Fools Hope

Chapter twenty: Dreaming with a Broken Heart

*~ I hear the sound of my own voice, asking you to stay~*

(Tyler's pov)
He has never slept so well, as he did last night. He remembers that she curled herself into his chest and then fell asleep. Tyler can't believe it. Looking down at her now, he can't help but feel as if everything is finally coming into place.
Slowly brushing hair from her face, he places a delicate kiss to her cheek, then slips away to go shower. Sliding on his jogging pants and t-shirt from the night before, Tyler heads downstairs to go make some breakfast for the two of them.
He can still feel the imprint of her cheek on his chest, over his heart. And heat burns through him, making him slightly breathless.
"Morning"
Her voice makes him jump slightly. Turning towards her, Tyler gives her a bright, lazy smile and murmurs, "Morning sleepy head"
Iris stays silent and just blinks blearily at him, then she stretches and runs her hands through her hair.
A small sliver of skin shows, just above her hip bone, and Tyler has to turn around to keep himself in check. Swallowing hard, he asks in a tight voice, "want anything special for breakfast?" Her laugh bounces around the room, and she wraps her arms around him from behind. Her hand splayed out over his heart. His erratic, heart that's beating wildly. "Could you make pancakes?" He looks down into her green eyes, and smiles, "Yes. Anything for you princess"
She sticks her tongue out at him, "Don't call me princess." "OK princess, whatever you say"
"Tyler Wright, you are going to be in so much trouble if you do not stop!" but there's a smile on her face.
"Oh? And what are you going to do to me?" He whispers huskily in her ear. She swallows visibly, and blushes. "Um... well. I don't know, yet" Smirking, he turns around and shakes his head.
I wish every morning could be like this.

(Iris's pov)
My heart is racing. It's going to fly out of my chest and into Tyler's hands.
His words still bounce around in my head, what are you going to do to me?, oh man why did he ask that? My body is reacting in ways it never did when I was with Rafael. And... that thought makes me pause. Sadness creeps back into my chest and numbness threatens to swallow me alive.
"Iris, you ok?"
His voice melts the fog that was clouding my eyes. Giving him a sad smile I nod, "yes" turning to go, I head back into the living room. Zeke is cuddled up on the cushions and I smile, "hey sweetheart." He yawns and wags his little tail, "Come on, breakfast then we go for a walk" he perks right up, and launches off the couch. A small smile tickles the edges of my lips, but I can't help feeling like there's this hole in my chest that I can't fill.
Ever since I broke up with Rafael I feel as if there is something missing from my life, yet when I look over at Tyler, all of that pain goes away. Following Zeke into the kitchen I fill his bowl, and refill his water dish. Happy barks and whines sing in my ears. Patting Zeke on the head, I place his food on the ground, and then start washing dishes.
"Iris, you sure you're ok?" His voice makes my blood throb with need.
Turning in his direction I meet his eyes. I know my sadness and pain is resonating in my eyes, because Tyler's face falls and he is enveloping me in a hug.
"I feel like there is a tear in my heart, and that a piece of me is missing and I can't seem to fill it."
"Sshh, it's ok. I'm here now. He can never hurt you again." I want to believe him, yet I have a feeling that there is more pain to come.
Pulling away, I give Tyler a small smile and murmur, "I have to go walk Zeke." He nods and places a kiss to my forehead.
Stiffening his eyes widening, "I'm sorry-" "Shh, It's ok. Don't say anything, just hold me in your arms ok?"
And he does just that.
***
(Rafael's pov)
I blink.
Trinity's words bounce around the silent room. My heart is in my throat. "She's what?"
"Iris is not your soulmate"
Growling, I snarl out "And what do you know of soulmates? You've only caused pain and destruction in the time that I've known you." Her blue/grey eyes show remorse and guilt. Bowing her head, Trinity whispers, "I'm sorry. Truly I am. I am not the monster you think I am. To be honest I only caused the pain because I was jealous and frustrated. Frustrated because for centuries you have only had eyes for her and never once spared me a glance. Do you have any idea how that has made me feel?"
Confusion swirls around my mind and I furrow my brows at her,
"What are you talking about?"
"UGH!! Honestly, how have you not figured it out by now? Iris was never your soulmate. You just happened to keep meeting her at the same time every sixteen years. But that was also the time when you were supposed to meet me! Every time I went to find you; you'd already met her and fell in love. Everytime I failed. But this time I decided to make a move, I wouldn't allow myself to be ignored anymore."
My heart has stilled in my chest.
Her words are wrapping themselves around my lungs and squeezing so tightly I can't breathe.
"No." I whisper. Shaking my head hoping that will wipe away the realization that has come to my head. "No, no no" Trinity smiles and walks towards me. For every step she takes froward I take one back, until I run into the wall.
"Rafael, you are my soulmate and I am yours" her voice is sweet in a way that it has never been before.
My stomach churns and my eyes are wide, fear slices through me like it never has in all my centuries of life and it terrifies me that nine simple words can shred me.
Breathe, Rafael Breathe! Holy shit, holy shit, is she serious?