Soundtrack Option: I Will Always Be With You - All Dogs Go To Heaven 2


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Chapter 6

Lullaby for a Stormy Night

~June~

You know something funny? When I was younger, I could listen to multiple gunshots at once and not flinch. And yet, the deep roaring of thunderstorms had me screaming and diving for the light switch. I don't know if it was because the thunder was much louder than a gun, or if it was the bright strikes of lightning that cast frightening shadows across my bedroom walls.

Whatever the reason was, my brother was always there to comfort me. Sometimes he would simply hold me and rock me side-to-side until I relaxed back into a peaceful slumber. Other times he took me to his room to sleep when I couldn't calm down. I remember when I was roughly five; L.A. was under a tornado warning, and everyone was told to immediately take shelter and be prepared for the worst. The bellowing wind and roaring thunder was deafening. Rain and debris pounded harshly against the windows as the night progressed, and I was paralyzed with fear.

I tried my absolute best to control that fear, but unfortunately I didn't last very long. As soon as a bolt of lightning – which looked to be feet away from our apartment – struck violently and a bomb-like roll of thunder shook the ground, I practically rammed through my bedroom door and into Metias's room. Unable to stop my body-shaking sobs, he came up with an idea. We built a fort out of pillows and blankets underneath his elevated bed. I was having so much fun, I didn't feel so scared anymore.

Over the years, I had grown used to the raging storms at night. The thunder no longer bothered me, and the pitter-pattering of the rain actually lulled me to sleep faster. I found it rather relaxing and peaceful, just listening to the rain.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said for my 6-month-old son, who was now wailing his little lungs out over the baby monitor.

Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I removed the blankets from my body and made my way to the adjacent room. At the same time I stepped over the nursery threshold, the clouds above gave another mighty rumble. Taylor gave a loud screech of fright as he continued crying his eyes out. I picked up my pace a little and scooped my son out of his crib and into my arms.

"Shh. It's alright, Taylor," I shushed quietly, gently rocking him side-to-side. His crying didn't let up for another minute or so, softening to frightened whimpers. His blue eyes were red and puffy from the tears still running down his chubby cheeks. My heart broke at seeing him look at me with such fear and confusion.

I'm not quite sure where the idea came from, but I started to hum a very familiar tune. Taylor curled further against my chest in seek of comfort as my moment of deja-vu grew stronger. I remembered hearing this song. Did I sing it before? Did someone sing it to me? Whatever it may be, the lyrics flowed smoothly like water into my mind.

I will always be with you

Makes no difference where your road takes you to

Even if we're apart, know we're joined at the heart

Though our moment may be gone

You and I will still live on

I will always be with you

I'll be by your side whatever you do

Other memories may fade

But the ones that we made are eternal as a star

Now I'm part of who you are

I don't know when I started singing, but it warmed my heart seeing my baby boy return to his peaceful slumber. His eyes had closed but he continued to squirm in my hold, trying to get comfortable again. Adjusting my grip carefully, I shifted Taylor to where his head lay over the exact spot I felt my heart beating a soothing rhythm. He seemed satisfied with the position as he finally grew still, his steady breathing warm against my collarbone.

Instead of returning him to his crib, I brought him back with me into my bedroom. I planned on putting him back in the nursery, but I want to hold him a little longer. Sitting on the bed, I kept my grip on my son secure as I leaned back on the fluffy pillows, resting my head against the headboard. I curled my knees up while I simply watched Taylor sleep soundly and gently rubbed his back.

Sometimes I felt overwhelmed with the amount of love and devotion I held for this little boy. The fact that he was here and real and mine almost seemed too good to be true. Then he would smile at me. A toothless, innocent, happy smile. One that made his eyes more radiant than any precious jewel. One that made him look more and more like his father every day.

It also worried me a great deal as he grew bigger everyday. Time drags usually, yet it feels like he was born just yesterday! Hell, this morning sounds more accurate. I feared the day when he would be fully grown and no longer need me to look after him. I pray that day never comes anytime soon. Unfortunately, the odds seem to be against me. He's right around the age where normally babies would start crawling, which he does very well, yet he seems to be more like me than I thought. As soon as he could hold himself up, he crawled for a single week before that eventually bored him. Taylor is now determined to stand on his own two feet and walk.

