the space between us 2: a novella | daerin

8

CASPER

୨୧

"I'm home." My voice echoed through the hallway of our home—it was dimly lit, with only the lamp in the living room casting a soft glow through several parts of the room.

I pressed my left hand against the wall to steady myself as I took my shoes off and set them on the rack, my feet leading me towards the dining room.

On the table was a single placemat with my own plate, cutlery, and a glass. Beside it was a single note that read, 'Just in case you're still hungry. Food is in the fridge. -A'

I smiled at the note and tucked it away into my pocket before making my way toward Tilly's room, the door slightly ajar. Quietly, I stepped inside, careful not to make any noise.

I found Azalea and Tilly tucked away in the small single-sized bed, Azalea's arm wrapped protectively around Tilly's small frame.

I stood over the bed and knelt down, pressing a soft kiss on the side of Azalea's face, causing her to stir and wake.

"Hey," I whispered, smiling. "I'm home."

Azalea shuffled in the bed, careful not to wake up our daughter. "Hey, you," she answered back softly. "What time is it?"

"9:20 pm." I replied, pulling out a bunch of flowers I had picked from the front garden. "For you," I smiled. "I missed you."

Azalea took the flowers and inhaled their scent. "So this is why you've been tending to the front garden. You've been growing flowers."

I nodded proudly. "Mhm. Gotta make sure I always have new ways to spoil you."

Azalea slowly sat up, her face sworn with that look I knew she wore when she had unanswered questions swimming in her head. As she took a deep breath, her gaze locked on mine.

She looked at me, her eyes searching for reassurance. "How was dinner?" she asked softly, trying to keep her tone neutral.

"It was great. Raven was ecstatic about her book draft being accepted. She wanted to thank me for all the support," I explained, hoping to ease her worries. "But honestly, the whole time I was just thinking about getting back home to you and Tilly."

Azalea gave a small, understanding nod, but I could see the lingering doubt in her eyes. I reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I'm sorry if I made you feel neglected or worried. You and Tilly are my world, Azalea. Nothing and no one could ever change that."

She smiled weakly, her fingers intertwining with mine. "I know, Cassie. It's just... sometimes I can't help but feel a little insecure."

I leaned in, pressing my forehead against hers. "You have nothing to be insecure about. I love you more than anything. And I'm here, now. Let's focus on that."

Azalea sighed, her expression softening. "You're right. I'm sorry for doubting you."

"There's nothing to apologise for," I whispered, pressing a tender kiss to her lips. "I promise to always be here for you, to reassure you whenever you need it."

Azalea leaned into the kiss, her arms wrapping around me. "Thank you, Cassie. I love you."

"I love you too," I replied, feeling a sense of relief and contentment wash over me. We held each other for a moment longer before Azalea shifted back to lay down next to Tilly, who remained peacefully asleep.

I watched them for a moment, my heart swelling with love for my little family. Despite the challenges and the occasional misunderstandings, I knew we were strong enough to face anything together.

"But there is something else we have to talk about, Cassie," Azalea said, her voice tinged with a mix of apprehension and determination.

"Hm, what is it?" I asked, cupping her face gently, my thumb brushing away a stray tear.

Azalea swallowed hard, her gaze dropping. "Listen. Um, this afternoon after you left for work, Archie came to see us as usual. And, well, he kinda said something that I never heard of before and I couldn't help but overthink it."

The look in Azalea's eyes made me feel uneasy. Something was really bothering her. "What about, baby?"

Azalea's fingers ran across the hem of my blouse, her head hanging low, avoiding my eyes. "Archie said you're going on a book tour. Is that true?"

"Oh," I said instantly, my mind racing. "He said that?" So much for keeping a secret.

Azalea nodded, tears dripping from her eyes.

"Hey, hey, why are you crying?" I asked, my brows furrowing in concern.

"You never mentioned anything," she sniffled, her voice breaking. "And I've been feeling so in the dark about things in your life that it hurts."

"Oh," I repeated, my heart aching this time. "No, love. That's not at all what it's about. I was planning to surprise you, and Archie was supposed to keep this all a secret."

Azalea looked up at me, her eyes red and puffy. "A surprise?" she whispered, a mix of hope and confusion in her tone.

"Yes, a surprise," I said, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I didn't mean to make you feel left out or hurt. I just wanted it to be a special moment, to share the excitement with you and Tilly in a way that would be memorable."

Azalea's tears continued to fall, but she clung to me, her grip tight. "I just... I've been feeling so disconnected, Cassie. With everything that's been going on, I've been scared that we're drifting apart."

I held her closer, my own eyes stinging with unshed tears. "I'm so sorry, Azalea. I never wanted you to feel that way. You're my everything, you and Tilly. This book tour... it's not just for me. It's for us. I want you both to come with me, to share this journey together."

Azalea pulled back slightly, her eyes searching mine. "Really? You want us to come with you?"

"Absolutely," I said firmly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I've been dreaming about us exploring new places together, making memories as a family. The first stop is the USA, and then Europe. Italy, remember how Tilly has always wanted to go? We can make that happen."

A small smile broke through Azalea's tears. "Italy?"

"Yes, Italy," I confirmed, my own smile growing. "We'll make it a grand adventure, just the three of us."

Azalea nodded, the tension in her shoulders easing. "I'd like that, Cassie. I'd really like that."

I leaned in and kissed her gently, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "It's going to be amazing, love. I promise. No more secrets, no more feeling left out. We're in this together."

Azalea hugged me tightly, her voice soft but filled with determination. "Together."

We stayed like that for a while, holding each other, letting the emotions settle. It wasn't going to be easy, but with open communication and unwavering support, I knew we could face anything that came our way.