ILTV - The Villainess Fell in Love with Me

Chapter 5 - Surfacing Concerns

*Claire's Point of View*

(A/N: Get ready for the longest chapter yet! This is where the story really starts.)

GASP.
I took deep, long breaths, sucking in as much oxygen as I could.
I heard clapping next to me.
I turned to see my beloved wife, proudly clapping, eyes full of joy.

"Well done, Miss Claire!" She exclaimed, "you managed ten seconds!"
I couldn't help but smile at that accomplishment.

We were currently in the sea by the beach in Euclid. Rei decided to once again, rather than actually teaching me to swim, to increase my endurance while underwater. I could easily hold my breath for ten seconds, but it was surprisingly difficult underwater. I attributed that to the lack of oxygen.

May and Aleah giggled with glee as they splashed each other. They were having the times of their lives.

"Alright my lovelies," Rei began, "now we're going to learn to swim!"
A look of determination washed over her face as she readied herself. She was really into this.
I reluctantly readied myself for what was to come.

"Push your arm back, then with your other arm swing that forward, then propel yourself with your legs! Like this!"
I watched as Rei demonstrated swimming to me, May and Aleah. It didn't look too hard, but still, I had never swam before, and I know for a fact May and Aleah had never swam either.
"Like this, Mother Rei?" Aleah called out.
I turned to face her, my eyes widening in surprise. She was swimming! And more than that, she was doing it really well!

I heard Rei make a sound of sheer glee. She was too cute for her own good.
"Yes Aleah, you're doing amazing!"
May watched Aleah's movements closely, then began copying her movements. She wasn't as graceful as her sister, but she was still doing a mighty fine job.
"Well done, May!" I said.

If I don't move now, Rei would tease me endlessly. I began to move my body. Or rather - tried. I couldn't move. I found myself locked in place.
My body wouldn't let me propel myself forward.
Rei stopped swimming, looking at me curiously. Her expression shifted to that of concern as she swam over to me.
"Are you okay, Miss Claire?" She asked carefully. I nodded.
"You're not." She said. I looked at her, a little caught off guard.
What did she mean? Why would I lie?
"You're shaking..." she added, taking my hands into hers.
"Mother Claire, are you okay?" Aleah asked.
May quickly followed, "Mother Claire, what's wrong?"

I took deep breaths and shut my eyes. Before I knew it, I was swept off of my feet. When I opened them, I saw Rei looking down at me, giving me a small smile as she carried me back to shore. I found myself gently being placed down on a beach bed, an umbrella acting as protection from the sun.

"Miss Claire, I took you out of the water because I didn't want you to have a panic attack," she said gently. I could only nod. She once again took my hands in hers and kissed them.
I felt colour return to my face and began to smile.
"Thank you, Rei. You're so thoughtful..." I said gratefully. Now that I was out of the water, I began to calm down. My hands slowly stopped shaking and my breathing returned to normal.
I looked up at her. She was still looking over me, like a protective mother.
She handed me a glass of water.

"Are you mad at me?" I suddenly asked. Truthfully, I felt a little dejected and disappointed in myself. I wanted to impress Rei, and she was really excited to teach me swimming.
"No! Of course not!" Rei said gently but firmly.
"We can try whenever you are ready... I won't force you into a situation you don't want to be."
She placed her lips to mine and ran her fingers through my wet messy hair.
I felt myself calm down even further than I thought was possible. Rei's kisses were very powerful indeed. It's as if her lips had their own magic.