I lay her on my bed. She fell asleep as we drove to my place , I can't get the worried face of Ethan from my head.

"Let's go for your bubble bath." I instruct.

"Dad?" He calls.

"Yes?" I look at him expectantly.

"Is mommy going to be okay?" He asks.

"Of course. Nothing is going to happen to your mom." I say.

And I bathe him. Of course it's not boring. We play a little soldier war game. And sing a few songs.

"Dad is grandma coming over?" He asks as we head to his room to get him dressed.

"I hope she does." I say smiling. Then I hear footsteps.

"In here!" I yell.

Charlotte walks in. Her brows are furrowed.

"I didnt see Gemma in the room I prepared." She says.

"I laid her in my room. Shes sleeping there." I tell her. She nods.

"Hey Ethan. " she greets the boy. His eyes light up and he waves at my sister.

"I'm going over to Scott's, there's a bit of a reunion on his mother's side of the family in Rio. I'll see you when I come back." She says.

I sigh, she knows that I don't really trust this Scott guy of hers. But I love her and I hate disappointing her.

"Char... just be safe for me okay? You know what's happening to women these days." I say holding the bridge of my nose.

I've never had any siblings growing up , but having Charlotte here makes me long for having a sister when I was younger.

There is alot of stress that comes with it though. Like what these men out there would do to her. I fear for her.

"I'll be safe. I promise. Alright later, I love you. " she says.

"I love you more. And tell that Scott that I'm watching him." I tell her. She chuckles.

"Stop threatening my boyfriend." She laughs and leaves.

"Dad?" Ethan asks as I dry him.

"Yes buddy?" I answer letting him apply lotion.

"Is my mommy okay? Is she going to die?" He asks and my heart immediately breaks.

How do I answer him? I mean of course Gem is alright but what made him think that?

"Buddy, what makes you think that your mother is going to die?" I ask him.

"Jeremy. " the little boy says.

I tense hearing that name. What is Jeremy going to do. What does this little boy know?

"What do you mean Jeremy?" I ask. He looks a bit uncomfortable but then he frowns.

"He told me everyone dies. That one day mommy will also die." What?

"Why would he say that?" I almost yell.

"He says it's normal. That it happens to everyone." He says.

My heart is boiling with anger. Why would this boy's father talker to his about death like that ? Why just why?

"Champ, mommy is not going to leave us. Not now, not ever okay? Jeremy was just lying. Dont believe him." I tell him.

He smiles and nods. I grab a packet of crackers and I hand them to him.

"Eat your snack." I tell him.

He eats while telling me stories about dinosaurs. About a week ago, I enrolled him to a really good day care. He starts next week.

I tell him all about it. Then he asks me to read him a bed time story. He falls asleep so quickly that I'm left reading the book by my self.

I kiss his forehead and cover him with a thin fleece.

I head to my bed room. I dont see Gem anywhere.  Panick settles in my chest. Where could she have gone?

I walk into the bathroom and I dont find her. But there is a bit of steam on the mirrors which means that she was showering. I check my walk in closet.

And there she is.

She is standing infront of a mirror, completely naked. Her body is absolutely gorgeous. Her olive skin shines under the light. Her hair is pulled into a messy bun.

I take a moment to appreciate her beauty.

But then I realise what shes doing.  Her arms are holding her stomach protectively. She is trembling out of her skin.

She stares at her belly for a while before dropping down and crying. I notice for the first time, the few scars and bruises on her body.  But I know that she recently fell front stairs.

I grab a blanket and I put it over her body. I ignore my hardened manhood and I caress her now covered with a blanket body.

And she cries.  She cries for a while before falling asleep.

I carry her and then drop her on my bed.

I walk straight into the office and begin working.

An email pops up and it's from Mr Larson.

I open it.

Dear Nathan

I am pleased to invite you to our thirtieth annual Charity Ball. It would be absolutely wonderful for you to grace us with your presence and hopefully a plus one. We look forward to seeing you.

More information will be communicated.

XXX

Mr Larson and Diversity inc.

I remember those balls. I used to go every year. And the first ever plus one I brought there was my girlfriend Helen, she is a model.

And a few months after I showed up with Elizabeth. I remember announcing our engagement there.

I dont think I want to go this year.

A silent knock gets me out of my little trans. Ethan stood there. He rubs his eyes and looks at me.

"Buddy, is everything alright?" I ask him.

He walks over and sits on the nearby chair.

"I'm hungry dad." He says.

"Okay, what do you want to eat?" I ask him.

"Hotdog! Hotdog!" He yelps.

"Okay, I think we can make some." I tell him.

As we're in the kitchen making hotdogs, I hear footsteps descending down the stairs. She finds Ethan and I cooking.

Her face is void of any emotion. She just stairs. It's like there's an ingredient missing from the recipe. And that ingredient is her signature smile.

"Hey. You want something to eat?" I ask. Ethan looks to who I am talking to and he bolts towards her.

"Mommy, mommy." He says hugging her. She doesnt return the hug. She just sits down on the couch and brings her knees to her chest.

The disappointment on the little boy's face breaks my heart.

I carry him and put him on the counter. I give him his hotdog and he eats it.

His frown immediately disappear and his face is covered with a smile. A priceless smile covers his face. I'm grateful for the opportunity to appreciate it.

I stare at Gem.

She is wearing my grey joggers which are tight around her ass but looser than loose doing further down and a large white T shirt of mine.

Her face looks horrid.  Her eyes are red and puffy, her nose is pink and her mouth looks glued shut.

Fresh tears roll down her eyes as she rocks back and forth.

I call mom. She answers within seconds .I ask her to come over and take Ethan to the bakery with her.

In a few minutes she takes him and leaves.

I walk over to the couch and I try to comfort her. She cries.

Tears fall freely from her eyes.

"Gem, you have to each something." I tell her.

She doesnt say anything, she doesnt do anything. She just stares at the black wall.

"Come on sun flower. Eat something. Or at least drink some tea or water." I beg beg her but she doesnt budge.

So I settle for just holding onto her until she falls asleep.

Somehow I fall asleep as well. I wake up to mom whispering.

"I put my baby to bed. And dont worry about dinner. He already had some." She says.

"Thank ma." I tell her. The face she makes, I know exactly what she is going to say.

"You dont have to thank me. That little boy is like a grandbaby to me." She says.

"And baby, give the girl some time. She'll come around , she just needs some time." She adds.

We say our salutations and she leaves.

Gem is just seating there. Staring blankly on the wall. I doubt she had actually fallen asleep.

"Come let's go to bed." I tell her.

She doesnt stand. I sigh looking at her.

I carry her up the stairs. Her breathing is normal but I know that what she is going through is more than what I think.

I lay her on my bed and I head for a shower. I relax under the water and soon I'm out. Wearing my black jogger and topless. I get into bed.

For a moment I'm puzzled as to who is in my bed. I haven't had a woman in this bed since Elizabeth.

But then I see gorgeous brown afro hair. And I suddenly remember that Gem is here with me.

My heart beats fast as I pull her closer to my chest. Afraid that this might be a dream , afraid to fall and sleep and wake up because she'll be gone.

I fall asleep .