Captivated Desires

25

The years passed by, and Willow-Grace, our daughter, had grown into a cheerful and curious 3-year-old. She had her father's fierce determination and her mother's warmth. Lionel, now 10 years old, had become a responsible and protective older brother. His maturity and leadership skills were evident in the way he looked after his younger siblings. Levi, at the age of 8, was the mischievous adventurous soul of the family, always finding new ways to cause delightful chaos.

The family dynamic had shifted and grown with the arrival of Willow-Grace. The boys adored her, doting on their little sister and often competing to be the best at entertaining her. Reign, on the other hand, was fiercely protective of his youngest child, constantly watchful of her and spoiling her with love and affection.

The air was filled with excitement as family and friends gathered to witness Josh's wedding ceremony. I sat with Reign and the children, our daughter Willow perched comfortably on my lap. The boys took their seats between me and Reign, their eyes wide with curiosity and anticipation.

The venue was adorned with beautiful decorations, and the atmosphere charged with joy and anticipation. As the ceremony began, the soft strains of music filled the air, signalling the start of the special event.

Josh, standing at the front of the room, looked both nervous and elated, waiting for his bride to make her way down the aisle. The guests looked on, their eyes fixated on the soon-to-be couple, eagerly awaiting the moment when two become one.

The doors opened, and the first sight of the bride sent a collective gasp through the room. She was radiant, her gown flowing gracefully behind her as she walked down the aisle. Josh's eyes widened, tears pricking the corners as he took in her beauty.

The ceremony proceeded, with the bride and groom exchanging heartfelt vows. Amidst the laughter and tears, the boys fidgeted slightly, still a bit restless. You gently squeezed their hands, reminding them to behave.

Meanwhile, Reign's eyes kept flitting between the ceremony and me, his gaze filled with love and appreciation for me, watching as I attended to the children with such grace and patience. Levi's restlessness was becoming increasingly apparent, and he started to wriggle in his seat, trying to get up. I felt him shifting under my watchful eye, his tiny legs kicking against my lap in an attempt to break free.

Reign, sensing Levi's growing impatience, turned his attention to the restless boy. He leaned down to his son, his voice firm but gentle. "Levi, sit still," he said quietly, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. Levi pouted, his eyes pleading. Clearly, he was bored and wanted to move around. Reign glanced at me, silently acknowledging the challenge of keeping the boy in one place.

"Levi," Reign said again, his voice a bit firmer now. "You need to sit still. It's Josh's special day, and you need to be a good boy for a little while longer, okay?" Levi huffed, his small arms crossing over his chest defiantly.

Reign leaned in closer, his expression serious but also filled with understanding. "I know it's hard to be patient, but you're a big boy, right?" he said, his gaze locked on Levi's. "You can do this. Just a few more minutes, and then you can run around all you want."

Just as I was dealing with Levi as well, Willow, who had been quietly sitting on my lap, suddenly moved, her small hands reaching out for her father. She made soft, sweet sounds, her gaze fixed on Reign's face.

"Whoa there, little lady," Reign chuckled, turning his attention to Willow. He smiled at the sight of her, gently scooping her up from my lap and placing her on his own. Willow immediately snuggled against her father, her small body moulding to his chest.

As Willow settled against his chest, Reign instinctively reached out to help me adjust her dress. The skirt had ridden up slightly in the back, and Reign's fingers gently tugged it down, making sure she was comfortable and presentable.

"Thank you," he mouthed silently, appreciating my help in keeping their daughter presentable. He held Willow tighter, his arms encircling her protectively as his eyes flitted back to the ceremony, a small smile playing on his lips.

Suddenly, a sharp, thunderous noise sliced through the air, instantly grabbing everyone's attention. The sound was unmistakably a gunshot, and it echoed through the room, freezing everyone in their tracks. The silence that followed was deafening. Everyone turned to the front, their eyes widening in shock and horror. Josh's soon-to-be bride was on the ground, motionless.

The sight was chaotic, the once joyous atmosphere now shattered by the violent intrusion. My motherly instincts kicked in, and I quickly grabbed hold of Lion and Levi, pulling them close to me for comfort and protection. Fear and worry are etched on my face. 

Reign, meanwhile, was holding tight to Willow-Grace, shielding her from the terrifying scene. His expression darkened, and a cold, steely anger replaced the previous joy in his eyes.

All around, chaos erupted. Screams and cries filled the air as guests tried to make sense of the sudden violence. Security personnel were frantically trying to take control of the situation, seeking out the source of the gunshot.

Arturo's words sent a chill down Reign's spine. The realization that it was a sniper attack made the situation even more sinister and dangerous. Reign's grip on Willow-Grace tightened reflexively, as he felt a surge of protective fury.

"Where's the shooter?" Reign asked, his voice laced with menace. His eyes darted around the room, trying to spot any potential threats amid the chaos.

I looked at Arturo before he spoke again "Gone, the security scared the people off,".

Arturo's words confirmed Reign's worst fears. The assailant had already slipped away, leaving the venue in chaos. Reign gritted his teeth, clenching his free hand into a fist. He knew the danger hadn't subsided just because the perpetrator had escaped.

"We need to get the kids out of here," Reign said firmly, his focus now solely on the safety of his children. He looked at me, his expression serious, silently communicating the urgency of the situation.