The night had fallen, the stirring air shuddered the trees and made harsher whirring noises.
The sky grumbled with thunder, the storm brewing in a distance, now growing closer, the nature was colder.
Neva was in her room, laying on the bed with Rhean sleeping beside, the warm duvet covering, shielding them from the chillness.
She held a photo–album above her son's head levelled to her chest.
She was flipping through pages, guilt and serenity blending, swaying her insides.
There was a knock on the door.
Neva slightly raised her head and said: "Come in."
The door opened revealing a grinning Rhett, and he immediately bloomed a smile on her face. He closed the door behind agilely and approached the bed.
Neva closed the album and settled it on the nightstand. She glanced at him standing before the bed and staring at them with love in his eyes.
She opened her arms and smiled sweetly at him.
And did he stop himself from immediately climbing on the bed and melting in her arms.
They embraced each other, and Rhett above her showered Neva's face with little kisses all over, erupting hearty giggles out of her. Then he swimmed down her neck, soaking her skin with wet kisses.
Drifting up, he captured meekly her lips—and they shared a long kiss ablazed with ardor and warmth.
Rhett now lay under the duvet, spooning Neva, his face buried in her nap, her hair cleared and sprawling on the white pillow. He breathed in deep, succoring himself with her natural scent melded with floral scent of soap and shampoos he so missed.
The same time he yearned everything of her, as though she had been away for eternity; it still felt like she had never really been afar, that him kissing and holding her was all so natural, so calming, like she had been here with him each day and every night.
He had his arms wrapped around her waist, and he pulled her even closer.
This was where he belonged; he was home.
Neva was brushing away Rhean's wooly soft hair falling down his forehead, fingers stroking lightly. His hair she reckoned, the color and texture was alike his father's own.
Her warm eyes skimmed down his brows, fairly dark and lean, slightly arched that looked like her own, closed eyelids with feathery lashes surfacing long shadows, chubby cheeks, straight little nose, thin heart shaped lips; he somehow, through some angles, almost looked like a clone of his father.
And Neva relished his heart that she found beautiful, and his beautiful face.
He lay on his side, facing her, breathing softly, and her other hand tenderly patted his back. Then her eyes suddenly dimmed.
For she was cursed by the feeling of remorse for her other two children that she left behind.
She would always tuck them to bed; read stories and sing lullabies.
Neva swallowed.
She didn't want to leave.
It was unimaginable to live with him again.
She wondered how had she spent so many years with him.
It was decaying her soul; the thought of having to return back to Ishmael.
Two nights; and it was enough to uncommonly evolve everything in her life.
She couldn't remember savoring this affinity of the warmth of a home; but now as the pleasure of this while embraced her all, she wanted to be selfish and never be miserable adrift anymore.
"Rhett?" Neva murmured, caressing his hand.
A sleepy Rhett only hummed in response.
"What if I did as that man said?" She asked, a thumb rubbing gentle circles over the back of his palm.
"Do what Angel?"
Neva bit her bottom lip in contemplation.
"If I called Ishmael, what will happen to the children?"
Rhett opened his eyes.
"You'll have their legal custody."
"You wouldn't mind if they stayed with me?"
"No."
Neva went quiet.
So much ponders running in her mind.
"Then what after?" She began again.
"We built a home. Grounded in nature.
Just the way you like. Wherever you like.
And we'll live a long, fulfilled life."
Neva could feel him smiling against her skin, flowering a small smile in her own lips.
"You'll let me choose?"
"Of course. Wherever your heart leads. You're my everything. I can only follow."
Neva chuckled softly.
"What if I wanted to dream?"
"Then I'll work hard to smoothen the path to your dream."
Like a candle, Neva was watery and melting.
She turned, and she found him looking at her with those beautiful hazy eyes. Skintillating in the dim white light, his cocoa orbs swirling with emotions.
Leaning in closer, warm lips thawed, a deep, slow kiss fluttering the two tangled hearts.
Their love brimmed with hope for a pleasant future; together.
"And we'll grow a garden."
"And we'll grow a beautiful garden." He smiled and rubbed their noses together.