In Need of You

Chapter Nine

The spicy yet sweet smell of cinnamon and sugar lingered in the air of Elisha's kitchen. He sat next to Madeline and Amber as he watched Sabrina work her magic. There was something about seeing her in that space that made that house become a home. Even hearing Madeline's laugh made the house feel lively. Hell, this was the happiest he'd seen Daisy in a while. 

Amber's giggles resounded throughout the kitchen. She and Madeline were having a blast taking turns on who was vying for the highest Candy Crush score. He caught sight of Sabrina's eyes as she walked to the refrigerator and opened the door. She leaned inside, mumbling as she searched for a missing ingredient. 

"What you need, beautiful?" Elisha asked. He met her at the refrigerator and stooped to her level. 

Sabrina smiled. "I forgot to bring some butter."

"For the caramel sauce?"

"For the caramel sauce, indeed."

"I think I may have some," he said. He reached over her head and glanced into the refrigerator compartment door. "I don't see any, but my next-door neighbor has the entire grocery store in her kitchen. I can go ask her if you like."

"I don't know, Elisha," Sabrina said. "It is rather late."

"It's just nine o'clock. She's still up."

He pulled her closer to him and nozzled his nose into her neck, making her giggle. He felt her hands press against his chest. Staring at her, Elisha smiled. Her pinkish brown lips were tantalizing, to say the least. He found himself lost in her eyes as he looked at them. They were like a mesh of topaz and mocha swirled together. "You're a goddess."

"Lisha," Sabrina whispered in his ear, "We can't do this in front of Madeline. I don't want to send her the wrong message."

Hearing her call his name like that sent an invisible finger sliding down his spine. More than anything he wanted to kiss Sabrina, but he understood. He didn't want Madeline to get too attached to him and resent him if they called the relationship off. That would crush him. That little girl meant a lot to him, and he didn't want to ruin that relationship.

Madeline and Amber's giggles caught them off guard, forcing Elisha to nearly lose his balance. Madeline covered her smile. "You two are gross."

"That's right, Maddie," Amber said. "You tell'em. That's so totally gross."

"Whatever," Elisha said. He hobbled his way to Madeline and rested his chin on top of her head.  "You think you're safe?"

Madeline smiled and nodded her head. "You're not going to do anything."

"Sure, I won't," he said. He tickled her on the stomach, causing her to laugh until tears slid down her cheeks. He wiped her eyes, then kissed her cheek. "Think I won't do it again."

She giggled. "Nope!"

He tickled her on the stomach once more. The smile on her face made the pain shooting through his leg dissipate. There wasn't any need to take his medicine. Sabrina and Madeline were his cure from the pain.     

"Okay," Sabrina chuckled. "I think babycakes has had enough."

Elisha looked at Sabrina. These two were gave him a new purpose, he thought. He wanted to tell her so badly that he loved her, but he knew that he had to wait for the right moment. Love was patient recalled his mother saying to him. If it took a thousand or so years, he was going to wait that long. "Alright, little one. Your mom has spoken."

"I still need that butter for the caramel sauce," Sabrina said. She opened the oven door, allowing the aroma of the apple pie to fill the room.

"You wanna walk with me to my next-door neighbor's house? She wouldn't mind," Elisha said. He held his hand out to Sabrina, beckoning her to come his way. 

"Sure," she said. She walked over to Madeline and kissed her on the forehead. "Mommy will be back, okay. And, Amber, do you mind keeping an eye out for the pie?"

"As long as I'm able to get at least two slices of that pie, I'll patrol it."

Sabrina laughed as she walked toward Elisha. She took his hand and followed him toward the front door. Watching him limp, she squeezed his hand. "Have you taken your medicine yet?

Elisha looked over at her. "I'm okay, Sabrina. Really." 

"You need to take it. You'll be in pain all night like you were last night," she said, following him across the lawn to his next-door neighbor's house. 

"I'm fine, beautiful," Elisha said. He let go of her hand and walked ahead of her through a narrow space between some hedges and his neighbor's house. Stumbling over a rock, Elisha fell face-first onto the ground. 

Sabrina covered her mouth and rushed to him. Reaching to help Elisha off the ground, he quickly turned on his back and snatched her on top of him. "Gotcha!"

Sabrina smiled, starring into his steel-blue eyes. "You tricked me."

"I know." 

"We can't stay here all night."

"You're right," Elisha said. He lost himself in her beauty. He caressed her cheek with his index finger. "But, I really would like for you to stay the night."

"Elisha, I don't think--"

He pulled Sabrina into a kiss. The feel of her lips on his made the hairs on his arm stand to attention. He ran his hands through her hair. Each curl separated as his fingers slid through them. That intoxicating smell of lavender and gardenia invigorated his nose. He glared into her eyes and smiled. "Please stay tonight."

Sabrina closed her eyes as he cupped her face with his hand. "Okay."

"I know this is fast, Sabrina, but I'll be as patient as I need to be with you," he said. He kissed her lips once more. "You care about my mind. You care about my body. You even care about my soul. It's been a long time since someone has done that for me."

Sabrina closed her eyes and looked away from him. "In just a few days, you took the time out to know me, to listen to me," she said. "With Madeline, I don't have time for someone to come in and play with my heart. I just don't"

"And, I don't want to do that, Sabrina," he said, moving her hair from her face. "I want you to feel comfortable with me. I want you to love me like--"

"I do," she said. "I really do--"

He covered her lips with his index finger. "Let's just wait until it's right."

"Who's out there?" An older woman's voice yelled. "I've got a broomstick!"

Elisha and Sabrina smiled at each other and laughed. He didn't understand why he fell in love with her so suddenly, but he knew he loved her. Mom was right about one thing, though, he thought. He had to pray over this woman. He had to pray over that little girl. But, he had to pray even harder about dad.