One Tail at a Time

Papa

War. I'm not sure if I really want to relive that time. In fact, time has moved on and taken many of my memories that I really don't want back. Except for the outcome, because the moment I lost him was an agony so great that even now my heart clenches painfully just thinking about it. Though knowing Mo Yuan, he would have been strategizing right up until Liwei sunk his sword into his back.

Placing the book down on the floor, I quietly close my eyes for a moments rest. I am still hiding in the water cupboard which is actually quite peaceful, not to mention warm. Even the light swish of the water pipes in motion around me, gives me a sense of peace, and it is this feeling I cling to rather than that war which is what comes next.

And so for a while, I quietly rest though I am not sleeping. If anything, I am still listening for his footsteps. Im sure I have been in this cupboard for hours so no doubt he will begin searching, only the moment I think to pick the book back up again, then a light scraping on the door almost has me jumping out of my skin.

"Mama...."

Almost squealing, my heart flies out of my chest in a rush of both surprise and happiness.

"Ye Hua?...."

"Mama....." that little voice says again followed by more scraping against the door.

Throwing it wide, my smile is broad and the tears are gathering behind my lashes. Sprawled out on the floor with his head against the door and looking super sleepy is Ye Hua who has not only come to find me, but going by the running footsteps in the outer hall, Mi Gu has yet to find him.

But I quickly snatch my son into my arms before bursting into tears. I really didn't know what his first word would be going by what Yun Ru and my friends had told me, but for it to be Mama has me cuddling his soft cheeks to my breasts in happiness.

"You found Mama you clever little man...." I say kissing his sweet soft cheeks which sets off his giggling. But as happy as I am, I am now in a predicament.

If I leave the water cupboard to let Mi Gu know that Ye Hua is safe, I will risk running into Mo Yuan who I just don't want to see right now. I am too tired and want a break from his baby making mission. But if I say nothing, then poor Mi Gu will worry, tell Mo Yuan and then set the entire ship in a panic to find us.

Only I needn't have bothered worrying, because the moment I reach up to shut the door so I have a little more time to myself with a clever little boy, then the sudden appearance of a blue robe and black boots comes into view.

I imagine my face is looking super guilty right now, in fact, I have never felt so small when Mo Yuans gaze slowly meanders over the plush cushions, the soft warm rugs, the half eaten food and now cold tea. He isn't looking all that impressed either when he drags the door wide open to end his staring at me.

"Care to explain?" he asks in that super soft tone of his that says I am in big trouble.

"Mo Yuan. I just wanted a little time to myself...." I begin, only to drop my head when one brow rises significantly.

"Oh? And I don't give you time to yourself?" he asks now tilting his head to the side and making me feel so naughty that I can barely think straight. Even Ye Hua has turned the sad eyes on him which isn't really helping, because he merely ignores him.

"Yes..... But...... it's just that......." I stammer at the way he is making me feel as if I am being unreasonable when he's the one who is putting my body through agony just to make another baby.....

"It's just what dearest?" he asks smiling at me with eyes so tender, that now I am thinking I really am being unreasonable. I mean, he is such a cheater like that. With just one look, not only am I scrambling to my feet and ready to leave with him to wherever he wants to go, but that smile of his is now growing wider.