath alone without me. I deserved it. And he needed to deliver. That's what he had to do. Fuck me up inside. And that was no problem.

**

I packed my bags that night and I sat at the foot of the bed. I held on to the photo frame I had of aunt Helga, Elora and I. I sighed. Fuck this. I had to get through this. I have one job now. Find Helga.

I tossed the frame into the bags and I covered my face, falling down on the bed. "This is killing me!" I uttered.

I sat up and I pushed my frizzy hair back, annoyed by what I had to go through. I zipped up my bags and I sat down on the floor, my legs spread apart. I sighed, staring at the bags, exhausted.

Caleb opened the door and stared at me.

"I got my paycheck." I smiled a little and looked away again.

He approached me and kneeled beside me. "Baby?" He pushed my hair behind my shoulder and stared at me.

"Do you get tired of moving from here to there because of me?" I asked, not looking at him.

"No. I don't think I am. I don't think I ever will be."

"It's tiring isn't it? You gotta find a job, work your ass off to get a lousy paycheck and then move again?"

"Baby, you're overthinking this. I wanna do this with you. Not because I have to. I want to. I wanna be with you wherever you go. We get to see the world together. Most importantly when you finally find El I wanna be there to see it."

I looked at him and I pursed my lips. "really?"

He nodded and smiled. "I love you, honey. I'm never gonna be tired of doing the things that are right. And I'll do anything for you." I frowned.

"I'll do anything for you, Caleb." He cupped my cheek and kissed my head. "I know, sweetheart."

I wrapped my arms around him and I sighed.

"I don't know what I'd do without you, love." I whispered.

"Incredible things." I looked at him and I shook my head. "Absolutely nothing." He chuckled and kissed me softly. "You're amazing."

I smiled and hugged him tightly. "So are you."

**

We got in the car and he drove away from the little building. He grabbed my hand and kissed it softly. "Are you feeling better?"

"I'm with you. I'm great, love." I smiled. He smiled back and held my hand as he changed gears.

"I'm worried about you. I'm glad you're with me. I can take care of you."

"I can't possibly imagine if we weren't together. It would be so different." I chuckled. He smirked. "Well, I'd be a sad fuck for not taking my shot with the most beautiful girl in the world."

I laughed. "Shot missed." He rolled his eyes.

"It's always been you, Cora. No one else."

"You really mean that?" He nodded. "There's no one else I'd rather roam around this country with and find missing people other than you." I giggled and kissed his beautiful hand.

"I feel the same way." I smiled.

"So, when we meet Helga, what do you think is gonna happen?"

"I don't know. But hopefully she can help. She works with the FBI. She's a badass aunt. She always felt like a second mom to me. But she didn't know anything about my dad and mom. What they did to me. Hopefully I have enough balls to tell her."

"Hey, you're gonna be great. She'll help you." I smiled.

"Let's hope so. I'm dying to find Elora. I can't wait to see her again." I grinned.

"Me too." I bit my lip and I sighed. "I can finally let her know once again she isn't alone. The way I used to feel. And maybe she believes me without throwing tantrums."

"She'll understand. Just give her time."

I nodded and leaned on his shoulder. Time. That's all I fucking needed. To set everything straight.  To make everything alright. For the first time.

*****