The Violet Rose

Chapter 54- Learning

     The warm comforting rays of the sun shone down on my face, and woke me from my peaceful slumber. When I opened my eyes, the room was spread out before me. Next to the bed, I could see a small basket  with my little boy inside.

     The light breathing of the little boy next to the bed mixed with the sound of snoring behind me. Two strong arms were wrapped around my waist from behind.

     I slowly sat up, and moved Blaze's arms off me. He stirred, and slowly opened his eyes. His red irises stared into my purple ones.

     He grumbled, "Good morning."

     "Good morning Blaze."

     Then, he grabbed my arm and pulled me back down to lie on the bed. He pulled me close to him so my face was against his chest.

     I giggled, "What are you doing?"

     Blaze gently stroked my long orange locks of hair as he whispered, "I've missed you being next to me for a year and a half. Everyday, I wished you would be here in bed next to me when I woke up. Can we just stay like this?"

     "Yeah. I'd love to stay here."

     A peaceful silence filled the room as I laid there in his arms. His warmth surrounded me with the comforting feeling that I've been longing for. This is what I need after all this time.

     He mumbled, "Is it different?"

     "Is what different?"

     "The way I hold you, and how you feel while being held. Is it different than when you were with him?"

     I smiled, "Of course. He only held me before I had Casper, but it's still completely different. Chester was always so cold, and it didn't feel right. It didn't feel like he loved me. He would often have his hands in my hair, or on my hips, but not once did he hold me as close as you do. That's just one way of knowing he didn't love me for my personality, but just my body."

     Blaze held me tighter, but the sweet moment was cut off by the cries of Casper. I sighed, and we both sat up after releasing each other.

     Casper squirmed about in his small bed. I leaned over the side, and gently picked him up. Blaze leaned in so he was right next to me, and he looked down at Casper with worry in his eyes.

     Blaze mumbled, "Why is he crying?"

     I laughed, "He's probably hungry. I can go get some food from Olivia, but you have to stay here to watch him."

     "I can't watch him. What am I supposed to do with him?"

     "Just make sure he doesn't die."

     "But he's crying! Maybe you should watch him while I go get food."

     "Alright. Do you know what children eat?"

     He hesitated, "They eat the same food we do, but smaller portions right?"

     Blaze looked at me confused as I giggled, "No. Babies need to eat mashed foods so they don't choke, and they don't have all their teeth yet."

     "What types of mashed food do you give a baby?"

     "Things like mashed peas, mashed potatoes, applesauce, mashed bananas, and mashed carrots, but warm it up a bit so it's not extremely cold."

     "Okay. I think I understand. So babies eat mashed healthy foods, but when do they start eating regular food?"

     "When they're around two or three-years-old."

     "Alright. I'll go ask Olivia for food then."

     He slowly got up, and walked out of the room while mumbling to himself. I laughed, and cradled Casper in my arms.

     A few minutes later, Blaze returned with a small bowl of mashed potatoes. Gently, I set Casper down on the bed.

     Blaze held the bowl and spoon out to me, but I made no movement to grab it. Instead, I patted the spot on the bed next to me.

     Once he sat down, I explained, "You should feed him. It's best for you to know how to take care of a child, especially since he's going to be staying with you. Besides, it would be nice if I didn't have to take care of him alone like I did on the blue ship."

     He hesitated, "Yeah; you're right. This kid is going to be considered one of my own. I'll need to know how to take care of kids for when we have our own children."

     I felt heat rise to my face at the mention of us having our own kids. Blaze chuckled at my expression, and started to feed Casper.

     Casper got a lot quieter after Blaze started feeding him. I smiled at the sight, and enjoyed the moment. Small giggles escaped my lips, and Blaze looked at me with a confused face.

     He asked, "What's so funny? Am I doing it wrong?"

     I smiled, "You're fine. I'm just laughing at the fact that I'm here watching the Red Captain that's feared by many feeding his enemy's child baby food with a very focused expression."

     Blaze laughed, "If you told me years ago that I'd be sitting on my bed feeding the child of the Blue Captain and my lover mashed potatoes, I would've never believed you. In fact, I probably would've called you insane and been disgusted by the thought of taking care of his child."

     "Blaze...can you promise me something?"

     He looked concerned as he asked, "What is it?"

     "Can you promise me...that you'll protect Casper and yourself above anyone else?"

     "What do you mean?"

     "If all of our lives are on the line, I want you to protect Casper before anyone else. Protect him before you protect me, please."

     He paused, "Violet, I don't know if I can do that. Of course I'll protect him, but I want to protect you too. I can't just push you aside like that."

      "Blaze, please. Casper means so much to me. I don't know if I can take the pain of knowing he got hurt because you protected me first. If I lose him, I'll never be the same. I'm just asking you to protect him first. In he event that I die, at least I have a part of me left with you. If our lives are on the line and we're facing danger, I don't care what happens to me, as long as you two are safe."

     "Why are you asking me this?"

     "Haven't you noticed that everyone around me is dying? It started with Flynn, my parents, First Mate, and Willow. How long before one of us is next?"

     "It'll be a long time. I won't let death take you away from me that easily."

     "No matter how far it is in the future, can you protect Casper first? Consider him to be like your own kid."

     He stopped talking for a bit after that. His crimson irises were focused on the small blue and white haired boy in front of him. Casper has a big smile on his face as Blaze watched him.

     Then, Casper reached out towards Blaze. He leaned forward, and Blaze tilted his head down to think about my question.

     Casper saw it as an opportunity, and crawled forward towards him. Once Casper was close enough to Blaze, he reached a small hand up to Blaze's head.

     His small hands landed on Blaze's soft red locks. Casper grabbed a handful of his hair, and lightly tugged on it. Blaze looked up at him, and Casper gave an even bigger smile and giggled.

     Blaze whispered as he stared at him, "I promise I'll protect him."