Inferno desires

55

Xavier

I wait for her.

It's been three hours since the final takedown of Pento's organization, and I haven't gotten a text back from her. I knew she was safe because I watched her until she made it back to the police station, so why was she not answering her phone?

No, stop overthinking. She'll be home soon.

"Xavy, when's mamma coming home? She's late," she pouted as she crawled onto my lap. My dear mija was worried as well.

"She'll be back soon, mija. Today has been a long day for mama," I assure her, rubbing her back soothingly.

"Okay," she whispers, clutching onto me tighter.

We sit in silence, holding each other close as we wait for our light to arrive. I knew from the moment I met my precious Nova that I'd never not need her. She has woven herself so intricately into my life that I have already forgotten what life was like before her, and I can't imagine living a life without her.

Nova is my everything. My desire for her burns like an inferno, and I can't help but want to give her the world since she's my world. I instantly perk up when I hear the click of the door unlocking. Nova stepped inside, her posture straight with her chin lifted. She looked so in control my heart fluttered at the sight.

Her gaze soon fell onto us, and we were greeted with a warm smile. Maya broke free from my grasp, her little feet thudding against the hardwood. I followed behind her. My steps were longer and heavier, but no less urgent. Nova opened her arms to us and Maya flew into them, her arms flinging around Nova's waist, while I enveloped them both.

The scent of her hair, the heat of her skin, the tremor in her breath. These small things were what I missed most when she was gone. They were the things I'd clung to in the quiet hours while I waited for her.

As I held them both, a dam that resided deep inside of me broke, and the tears that followed were fast, hot, and silent. I pressed my face into Nova's shoulder, my body shaking from the sheer force of all the things we have gone through as a group. I leaned into her shoulder as her fingers began to thread throughout the back of my hair.

"I want to be as strong as a superhero like you, mamma," she muffled into Nova's stomach.

Nova stilled, her breath catching. The words hung between them for a moment before she became a trembling mess. Her shoulders quivered, her eyes glistening with tears. She pressed her lips to Maya's forehead then to my temple, then back to the crown of Maya's head. Her tears fell silently at first, but then sobs broke out throughout the three of us until our sobs became laughter and grief tangled into one. No one spoke for some time, but we didn't need to. The promise was there, silent and unwavering. Never apart. Never again.

— — — — — — —

The sun was high, slanting gold beams across the lawn of the mansion. Smoke curled from the grill, carrying a delicious scent of smoked meat and sweet corn. My kids darted between tables, their boisterous laughter rising above the quiet hums of various conversations.

I scanned the field until I found my girl. She stood near the edge of the patio, a glass of lemonade in hand. My mom had joined her, her hair blowing crazily in the wind. They watched the children with a smile on their faces. Maya was chasing after Rico who was trying to keep the soccer ball away from her, Ayla shrieking with delight as Kyro spun her in dizzying circles, and Orion leading his siblings into a battle against Santiago.