Savannah POV

My heart was beating so fast and hard that I was surprised I couldn't see it through my shirt. I turned off the car before closing my eyes briefly to take a few deep breaths. Driving still scared the hell out of me. At this point, I couldn't imagine that I would ever be able to drive again with total confidence. It took a lot of effort, but often there was no other way.

Especially not when I wanted to visit Will. These visits were very important to me. Even though it made everything so real and the sadness hit me again every time. But I felt that it helped me to process it. Whenever I left, I felt a tiny bit lighter.

I walked towards his grave with heavy steps. Flowers in one hand, a blanket in the other. The sun was shining on the gravestone, making the few drops of rain that had fallen that morning glisten on it.

I knelt down in front of it for a moment to put the flowers down. Sighing, I wiped over his name engraved on the stone. Gosh, how much I missed him. I would have loved to dig myself into the ground to rest by his side forever. But God had other plans. Or at least that's what I kept telling myself so I wouldn't do something stupid.

Then I spread out the blanket so that I could sit down. I sat cross-legged and slowly began to tell Will everything that had happened in the last little while. And that's how I ended up spending almost an hour here. Alone, but a little lighter.

But finally it was time to go home. Damian would be home later today and I still had work to do.

I found it hard to believe, but his presence helped me not to feel so alone. Even though he was away a lot, it was helpful to know that he would be back at some point. I hadn't expected it, but it was good not to feel completely isolated, even if I often was.

*****

Many hours later, I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep, but as always, that was easier said than done. I tossed and turned from side to side for what felt like hours. It was probably the fear of the recurring nightmares that was getting to me. They woke me up far too often. At some point, I'd had enough. I threw the blanket aside and went into the kitchen. If I couldn't sleep, then I could work just as well.

I put on my fluffy slippers before sitting down at the kitchen island. I switched on the laptop. The bright light stung my eyes for a moment until they got used to it. It was hard to concentrate, but it was better than the alternative.

*****

Damian POV

Exhausted, I entered the house as quietly as I could. As it was later than I thought, I was sure Savannah must be fast asleep by now. And the last thing I wanted to do was wake her.

The last few weeks since I'd moved in had gone well. It wasn't nearly as awkward as we had both initially feared. On the contrary. We actually got along pretty well.

I put my suitcases to one side. There was still enough time in the morning to unpack and take care of the laundry. But as I hadn't eaten anything yet, I went into the kitchen to treat myself to a quick snack. Before I did, I switched on one of the small lamps.

But as soon as I turned the corner, I saw Savannah sleeping with her arms resting on the kitchen island. The light from her computer gave her face a creepy glow. At least it was progress that she didn't seem to be having nightmares. It had happened more than once that I was woken up in the middle of the night by her screams.

Every time I noticed this, I went into her room, knelt down next to the bed and talked to her soothingly until she calmed down again. Most of the time it seemed to help and she was able to sleep for that night.

However, I suspected that she didn't even remember because she never once said a word to me about it. Maybe she wasn't ready to. In any case, I didn't say anything either. If it was right, she could still talk to me.

I walked up to her and gently shook her shoulder.

"Savvy? Come on, sweetheart. Go to bed..." I said quietly so as not to scare her.

"No... I'll be fine... I'm not tired..." she breathed after the third try.

"Did you have bad dreams again?" I wanted to know.

"Didn't get to that part..." she said slurred, obviously anything but awake.

"Come on, this is no place to sleep," I encouraged her.

"I really don't want to... Can't we watch a movie?" she asked as she lifted her head a little more awake and looked at me.

"Sure." I replied.

I knew she wouldn't be able to hold out for long anyway. And then I could just carry her to bed.

So we sat on the couch and watched a movie. I couldn't really concentrate. I was still waiting for Savannah to fall asleep. In fact, she couldn't keep her eyes open for more than 15 minutes. Slowly but surely, she slipped deeper and deeper into the pillows until she finally slumped against me and began to breathe deeply. I waited a few minutes longer to make sure that the sleep was deep.

Then I carefully scooted off the couch and slowly slid my arms under her. And so I carried her into her bedroom. Hopefully she would be spared the nightmares. Because I could tell that it threw her back a little each time.

"Thank you D..." she breathed as her head touched the pillow.

A small smile on her lips. I tucked her in before wiping a strand of hair from her forehead.

"You're welcome..." I whispered before retreating to my room.