That's the most reviews I've EVER gotten on a story (19) so THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO much! I don't even like this story lmao I just updated because I figure you've waited long enough. ;P I'd actually prefer to be working on my other newer stories in progress. :) but enjoy anywayy!
Mal watched Natara gently breathing, having dozed off in a recliner in their living room. She murmured quietly in her sleep, "Oscar..Oscar!"
Two months and eight therapy sessions later, she still dreamt of him every night.
Mal walked over and took her hand, causing a smile to spread across her peaceful face. Her whispers changed slowly to "Mal, Mal,…Mal."
He cringed. This happened most nights. Nothing was as painful as being in love with someone he could never have. She could never know he'd secretly loved her for a year now. Never.
He thought about how weird it'd be if she knew he was doing all this not because they were best friends, but because he loved her.
Of course, it was already awkward.
There was that kiss – that one kiss – that made him doubt everything. Because it was her who'd kissed him, the day before her wedding.
"I just had to know," she'd said blushing. "I had to be sure…"
Logan's cry rang out from the nursery. Mal dropped Natara's hand and left to check on her.
He didn't see the way her sleeping face fell.
Mall scooped up his sobbing, adopted daughter of two months and began to rock her.
"Shh Logan," he whispered. "Daddy's here. It's okay."
The infant calmed down almost instantly and he sat with her in the rocking chair in the corner.
"You're okay, Logan Rose," Mal whispered. "Safe and sound. You're very pretty, Logan." The baby blinked up at him sleepily. "You have your momma's eyes, you know that? You're a very special baby."
Mal began to quietly sing to the child he'd come to love.
"Just close your eyes, the sun is going down. You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound…"
A tear trickled down Natara's cheek as she listened form behind the closed door.
Logan was now asleep but Mal kept telling her every secret he'd kept to himself for so long.
"…and your mommy, I've loved her for the longest time now. It's hard you know? Loving your best friend. But it's wonderful too. One day, you'll fall in love sweetie. Then you'll know how I feel about your mommy."
Natara stood speechless, barely breathing, being crushed by the feelings that had, for so long, been unable to escape. She just had to listen to her heart. But she knew she would be too scared to ever love again.
"If you asked me if I loved him..," she said, barely audible. "I'd lie."
