The Babysitter

~12. I love you.~

An unwell feeling filled my stomach. "Are you alright?" Rustling filled the air with noises and I couldn't help but think she tried to hide something. Fuck it. I'm taking back the no pressure thing. "Open the door. Veronica." I tried to turn the knob again, without success. "Veronica, are you alright?!" I must have sounded pathetic, but I couldn't care less. My fist repeatedly came in contact with the wood, until Vera opened the door.

There she stood, half way in the doorway. Her shaking fingers, barley managed to keep a hold on the door. Chestnut curls were pointing downwards, masquerading that beautiful face and my eyes immediately caught Vera's nude legs, before spotting the white ointment on her new cuts. My brows knitted. "Oh my love..." I embraced her and the second I hold Vera's shaking body, was the moment big sobs escaped her lips, as well as the moment in which her legs gave in on her and we were sinking to the ground.

"I'm sorry Cate. I'm so sorry!" Vera cried into my chest and I realized what she was referring to at the front door. She wasn't sorry for crying onto my clothes. "I really didn't meant to- I'm sorry!" The brunette trembled and clung onto me.

"My angel-" A louder sob interrupted me, forcing my arms to pull her closer. "I'm here now. Shh.. I'm here and I won't go anywhere. I'm here.." I whispered, as the warmth of her body, pressed harder against me. "Shhh.. my love."

My fingers began to twirl her soft curls, whilst the woman on my lap slowly began to calm down. The shaking and whimpering faded soon, leaving only slow and regular deep breaths from the both of us, lingering in the air.

"I..."

"Why did you do it?" I stroke her hair. "I was just gone for..." I was gone... "I was just gone for a few days.. Vera, please look at me." To my surprise, she rose her gaze and those puffy and red eyes glared at me, showing me how much the weight on her shoulders must have been to carry. My fingers were gently placed underneath her chin anyway. "I want to help you, but if you don't talk to me, I won't be able to."

"You don't need to help me." The brunette's brows furrowed and her lips began to tremble, just before more tears slipped down her face. My thumbs dried her hot cheeks, subsequently I placed a kiss on her wet lips.

"Mhm salty." I watched, how her smile returned slowly.

She exhaled deeply and sniffed. "I don't-" Vera stopped mid sentence and bit down on her lower lip. "I felt so overwhelmed with everything and my feelings... I got so used to your presence, that I forgot how lonely I was, before I met you and so I kept sinking and sinking... until I, eventually, couldn't take it anymore." Her tone was quieter than usual, hence she managed to speak, without many pauses.

I hold her throughout her explanation, which seemed to be the right decision. "Thank you for being honest." I whispered and pulled her head onto my chest again. "Oh darling.." I sighed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to disappoint you- what about your suit?!" Vera gasped out and moved off my lap, before I was able to hold her in place. Her eyes darted down onto my stomach, so I did it her same, spotting a stain of the ointment.

"Don't worry. I didn't like this suit too much." The brunette's expression didn't soften, so I placed my hands on each side of her face. "Sweetheart, don't. -hey, look at me. Good girl. You have to listen, okay? I want to help you. You don't have to go through this on your own, my love."

"Cate, I don't want to be a burden. This won't be easy and I couldn't stand the idea, of you feeling forced to help me-"

"Why do you think I offered the help? Hm? I don't let anyone tell me anything." I stroke the soft fur on her cheeks. "I am all in. I always was, darling. Since I first got to know what was going on and even though you might have felt like it was a mistake, which it was in your eyes, I know." I watched her smile faintly. "But I am glad. I am so glad, I got to see you like that, because you would have never talked to me about it otherwise, would you?" A soft simper played over my lips.