Page 128 of Lumi

Lumi stood with her mouth slightly open when I turned my back and walked into my apartment building. Stomping up to my floor, I felt the disappointment lift a little. Lumi had never been in a long-term relationship like I had. She’d never lived with a man, and I would need to be more patient with her, except I wanted everything with her, now!

After watching a movie, I crawled into bed after looking at my phone for the fiftieth time. My fingers wrote a text to apologize, but I deleted it before I sent it. What I’d said tonight had been harsh, but true. There was a real chance that Lumi was pregnant with our child, and someone had to tell her that having children was no fucking joke.

The minutes ticked by slowly as a preview of how endless these next days without Lumi would feel.

I could fill my time just fine, but I was old enough to admit to myself that everything was better when she was around.

Turning my phone on, I checked to see if I’d missed a message from her, but no.

I counted sheep, I tried to read a little, and I tossed and turned. If Lumi had been here, I could have made love to her and cuddled up to sleep like a baby.

It took until two in the morning before I fell asleep.

My dreams were violent and work-related. We were storming the Red Manor again, but this time, Lumi didn’t want to leave with me. She pushed me away, and I roared in horror as she got shot while I stood powerless and watched it.

I fell to my knees next to her while gunshots were fired around me. Taking off my helmet, I bent down to kiss her. This Lumi was an adult and her eyes were teary as she held her hand on top of her bleeding stomach.

“Damian,” her lips whispered my name as I held on to her shoulders.

“Why did you push me away? I came to save you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

Her eyes were closing with tears streaming down her temples as she lay on the floor, bleeding to death.

“Don’t leave me, Lumi. Stay.” My voice was pleading.

“Damian.”

“I’m here…”

“Damian, wake up.”

The touch of my shoulder made my mind rush from the dream to protective mode. My eyes flew open as I sat up.

“It’s me. You were having a nightmare.”

“Lumi.”

She was standing next to my bed with a worried expression.

“How did you get here?”

“I realized that I had your car, and you might need it tomorrow. I still had your house key, so I let myself in.” Lifting her hand, Lumi showed me a set of keys.

I reached out for her and pulled her down on the bed, hugging her tight. “I dreamt ye died.”

“I’m sorry.” Her fingers nuzzled my hair. “It was just a nightmare, D.”

My racing heart was pounding against my ribs as I pressed my head against her neck.

“Scoot over.”

Without words, I moved to the side and made room for her. Lumi positioned herself on her side facing me, and then she took my hand. “I thought about what you said.”

“And?”