Safe
I didn't even bother checking the surveillance system when I heard the knock at my door. I already knew who it was. I walked out of the kitchen, a glass in my hand. I pulled the door open to see Beth standing there. She was tugging on the hem of her sleeve. When the door opened she looked up.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi," I replied.
"Can I come in?' she asked. I nodded and let her in. I saw her glance at the glass but didn't react. Was it strange she was getting used to seeing me leaving empty glasses around?
"Can we talk?" she murmured as she sat down on the couch. I let out a breath and sat down across from her.
"Talk about what?" I replied, setting the glass down next to me.
"The other night…on the roof," she answered. I knew this was coming. We hadn't spoken about it since it happened, kind of the kiss.
"Ok," I said.
"I…I shouldn't have invaded your privacy," she mumbled. I reached out and took her hand in mine. I knew that wasn't what she really wanted to say.
"I should have told you everything up front," I told her.
"I guess there are things we both should have done," she laughed.
"I guess so," I agreed halfheartedly.
"Mick…I'm glad I found out it was you who saved me. I can finally put the right face to my guardian angel," she said. There was that phrase again. I wasn't an angel. I was a monster.
"I'm no angel," I sighed.
"You are to me," she whispered, pulling my hand closer and resting her cheek against it.
"Growing up…I knew I didn't need to be afraid because someone was watching over me. I always felt safe, Mick," she explained.
"I'm glad you didn't have to live in fear," I replied. I slowly pulled my hand away from her cheek and stood up. She followed my motions and before I knew it, she'd wrapped her arms around me.
"Hold me…like you did that night. I want to feel like that again," she breathed, her head resting on my shoulder. I slowly wrapped my arms around her and held her close to me. I closed my eyes and I could see that frightened little girl clinging to me. She had become such a beautiful woman and here I was holding her to my chest. I could hear her breathing rising against my shoulder.
"Beth," I breathed, reaching a hand up to stroke her hair. She clung to me tighter and I couldn't help but smile a little. Maybe I was something of an angel after all. We stood like that for a while longer before she leaned back and stared me directly in the eye.
"As long as I know you're around, I'll always feel safe," she murmured. She brushed her lips against mine lightly and before unwrapping her arms from my neck and heading for the door. I watched her pulled the door open and walk away.