Chapter Forty nine

I stood frozen on the spot watching as he thrashed all over the bed, talking in his sleep. Damien was having a nightmare and he looked like he was fighting for his life in it.

My chest heaved up and down in panic. I did not know what to do. My mind was spiralling out of control and when it gave way to the thought of him dying in his sleep with me present, I almost lost it. My over thinking skills always did the most.

I eventually snapped out of my daze and decided it was best to wake him up. I tapped him slightly but silly me, I should have known that would not work.

With all my might, I shook him as hard as I could and eventually slapped him very hard on the face, it was a bizarre move but it did the trick.

His eyes came open and he looked absolutely terrified. He was soaked in sweat and was shivering like he had been locked in ice for a long time. His fright was infectious but I just had to steady myself with my emotions and not give anything away.

Gradually, I pulled him close with his head resting on my stomach, I rubbed his back soothingly in both upward and downward strokes.

"It's okay, it's okay, it's just a nightmare." I whispered continuously until I felt him calm down and was breathing normally. He still had his hands around my waist while all this was going on.

I soon took my place next to him and rested my back on the head rest, just like I had done earlier when I had to help him with his migraine.

He held unto me like his life depended on it. Damien looked so shaken that it made we want to cry for him. This was more than just a nightmare, I was so sure of it. I rubbed his hair, trying to sooth him so he could sleep.

"Ariana?" He spoke after a pretty long period of elongated silence.

"Yes?" I answered softly.

"Can you please stay here for the night?" He requested so meekly, it had me wondering what had happened to the ever so commanding Damien.

"Sure. Just try to get some sleep." I agreed without much hesitation. Something pushed me to agree because I did not think I would on a normal day, maybe it was the fact that I was worried for him because of what Aiden had told me earlier or maybe it was the fact that we just put our differences aside. Either way, I just had to be there for the night.

"I don't think I can shut my eyes." He sounded petrified, just like a child, a child that had been scarred for life. That convinced me even further that I had to stay.

"Just try. I'm right here, nothing's going to happen to you." I assured him. He shook his head in full-throated disagreement.

"You don't get it." He tried sitting up but I pushed him back down and hushed him.

"Shhh, we'll talk about this later. Just get some sleep." I said.

Luckily he did not try to argue with me over that. I continue rubbing his head and back simultaneously until he eventually fell asleep.

I yawned and stretched tiredly. I had only a few hours to sleep so I had to utilize it. It was a good thing that it was the weekend and I did not have to worry about going to work by morning.

I slid further into the bed and snuggled into Damien who was fast asleep.

****

"Awww they're so cute."

"Their babies are going to be even cuter."

"I know right."

"I'm so glad they're in good terms now."

"You know what this means?"

"What?"

"Our grand babies are closer than ever!"

I squinted my eyes open wondering where those voices were coming from. They seemed distant and close all at the same time.

I forced my eyes open and raised my head only to see Mom and Ma Rosa looking staring in my direction with dreamy smiles on their faces.

"What in the world?" I said in surprise, wondering how they got in.

I looked down when I felt someone pull me closer to him. He was still asleep but I knew he would be awake soon.

"Damien we have people present!" I said rushedly in a hushed tone shoving him a little bit.

He squinted his eyes open and stared at me for a short while before looking around the room. His eyes fell on the two women grinning like kids given candy at opposite us.

He chuckled and rubbed his sexy bed hair. Did I say sexy? I meant cute, no, hot- that's even worse. His bed hair was alluring to me okay! I admit it!

"Mom? Ma Rosa? What are you doing up here so early?" He asked in his husky morning voice.

"Early?" Ma Rosa scoffed while mom looked thoroughly amused.

"Have you seen the time?" She said

"It's past eleven and we were wondering why you two weren't out yet so we came to check on you." Mom clarified.

My mouth formed an 'o', how did we sleep that long?

"Wow." Damien said, rubbing his face with his left palm as he sat up on the bed.

I reached for my phone and tried escaping by getting out of the bed but he held me by my waist.

"Where are you going?" He questioned.

"To my room, I have to go freshen up." I said in response.

"You two don't sleep in the same room?" A third voice came in and we both turned to mom who had her jaw dropped.

"Uhmmm..."

How was I going to salvage this situation?

"We had a huge fight and she moved out of the bedroom, that was before I left for Italy." Damien said truthfully, shocking me.

"You're good now?" She asked looking between both of us.

"Yes." We said in unison.

"If the rose petals on the bedroom floor we cleaned are anything to go by, that is." Ma Rosa chipped in and I rolled my eyes with a smile. I was totally sure it was her that had called mom up to come see Damien and I snuggled up in bed.

"He apologized?" Mom asked in shock while I nodded.

"Oh my! If I stay here for a minute longer I might just burst into happy tears. See you two later." She gave us hugs with a huge watery smile and walked out with Ma Rosa in tow.

I exhaled in relief when they left.

"Those two can be a real handful to deal with." Damien commented with a shake of his head.

I laughed.

"Thanks for last night." He said to me.

"It's okay..." I said. I wanted to ask him about the nightmare but I did not want to jump the gun and make things awkward between us so I decided I would ask at a later date.

"I'll see you later." I said and got up.

"Yeah." He said gently in response.

I walked out feeling his stare from behind before shutting the door behind me.

As Ma Rosa had said, the room was all cleaned up. I placed my presents in the closet and went to take a bath.

I made a bath and got in to soak myself in the sweet scenting water.

I played with the bubbles and fluttered my legs in between.

"Alexa! play me some sweet tunes." I said and she responded without delay.

A song came on and I hummed to the tune, having no clue who sang it but it was nice to listen to.

I do not know how long I spent in the bathroom but I know I stayed for a really long time in there.

I eventually got out and went under the shower to wash off the soap suds. I toweled my wet body and wrapped myself in a robe.

I came out of the bathroom drying out my wet hair with a towel and saw that Damien was seated out there waiting for me.

"You don't scare me anymore with these stunts." I said cheekily and he smirked, giving me an amused side eye.

"Don't be so sure." He said.

"Huh?"

What was he driving at?

"This might me getting old but tugging on that robe and getting it open wouldn't." He said confidently with a sly smirk and I blushed deeply.

"Damien eww!" I whined while he chuckled at my embarrassment.

I scurried into the closet and slid on a pair of black pants with a red spaghetti strapped top that revealed a little more cleavage than I thought it would.

"Oh well." I mumbled with a shrug and stepped out only to see him staring at the TV with a huge scowl on his face.

"What's wrong?" I asked and stood next to him but he did not answer me so I turned to the TV and saw for myself.

"Oh no!" I gasped.

Shit's about to hit the fan.