𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑋𝑜𝑛𝑒

𝑋𝐿𝑉𝐼𝐼𝐼

Janet held me close as I cried, her arms steady around me, offering the comfort I needed. I had shed my last tear on her shirt, my emotions slowly quieting, but as I lay there, I couldn't stop thinking about the emotions that still lingered.

What was going on in her mind? What was she thinking, sitting there calm and collected while I fell apart? How could she be so serene when everything felt so overwhelming for me? Was she putting on a front for me, trying to be strong, to be the rock when I needed her? I wasn't sure, but I couldn't help but admire her for it.

She was strong, in every sense of the word. Her arms had grown firmer over the past year, her biceps more defined than when I first met her. The muscles in her arms flexed as she reached over to gently caress my face, her touch as soft as ever, even though I knew she could hold the world in those same arms if she wanted to. I felt the warmth of her hand on my cheek, the softness of her touch sending a wave of calm through me.

As she held me, I could tell she was looking at me, her eyes focused and intent. I didn't mind it; in fact, I liked staring back. It made me nervous, though, her gaze so powerful yet gentle. I had this unshakable feeling that she was everything I had ever wanted and more, and yet, I still felt guilty, guilty for wanting her so fiercely when I had just been shaken by what Joseph had said.

She wasn't bothered by the words, and yet, I couldn't seem to shake them from my mind. I was a burden to her, wasn't I? Was I the reason she might lose everything she worked for?

But as she brought her hand down to my belly, rubbing it gently, all those worries seemed to slip away, at least for the moment. She rubbed in soft, slow circles, a calming rhythm that made everything feel right.

I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling the warmth of her touch, the strength of her presence, and I allowed myself to relax in her arms. She didn't need to say anything. Just her being there was enough. I felt her hands, soft but powerful, pressing against my skin, and for the first time in a long while, I didn't feel afraid. The world outside might have been uncertain, but in her arms, everything felt like it was going to be okay.

Janet had always been the calm in the storm, and somehow, she was showing me how to be calm too. "We can't mention lunch to your manager," she teased, her voice light and playful, breaking the heaviness that still lingered from earlier.

"Oh please, today was my cheat day," I smiled, feeling a little better as she lightened the mood. "Don't worry about me, baby. I'm worried about you."

She looked at me, so calm, so collected. "Don't be," she said softly, her gaze steady. "I've been dealing with Joseph since day one." She smiled playfully, shrugging it off as if it was no big deal. "He won't stop me from loving you. I'm taking today as a win because I saw Michael. I think I haven't seen him in a year."

"Oh wow, baby, that's too long," I said, my heart aching a little at the thought of her being separated from her family for so long.

"Yeah," she twisted her mouth and gave me a smile, but I could tell it wasn't her usual one. The hint of pain was there, hidden beneath her words. But she pushed it away, not letting it show.

She got up from the bed, walking towards the bathroom, her movements slow and deliberate. She leaned over and kissed my forehead, pressing those warm lips against my skin, grounding me in the moment. "I'm going to use the bathroom," she said quietly before turning around and walking away.

I watched her leave, a wave of admiration washing over me. I knew she was strong, but sometimes I wondered just how much she was carrying. Still, she wasn't going to let it show, not to me, not today. She was fighting for us, and in that moment, I felt like we could face anything together.