Her Nature

|Chapter 13|

"It is late, Aura, you should go home too. I can see how exhausted you are." He still faced the window.

"Yeah I know, trust me. Home is just really far from here," he stiffened at my words, but remained silent. "I'll find my way around."

With that, I opened the door and struggled to close it against the wind. The freezing gusts oscillated my hair, giving me whiplash. Chilling wind slapped my face, searing my skin angry red.

I force one foot in front of the other with a heavy heart, wishing I could go home. I remember the nights I'd finish work late and come home to see Dani sleeping in my bed. She had waited for me after a long day of work.

I'd shower and then snuggle up with her without waking her. Quality time did not always involve words, I knew she was there for me.

Even Vince would stay late to cook some of his catch for my dinner because I didn't have time to.

Without them, I wouldn't eat.

Without them, I wouldn't look forward to another day.

Mindlessly walking lands me in front of the birthing building. I trudge inside and pull sweatpants on, keeping my sweater on for the heat.

Snatching the fur blanket from the couch, I layered it on top of my other blankets. I pull the covers tighter around me to make sure all cold air was blocked. The house walls were thick, but there was no fire wood for either fireplace to warm the area.

Letting my lids fall closed, I exhale a deep breath, relieved I could finally sleep. The mattress felt heavenly, like a cloud that conforms to my body shape, and the pillows were even softer.

Even under the blankets, I shiver slightly. Eventually, my shivers subside and I sink into a dream.

Two bodies hunched over another. "She's beautiful," one said. I couldn't make out their faces, but they continued to admire the tiny body.

One was a woman, she sat in the flowing water. The male stood with one leg in the water and the other kneeling in the grassy bank. His arm was draped over the shoulders of the woman, they must be mates.

The view drew closer to them, a baby now in my sight. The hazel eyes that I've seen before in previous dreams slowly revealed themselves. The couple couldn't see me, but the baby followed each of my movements with her eyes.

"She has your hair already," this time it was the woman who spoke. The tiredness was evident in her voice as well as her sluggish form. I now notice her bare legs bent in the water.

She reached up with her free hand to ruffle her male's dark curls. He chuckled, leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek. His nose stays on her cheekbone, breathing in her scent.

"My beautiful wife gave me a beautiful child," he kisses her forehead this time and sank into the water next to her, pulling her into his lap.

"Hello, my little girl." He spoke to his daughter, love radiating from him. "You're just like your mother, lips, nose and all. An exact copy." His finger traced her features as he talked about each.

"She has both of our eyes. The green of mine with the brown of yours."

The female laid her head in his shoulder with a soft smile, content with her family. Her eyes closed in the arms of her male, her protector. "Sleep my love, I will always protect my family."

Glancing around, I spotted animals of every kind. Squirrels watched the scene with acorns in hand while rabbits peaked through bushes. Even doe eyes focused on the family. The longer I searched, the more I saw.