The Babysitter (WLW)

𝟐𝟑

♕
𝑎𝑢𝑟𝑜𝑟𝑎'𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑣

I truly had been trying my best.

My ex-wife randomly showed up, work has been tough during the holiday this year, and I'd recently just discovered the fact that my grandmother had passed.

Daniel and I's parents were too selfish to tell us about the sudden, yet deadly, sickness that overcame my favorite family member.

After receiving the devastating phone call I'd poured myself a glass of wine while Iris was still away at work, but I remembered my promise to her and quickly used the liquid for other purposes.

As much as I tried to seem like this confident, put together woman I couldn't help it at times to just fall apart.

The wine in my pantry just always happened to be there when things got tough.

I blew out a deep breath, wiping at my tired eyes with trembling hands.

"Ro."

I didn't turn around. I only continued to shield my face from Iris and any other living thing that roamed the backyard of my home.

The sound of soft footsteps grew louder and louder until the presence of my lover settled right beside me.

"I'm sorry." Iris breathed out, "I know work has been hard on you recently, and I'm not helping you as much as I should in this situation. Instead of getting angry at you for coping in the only way you know how, I should've been a shoulder for you to lean on. It's just that I've seen what drinking does to even the sweetest of people. . . and I don't want that to happen to you. I love you Aurora and it's time that I help you rather than drag you down even more."

Iris didn't have the time to release another breath before I folded forward with my head in my hands, tears rapidly falling from my eyes.

The warmth of her arms surrounded me immediately, and all I could do was continue to helplessly bawl.

"It's okay, my love. Let it all out." she cooed.

So I did what was asked of me.

I let it all out.

The gentle breeze of the outside air mixed with the affectionate squeeze of Iris' arms around me truly brought me the upmost amount of safety.

I felt understood.

It took a while for my emotions to calm down, but the grip around my shaking body never fell on the end of my lover.

This was one of the many moments that I truly knew that I loved Iris Heather. She wasn't like anyone that came before her. Her heart and soul was sincerely pure, and I'm honored to be able to experience her love.

I dabbed at my eyes whilst turning to face her, "Thank you."

The dimples in her cheeks appeared as she sent me a gentle smile. Her eyes sparkled with concern but god were they the most beautiful things I'd ever seen.

"Let's talk." she murmured softly, reaching her hand forward to caress my cheek.

I nodded and stood up after her as we made our way back inside, leaving the vulnerable moment we'd shared outside underneath the night sky.