Starlight

-27-

Roselyn___

We drove over to my sister's home. Naomi picked up Elle when I told her, I'll be meeting with Asher.
"I should wait here," his words caused me to stop midway leaving the car.

"Come in." I flashed him a smile before exiting the car. Waiting for him to step beside me as we walk over to the front porch.
Damien's jeep was packed outside, so that means they're all home.

Going to be a little awkward or so.
I heard some shuffling of footsteps coming our way before I looked to the direction.

"Uncle Asher!"
Elle went screaming and giggling, crashing into Asher. With the way she screamed, I'm guessing everyone knew who arrived.

"I'm so mad at you but I miss you."
Just like I knew, footsteps came matching over. The look on Maria's face got me overwhelmed. Asher used to be her favourite person when she was 2. They went everywhere together, he handled her with love and gentleness. That's how I knew he was gonna make a great dad someday.

A great dad to our kids.

Oh dear, Roselyn Daramfon James, you are getting ahead of yourself. You need to calm down, you both just got together.

I chided myself quietly, mentally slapping myself.

Asher stared at her, a little nervous. He had his hands outstretched for a hug and she just remained in her spot, not moving. Not even an inch, no movement at all.

"Uncle Ashy," that nickname by her has always been quite a funny one.
She couldn't bring herself to blurt his name correctly cause she was a growing toddler trying to make little speech, so she settled for that.
I usually teased him about it just to receive a death glare from his end.
Quite charming, I must say.

Seems it sticked.
Doubt he would ever stop hearing it from her.
Mostly especially from me.
The sounds of footsteps paddling against the cold ground of winter brought me back to reality.
Maria ran into his embrace, shaking slightly whilst sobbing. He had her in his arms, rocking her and whispering sweet words to her for long as I can't say.

The scent of vanilla perfume, wenches my attention from them drifting over to the new found addition, Naomi.
The look on her face said a lot. It's either she's not happy about Asher standing right here or she's happy but having mixed feelings about it.
I'm settling for the latter.

I believe my sister will be happy with whosever I choose to spend my life with and that, right now happens to be Asher.

"Asher Storm, isn't it a pleasure to meet you... again?" He looked nervously at her and back to me. His look basically said, is she happy I'm here?
We just have to hope so.

Damien stepped beside his wife staring down at Asher. Well I don't like this.
It looks like two siblings staring down at the guy who broke their sister's heart, trying to read his every expression and movement.
Maria stared at her parents then at Asher, probably wondering what's with the awkward silence.

Same girl, I'm suddenly scared? Nervous?
I can't tell. I'm having mixed feelings at the moment.

Damien stepped forward pulling Asher into a hug.
"I'm so happy you finally came around. Rose was barely holding up, I could imagine what you went through." Damien pulled away, Naomi wrapped her hands around Asher whispering to him.

Girl, I'm curious.
What is she saying?
Asher nodded and smiled at the end. She unwrapped her arms from around him with a bright smile on her face.
I let out a breath of relief I didn't know I was holding.
That was some awkward moment for a second.

"I missed you so much, Uncle Ashy. You just disappeared from the face of the earth. Did you go to Mars or maybe Neptune? Or even to the moon? I heard it's nice over there."
I don't know if she's being sarcastic or genuinely concerned but it brought out hearty laughter from us all.

"I'm sorry, little Maria. I'm here and that's all that matters. Why don't we try catching up on all the fun we left out? How does that sound? Perfect, no?" Maria squealed in excitement, clapping her hands.

Elle tugged the sleeve of his shirt, gaining his rapt attention.
"Can I tag along? You do owe me your time for ignoring me." I laughed at that. Elle is so cute when's she's mad.

"Of course, you can tag along, princess. I do owe you my time." I watched Elle's face brighten up at the sound of that. I knew she could never be mad at Asher for a long while.
"Thank you, daddy. I'm so happy!"
She slipped out 'daddy' again.
I'm wheezing.

"Did you just call me daddy?" I looked at the adults' face as we heed inside. Can't believe we have been standing outside for long.
Elle's mood turned solemn, we were already in the living room.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to call you that. Sorry if you don't like it." Elle hung her head low suddenly finding the floor tiles very attractive.
Her hands clamped together and I guess a quivering lip too. I wanted to pull my baby girl into my arms and wipe away those tears that threatens to fall but Naomi said otherwise.

Asher crouch to her level, pulling her into a bear crushing hug.
"I love it so much. I dreamt of you calling me that for days. You have always been my daughter and little best friend. I love you so much, sweet pea." I wiped the lone tears escaping my eyes. Maria and Michael stood beside their father watching the daughter- father duo.

***

"It's never an easy job working in a hospital. Sometimes, I'm glad I wasn't a surgeon. I can't bear the pain of watching life slip out of oneself. It's unbearable." Asher mumbled, giving a little head shake.
"I can't imagine the pain they go through after. I'm glad I chose writing." I said with a little chuckle at the end. Silence engulfed the atmosphere once more.
Not an awkward one but yet a comforting one.

We went back to my home after picking up Elle. Sitting across each other on the couch in the living room watching some TV shows.
Rather....

The TV shows watches us.

"You know I have every single one of your books back in my home." He looked at me, I felt his gaze on me. I was blushing, couldn't believe it.
If he does...

Has he read the recent one?
Does he have Elle's father figured out?

My expressions changed at the sudden realisation of the situation.

"Did you...?" He abruptly cut in mid way.
"I read Before her doom."

My heart leapt up into my mouth.

###
Sorry for the wait everyone.

How are you all doing?
Still living in the way that pleases God?