Many times I've caught him using the couch as support as he struggled to stay balanced on his wobbly legs. Yet each time he tried to move, his little knees buckled and he fell back on his bottom. The first few times it made him laugh at his own clumsiness. He would just sit on the floor and laugh at his mistake! And each time it made me smile. I don't know why, but hearing a baby laugh just gives you this feeling like there's nothing wrong in the world. Like there is no reason one shouldn't be happy and have to worry about the outbreak of war.

However, he must be getting very frustrated, because these past few attempts have resulted in him becoming very fussy and often leading to tears. I hated seeing him so upset, yet his determination to move on his own just makes me love him more. My poor stubborn boy.

Ollie broke me from my thoughts when he suddenly jumped onto the bed and curled next to us. Normally, I would scold him for being on anything other than the sofa. Yet lately, he insists on going wherever my son is. Ever since Taylor was born, my dog treated him as if he were his pup, not mine. He would lay in the nursery at night next to Taylor's crib; he would drag his belly on the ground next to my son when he first learned to crawl; and whenever Taylor got fussy, Ollie would be next to him and coat his chubby cheeks with kisses. It brought back fond memories of when I was little, and Metias first brought him home - a very energetic ball of white fur.

My dog lay his head across my stomach to keep close to the baby sleeping in my arms. If the quiet rhythm of the rain outside wasn't enough, feeling the warmth emitting from Ollie and Taylor made my eyes even droopier. Knowing darkness was about to claim me again, I shifted slightly to try to get up.

I couldn't. I was too comfortable. Maybe, I yawned. five more minutes...


Okay, there was gonna be a smaller bit after where this one ended, but I figured you guys would be happy with this. I mean, it's been six months, so come on, right?

I apologize for my longer than necessary absence. Writer's block is coming back at full force, and to add salt to the wound: I've found love with anime. Several seasons of Hetalia later...more story ideas! So now, I have two new story ideas for Hetalia. Any fans out there? *cricket* No one? Well, I'm gonna fangirl for a second. 'Scuse me...

O.M.G! RUSSIA IS DA HOTTEST OF THEM ALL! I'LL BECOME ONE WITH HIM ANY DAY! ^_^

Okay, I'm back lol. Now, I'm not gonna make any promises about the next update. As I've mentioned before, writers block is back XP. Also, lately I have become what you would call "motivationally deprived". I have the strong need to write, but at the same time I have a hard time putting it down. And with exams going on? Good god, I'm this close to being brain-dead!

The major reason is my recent attachment to Hetalia has been filling up my mindspace. Putting together two new stories out of the blue on top of two sagas is gonna kill me one day XP I'm not giving up on this series. That is for DAMN sure! I'm still gonna update when I can, but I think I'm gonna try and get Hetalia off my back so that I can refocus on this. How's that sound? *crickets* Oh who asked you guys! XP

Alright guys, I got to go. I haven't been feeling well these past few days, and the last thing I need is to get sick. I'll update when I can, but remember: my education is my top priority right now. So don't expect anymore monthly updates for awhile.

As always, I love you all! Thanks so much for your patience, and more ideas for upcoming chapters are welcome! Talk to me via review or PM, I check both everyday! Now if you'll all excuse me, I'm gonna finish this episode of Hetalia real quick!


Hetalia: Axis Powers (Episode 13)

France: Hey, Russia?

France: I thought you might be mad with the way the meeting turned out.

Russia: No, not at all. I'm just happy to watch all of you talk stuff over. It's very nice that everyone make me feel like one of the gang. Besides, I hide dark secret no one will guess because of my sweet face!

France: *chuckle* You were such a cute country when you were a boy, now you're all grown up!

Russia: *whisper* An evil secret...

France: *gulp*

Russia: *creepy smile and evil-looking purple aura* When I look into all of your stupid faces, I think of how much fun it will be to pound them into dust!


*girly dreamy sigh* Isn't he hot?

Anyways, do svidanya! Lol, yeah I'm trying to teach myself Russian X) Yes, I'm obsessed, I know. My friend that introduced me to the anime won't stop giving me hell about it :-P

Laters!

~Luna