Eternal Bliss

Unraveling Denial

Hayley gazed at the evening sky, the wind gently rustling through her soft chocolate hair and couldn't help but sigh. She then leaned carefully on the shadow black metal balcony for support and thought of the numerous things which ran through her unsettled mind.

"Are the werewolves in the bayou safe?" she tapped nervously on the railing for a second before coming to halt.

"Is Elijah safe?" she then wondered, her heart knocking just a little too hard. And things hitting a bit too close to home.

Hayley shook her head but her concerns did not disappear.

"What have I got myself into this time?" she asked herself, contemplating about her time in New Orleans so far.

"What the hell am supposed to do?" she then questioned confused.

The concepts floated in her mind as she pressed her hands ever so lightly on her stomach. She'd never thought of being a mother, and here she was carrying her unborn daughter after a drunken one night stand.

 It was scary but then again wonderful all at the same time. Part of her was terrified of the new responsibilities, of messing things up but then again another part of her was glad to have been given this chance. 

It had strangely come quite naturally, the motherly stuff that is. She couldn't help but love the life inside of her, regardless of how she had come into being. It was a primal instinct for her to protect her baby and she promised she always would. She didn't want her child to suffer what she had, but she sensed life wasn't going to be as stable as she wished for it to be.

"It never is." she thought, her face sombre but then just as this thought drifted, swiftly, Hayley's senses heightened.

She felt the presence of someone else appear in the atmosphere and the hairs on the back of her neck prickled as a sharp whoosh of wind justified she was not alone.

This didn't startle her, she was quite perceptive that way and the scent which engulfed her was so very familiar...

"Elijah." her mind soon recalled with relief before she even turned around to acknowledge him. Of course it was no other than him. She turned her head slowly to face him, her captivating eyes eventually resting on his.

He stood tall and firm about a metre away from her, as still as a statue. The collar of his dark coat was high and a button was left open so that it formed a jagged flap.

"It suits him." Hayley mused unconsciously fighting the urge to become completely distracted and scolding her lips for wanting to pout.

She still continued to watch him however as he similarly continued to stare. It was like he wasn't breathing. She wondered whether she should speak but whenever she was around him, she felt like standing in silence was enough in itself.

Elijah gazed at the woman carrying his brother's child. As much as he tried to deny it she made him catch his breath. His eyes focused on hers but he couldn't help but notice her every detail. The way her wavy brunette hair laid about her shoulders, the way her hazel eyes followed his.

Her lilac cardigan hung off her shoulder. "Isn't she cold?" he thought concerned.

He then realised how he could live this moment for hours. Being around her was so...filling.

After a few seconds, he noticed worry sprawl onto her beautiful face and his heart stirred despite knowing what she would ask.

"Are they?" she enquired softly.

"They're safe." Elijah replied promptly like the tension was making them restless.

He couldn't help but slightly smile, had she really thought he couldn't handle it?