Remember Me

8

"Are you nervous?"

I glanced up at James. He was watching me, one hand playing with my hair. We were laying in his bed, the blankets pulled over us.

"Nervous about what?"

"Having a baby."

"No. Are you?"

"I'm more nervous for you. I want you and the baby to be healthy."

I looked up at him with wide eyes. "Why wouldn't we be?"

He kissed my forehead. "I know. But the father always worries about his child."

"Would you take care of the baby if something happened to me?"

"What do you mean?"

I rolled onto my side. "Like if there was a complication or something. I'm sure that happens to some mothers."

"You have nothing to worry about, baby girl. I'll take good care of you."

I sat up and put my back against the wall. "Can we go look at the flowers?"

"Sure, princess."

---

The flowers were beautiful, more so in person. There were about twenty square boxes with all kinds of flowers inside. I couldn't detect a specific scent but the entire area smelled of flowers and dirt.

I walked along the path between the boxes, carefully taking a look at my surroundings. I had to act like I was interested in the flowers and not in escaping. Not that I'd leave Blair and Nicoli behind.

There were trees all around us. It was getting too dark to see much which may have been why James let me go outside at all. He was giving me my space to look around but I could feel his presence behind me.

I reached the last set and leaned into one of the boxes. I ran my hand over a yellow flower and I could vaguely feel its importance. Yet I couldn't tell how or why.

"Do you know what type of flower this is?" I asked, holding the petal in my hand.

James walked over and leaned over my shoulder, clearly letting me know that he was in charge. "They're daffodils."

"I think these are my favorite."

He started walking away. "Are you ready to head back?"

"We just got out here."

When he didn't say anything, I looked up. He was about ten feet away from me and waiting for me to catch up to him. I didn't have a choice.

I quickly realized that I should have known what he was doing. I should have felt him walk away from me. But I didn't and I had a feeling he caught onto it.

I jumped to my feet and went to his side, acting as if nothing was wrong and I was oblivious to the change. I wrapped my arms around his right arm, hanging onto him as if he was a crutch.

"Can we come out tomorrow? I'd love to see them in the daylight."

He hummed. "We'll see."

I leaned into him. "Are we going back to your room?"

"I think you should get some rest."

I looked up at him and frowned. He was staring straight ahead, his expression plain. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

He stopped and sighed. He looked tired and I had a feeling he was about to get mad. "I think you should get some rest, Sterling."

I nodded and looked down at our hands together. I had to do something so he would relax. If I didn't see him, I'd be stuck in my room.

I blinked several times and tears filled my eyes. "Okay. If you think that's best..."

He tilted my head up and concern filled his features. Clearly, he thought I was my obedient self. "Hey, baby, don't cry. I just don't want you to wear yourself out, okay?"

I nodded, lowering my head again.

He pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. "You know I love spending time with you."

I nodded.

He pulled his badge away from his coat pocket. "Let me walk you to your room."