Because You Love Me

I hear the sky grumble.

"Come on sweetie time to go inside." I say to my son Nick. We were at the beach collecting sea shells. I can tell it is going to rain soon and hard.

"Mama." He says and motions his hands into fists signaling he wants me to pick him up. I do and then kiss his cheek.

"Yes?" I ask and make our way back to the house.

"Daddy?" He asks and points to the ocean because Finnick left to go fishing an hour ago.

"He's coming home Nicky." I say as we get closer to home.

I set him down when we are almost to the front door. He is about to run in when I stop him.

"Sweetie, remember rise off your feet so we don't get sand everywhere." I tell him even though you can never truly have sand in your house in District Four. No matter how much I vacuum it's always there.

"Okay." He says and giggles when I use the hose on him.

"Let's go." I say and open the front door.

Nick wraps his arms around himself and shivers. "I'm cold Mama." He says and shivers.

"You're okay. Let's get you a bath and then something to eat, okay?" I ask and he nods.

I get him washed and dressed, then I dress myself and we head downstairs.

"Mama, Daddy still isn't here." He whispers and runs towards the windows and presses his hands to the glass.

I walk over to him and pry him from the window.

"Daddy is fine. I promise." I smile but Nick doesn't smile back. "Why don't I make you something to eat?" I say and he hesitantly nods. I set him down and he goes back to the window.

I turn on the stove and get water to boil. I'm going to make him mac n cheese.

I pour in the noodles when the water has boiled.

I look towards the living room and see Nick has moved and is now waving his toy boat around.

I look back at the stove and start to stir in the cheese.

It starts to downpour and thunder and lighting loudly.

I hear frantic footsteps.

"Mama." Nick whimpers and comes running towards me. He grips my leg as if his life depended on it.

I lean down and pick him up.

"We're okay." I say and brush my finger over his nose.

He leans into my chest.

"I made you macaroni, let's sit down and eat." I say.

"Mama." He whispers.

"Don't worry Nicky we're okay." I say and kiss his cheek.

I set him down and run my fingers through his hair.

"We're okay." I say again even though the storm has gotten worse.

He nods and finishes his dinner.

I think I have calmed him down when the power goes out.

He leans next to me and grips me tightly.

"Mama where are the lights?" He whispers alarmed.

"They went out sweetie." I kiss his forehead. "They'll be back real soon." I whisper.

"Mama." He cries.

I pick him up and place him in my lap.

He leans into my chest.

"Don't cry Nicky." I say and keep kissing the same spot on his head.

"But Mama, I'm a'scared." He whispers and grips my shirt.

I kiss the top of his head.

"You're okay sweetie." I say and run my fingers through his bronze curls.

"It's dark Mama." He whispers and pushes himself closer to me.

"We're okay and the lights will come back on real quick." I say and kiss the top of his head.

"What about Daddy?" He whispers.

I kiss the top of his head.

"Daddy's fine." I whisper.

"But he was a'swimming."

"He's fine sweetie." I whisper. "Why don't I make you some hot coco and bring Teddy down." I kiss his cheek. "Then I can read you a story."

He nods against my chest. I put the tea kettle on and we head upstairs to his room. I find Teddy on his bed.

"Here you go Nicky." I say and hand it to him. He smushes Teddy between me and himself.

I hear the tea kettle whistle and we head downstairs.

I take it off the burner and get the mugs.

"Do you want marshmallows in yours sweetie?" I ask and he nods.

"So does Teddy." He says.

"You and Teddy can share okay?" I say and kiss the top of his head.

"Okay." He says.

I pour the water and make sure to splash some milk into Nick's so he doesn't burn his tongue.

"I love you sweetie." I say and place it in front of him. "Now remember it's hot so you have to blow." I say and he nods. A loud crackle of thunder hits and he whimpers

"Mama." He whimpers and moves closer to me.

"I'm right here." I say and wrap my arm around him.

He reaches for my shirt and holds onto it tightly.

"You're okay baby." I whisper and smooth his hair.

I watch him drink his hot chocolate while I drink mine.

"Do you want more?" I ask when he has finished.

He shakes his head.

"Okay." I whisper and pull him up so he can sit on my lap. He leans against my chest.

"I want Daddy here." He whispers.

"Daddy's going to be here soon. I promise." I whisper and kiss his cheek.

I rock him back and forth. I keep kissing the top of his head and rubbing his back.

I soon hear his breathing deepen and know he has fallen asleep.

I would usually take him upstairs but I don't want to risk waking him up.

The storm starts to let up and then the door opens and I see a sopping wet Finnick.

"Not on the floor." I whisper as he takes a few steps. "I put out towels and everything." I say.

"Excuse me." He says and makes his way over here.

"You're completely drenched." I smile.

"Yeah well... I think it's turning into a hurricane out there." He pats Nick's head.

"You think we should leave?" I ask.

"I think we'll be okay. How's Nicky?" He asks.

"He was scared. He doesn't like rain." I kiss his forehead. "He was worried about you."

"He wasn't the only one was he?" Finnick says.

"I knew you would come home." I say.

"He should've too." Finnick says.

"He's only three Finnick."

"I know." He says.

"Mmmh." Nick moans and rustles in my arms.

"Let's go upstairs Nicky." I whisper and stand up.

"I'm gonna shower." Finnick says and kisses my cheek then Nick's.

I get upstairs and place Nick in his bed. I turn on his nightlight. I'm about to leave when I hear.

"Mama."

I come closer to him.

"Yes?" I say and move hair from his eyes.

"Daddy?" He asks with hope in his eyes.

I nod.

"Daddy's home." I kiss his forehead.

"Where?" He asks more alert.

"I'll tell Daddy to come and see you okay sweetie?" I say and he nods.

I leave the room. Finnick finishes his shower rather quickly. I don't think he actually showered, I think he just wanted to stand under some warm water and get rid of the sea salt.

"Hey." He says and kisses me.

"Nick wants to see you." I say.

We head into his room and see Nick is almost asleep.

"Nicky." Finnick says.

"Daddy?" Nick moans.

"It's me." Finnick says and kisses him.

"I was a'worried about ya." He mumbles.

"I know Mommy told me." He kisses his forehead. "But I'm fine. I had to come home and see you again."

Nick giggles.

"Because you love me." He says.

"That's right." Finnick kisses his cheek.

"I'm was a'worried because of the rain and how the waves get all angry."

"You don't need to worry about that Nick. I'm always going to come home."

He smiles.

"Because you love me." Nick whispers.

"That's right Mommy and I love you." He says and Nick starts to fall asleep.