The Fall - Book 2

220. ...Because of those moments.

JUNE 1, 2020  — KILLEAVY, IRELAND — BUCKY

I lie with my body curled around Réa's, my hand resting on her lower stomach. I listen to her breathing, deep and even with sleep, and feel the corners of my lips curve slightly.

'Perfect. She's absolutely perfect. I don't think I'll ever get used to the fact that she's mine.'

I press a kiss to her temple, then slowly climb out of bed and pad to the en suite. When I return to the bedroom, Réa's in the same position she was when I left, still sound asleep.

Carefully, not wanting to wake her, I lift her into my arms and turn down the bed, settling us both under the covers. I situate us in the same position we were in, with my body once more curled around hers and my thumb lightly brushing her still-flat belly. She lets out a quiet, happy sigh and presses closer to me. I place another soft kiss to her temple, then rest my cheek on the spot. Another smile touches my lips as my mind wanders, replaying some of my favorite moments with her.

I'm seated across from Réa, watching as she does a little happy dance as she eats. I think it's absolutely adorable...even more so as she blushes and becomes bashful when she realizes everyone is looking at her. After everyone else has returned their attention to their own conversations, I keep watching her, hoping she'll do it again. She must feel me staring, because she looks up at me. Our gazes lock and I give her a little smile before I again feel that pull between us, though this time it's stronger...almost magnetic. My eyes widen and I gasp softly because it seems like maybe—just maybe—she feels it, too....

"Okay, so you see Scorpius?" Réa asks.

"Yeah."

"If you go down from it, you'll get to Ara." She draws the shape with her finger.

"What is Ara?" I ask. "I get that Scorpius is a scorpion and Centaurus is a centaur, and I know that Lupus means wolf...although the constellation doesn't look like a wolf to me."

"Ara is the altar. And underneath it is Pavo, the peacock," she again draws the shape.

"I don't understand how people looked at these and saw animals and objects. I mean, some of them, sure. The Little Dipper and the Big Dipper look like their names." I point to a triangle in the sky. "But how do they look at a triangle and say it's a duck or something?"

Réa giggles, and the sound has a smile forming on my face. "The triangle you're pointing at is actually called Triangulum Australe...the southern triangle."

I laugh—an actual laugh—and throw my hands up in mock frustration. "I give up. I'll just have to remember these," I say....

Turning from me, Réa faces my hut...and lets out an excited squeal.

"You...you have goats!" she exclaims. "Can I, um, can I pet them?" she asks as she turns back to look at me.

I nod, a small half-smile on my face. "Yeah, d—yeah." I gesture for her to go ahead.

Réa makes her way over to the yard and the goats notice her. The smallest—with a solid black coat—trots over to her. I watch as she settles onto the ground, and the goat climbs into her lap, standing up with its front hooves on her shoulders and giving her little goat kisses, causing her to giggle.

'I am not jealous of a goat, I am not jealous of a goat,' I repeat to myself.

The other goats come trotting over; soon Réa's surrounded by the creatures, and they lie beside her, snuggling close.