Chapter 14: The Calm After the Storm
A soft breeze drifted through the thatched windows of their hut, rustling the thin curtains like whispers of peace. The scent of wildflowers and incense lingered in the air, wrapping everything in a gentle calm.
Avrielle stirred on the bed, blinking slowly against the filtered sunlight. Her body felt light, her heart—oddly serene. She looked around, as if seeing everything for the first time. The wooden beams, the simple earthen shelves, the little corner where Ian kept his carved wooden animals—everything felt… right.
She sat up.
Her hands instinctively cradled the small swell of her stomach. A warmth bloomed in her chest, and a soft smile curved on her lips. She didn't remember why she'd been so upset. Something had bothered her, but what was it?
The door creaked open.
"Ian…" she breathed, the name falling from her lips like a prayer.
He paused in the doorway, eyes locking with hers. Relief flooded his face.
"You're awake," he said, quickly crossing the room.
Without a second thought, Avrielle reached for him, arms wrapping tightly around his waist as he knelt beside the bed. She buried her face in his chest, sighing.
"I had the strangest dream," she murmured.
Ian kissed the top of her head, fingers threading through her hair. "I know. It's over now."
"I feel… peaceful," she said, pulling back slightly to look at him. "And safe."
"You are safe," he said, his voice gentle. "We're together. That's all that matters."
She studied his face, the curve of his jaw, the quiet intensity in his eyes. Her heart fluttered. He looked at her like she was his entire world.
"I love you, Ian," she whispered, fingers brushing his cheek.
He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "I love you more."
The kiss deepened, slow and steady, their mouths moving in a rhythm that felt as natural as breathing. She pulled him closer, her hands finding the familiar warmth of his back, while his fingers trailed along her spine, igniting a soft shiver.
They hadn't been this close in what felt like weeks. Not truly. Not with the weight of fear or confusion hanging over them. But now, it was different. There was no tension. No questions. Just them.
"I missed this," Avrielle whispered against his lips.
"So did I."
He lifted her gently and settled her back against the pillows, careful of her belly. She reached up, tracing her fingers down his neck, over his collarbone. He caught her hand and kissed her knuckles, his gaze full of tenderness.
"Are you comfortable?" he asked softly.
"Mm-hmm," she murmured, tugging him down beside her. "Come closer."
He lay beside her, one hand cradling her face as they kissed again—deeper now, more languid. The world around them melted away. There was no jungle. No villagers. Just the two of them, wrapped up in each other's warmth and skin.
His lips trailed down her neck, pausing to breathe her in. She closed her eyes, sighing contentedly as his hands roamed—gentle and reverent.
"Ian…" she breathed, her voice thick with emotion.
He pulled back slightly, searching her eyes. "Are you sure?"
She nodded, smiling. "I've never been more sure of anything."
With slow, careful movements, he returned to her, their bodies molding together like puzzle pieces. It wasn't rushed. It wasn't urgent. It was soft, full of quiet gasps and whispered 'I love you's. Every touch was a promise. Every kiss, a vow.
For a moment, time paused. The past, the future—all irrelevant. They were here. In love. Connected.
Afterward, they lay tangled together beneath the light cotton sheets, their skin warm and hearts steady.
Avrielle rested her head on his chest, listening to the slow thump of his heartbeat. Ian lazily traced circles on her back, smiling up at the ceiling beams.
"Do you ever think," she began, voice dreamy, "what it'll be like once the baby is here?"
Ian chuckled softly. "Terrifying."
She laughed. "Really?"
"I mean… yeah. We're going to be parents. That's big." He turned to her, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "But if it's with you… I think I'll figure it out."
Her heart swelled. "We'll figure it out together."
He kissed her again, sweet and lingering. "What do you think? Boy or girl?"
"I don't care," she replied, a hand sliding down to her bump. "As long as they're healthy… and have your smile."
Ian laughed. "And your eyes. Definitely your eyes."
The door creaked open a bit with the breeze, and soft chimes rang from the porch. Somewhere outside, the villagers' voices sang a distant lullaby—faint and comforting.
They were home. Or at least, it felt like it.
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Later that afternoon, Ian and Avrielle walked hand-in-hand through the village garden. The sun filtered through thick banana leaves and flowering vines, casting golden patterns on their path.
Children played nearby, their laughter echoing through the trees. An old woman offered them some sweet mango slices, which Ian accepted with a grin.
"Here, babe," he said, feeding her a slice.
Avrielle giggled, licking juice from her lips. "You spoil me."
"You deserve it."
They walked further into the grove, where wildflowers painted the earth in pinks and purples. Ian sat down on a flat stone, pulling Avrielle into his lap. She rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I hope it stays like this forever," she murmured.
"It will," he replied, without hesitation. "We've come so far. Nothing's going to break us."
She turned to look at him, searching for any trace of hesitation—but found none. He truly believed it. And so did she.
For now.