Captivated Desires

24

"Our baby- She needs to be okay-" I cried.

Reign's heart shattered at my sobs and my worry for our baby. He reached out to take my hand, his grip firm but gentle. "Reina, listen to me," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. "Our baby will be okay. I promise you that. But right now, we need to focus on getting you patched up."

He shot a glance at Josh, silently asking him to continue taking care of my injuries. He then turned his attention back to me, his gaze steady and soothing. "I'm right here, sweetheart. I won't leave your side. Just hold on a little longer, okay?"

He placed a comforting hand on my forehead, gently stroking my hair in an attempt to soothe me. "You're strong," he whispered, his voice full of conviction. "You're going to get through this, and our baby will be fine, I know it."

"Reign, the house is a mess- the boys can't come home to this," I sobbed quietly.

Reign's expression softened, his heart aching at my concern for the boys amidst my pain. He knew how much I loved and protected them. "Don't worry about the house," he reassured me, his voice gentle. "I'll make sure it's cleaned up by the time they come home. You just focus on healing and taking care of yourself and our little one."

He gently put his hand on my belly, his touch warm and protective. "I won't let anything happen to either of you," he said firmly, his voice filled with conviction. "I'm here, and I'll make sure you're both safe. You just need to trust me."

As evening fell, Reign stayed by my side, watching over me as I lay in bed, recovering from my injuries. He kept a vigil by my side, his gaze never leaving me, his protectiveness and concern evident in his eyes.

The sound of the boys coming home filled the air, their boisterous laughter and chatter echoing through the house. They were blissfully unaware of the events that had taken place earlier that day, their innocence intact.

Reign stood in the hallway, watching as Lionel and Levi burst through the front door, excited smiles on their faces. Their carefree nature was a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere of the house, but Reign was relieved to see them unharmed.

"Hey, kiddos," he greeted them with a faint smile, his voice betraying none of the worry and tension he felt inside. "How was your day?"

As the boys entered the house, their eyes fell upon the shattered windows and the broken pieces of glass scattered on the floor. Lionel, being the older of the two, immediately looked up at Reign, his expression a mix of confusion and worry.

"Dad, what happened?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. Meanwhile, Levi's eyes were wide with curiosity, taking in the scene with a certain innocence only children possessed.

Reign's gaze flicked between his sons, trying to find the right words to explain the situation. "We had an unexpected visitor earlier," he said, his voice calm and controlled. "There was a bit of a situation, but it's been taken care of. You two don't need to worry. Everything's fine now."

He knelt at their level, making sure to maintain eye contact with each of them. "But I need you to listen carefully to what I'm going to tell you," he continued, his tone firm yet gentle. "I want you to stay away from the broken windows and glass, okay? It's dangerous."

He looked directly at Lionel, knowing the older boy would understand the gravity of the situation. "Can you make sure your brother stays away from the broken glass, too?" he asked, seeking his eldest son's cooperation.

Lionel nodded, his expression serious. "I'll watch out for him, Dad," he replied, his loyalty and protectiveness towards his younger brother evident.

"That's my boy," Reign said, patting Lionel on the head before turning his attention to Levi. "And you, young man," he said, giving Levi a firm but affectionate look. "You follow your brother's lead, alright? No playing near the broken glasses."

Levi looked up at his father, a small pout on his face as he nodded reluctantly. "Okay, Dad," he said, albeit somewhat reluctantly.

Reign smiled, ruffling Levi's hair affectionately. "Good boy," he said, appreciating his youngest son's compliance. "Now, you two go play in the backyard for a while while I take care of some things inside, alright? Just be careful out there."

With a pat on their shoulders, Reign watched as both Lionel and Levi headed towards the backyard, their carefree demeanours already returning as they began to play and explore the outdoors.

Josh, having finished tending to my injuries, joined the boys in the backyard, keeping a watchful eye on them. He stood at a safe distance, his gaze flickering between Lionel and Levi as they played.

The boys' laughter and joyful shouts filled the air as they darted around the yard, engaged in their games and imaginary adventures. Josh watched them closely, ensuring their safety while also respecting their youthful energy and enthusiasm.

Now and then, he would offer a gentle warning or intervene if they got too close to any potential hazards, guiding them back to safer areas. He could sense their carefree spirits, and he was determined to keep it that way, shielding them from the knowledge of the chaos that had unfolded earlier.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden glow through the windows, Reign quietly ascended the stairs to check on me. He entered our bedroom silently, his footsteps soft and cautious.

He approached the bed where I lay, his expression one of concern and relief. He took a seat on the edge of the bed, his eyes scanning my face and body, taking in my condition.  "How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice low and gentle. He reached out to take my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine.

"A little better," I said gently as I played with his fingers.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Reign's lips as he watched me tracing my fingers over his. "That's good to hear," he replied, his voice filled with affection. He squeezed my hand gently, offering a silent reassurance.