Seduce Me ~ The Path To Forgiveness

Path Three, Step Nine: Ill Omens

It was another hour before we bid each other goodnight, chatting softly in the tranquil paradise. I had expected it to be awkward, still feeling a pang of shame at my loss of control, but I found it far too easy to relax in his gentle presence. When I finally do make it to bed I find myself far too wound up to sleep, the nights events on a loop in my mind as delicately winged butterflies flutter wildly in my stomach, but after several hours I manage, waking up with the sunrise thoroughly rested and virtually glowing.

'Good morning!' I sign as I step into the dining room, a bright smile gracing my features, and James quirks a brow.

"You seem to be in an exceptionally good mood." He notes as I take my seat at the table.

"Had a.. pleasant evening?" Erik smirks, staring pointedly at Damien who ignores him as he turns to me, smiling as he whispers.

"Are you feeling any better? I ahhh.. couldn't help notice you were having trouble sleeping." My face flushes pink at the question, and the nervous way his finger tugs lightly at his collar.

'Much better actually. I'm sorry if I kept you up.'

"I wasn't complaining." He chuckles as he rises to his feet. "Coffee?"

'Please.'

"James, have you heard from William?" Damien asks as he returns from the kitchen, cup in hand, and James frowns as he glances up, shaking his head.

"No, I haven't. Not from lack of trying, his phone has been off."

"If you hear from him would you mind calling for me? There's something I need to speak with him about."

James nods but watches him curiously, doubtlessly asking the same question as I.

'Is everything alright?'

"Yes, it's nothing important." He replies, though something in his eyes as they meet mine tells me that's not the case, and I choose to leave it at that.

Breakfast is delicious and, though I'm not particularly hungry, I'm the first to clear my plate. We spend the time before school lounging in the dining room, my gaze curiously trailing after Sam as he exits the glass doors and disappears into the woods out back.

The kids are thrilled to see Damien again, hanging from him like a jungle gym as they sign their excited hellos, and only settle when Mrs. Sopp threatens to make him leave. Class drones on as normal, Damien and I chatting softly, but an hour before lunch Mrs. Sopp suddenly pauses, sighing as she looks up at the clock.

'Alright class, it's been a while since we've had craft time..'

'Yay!' I sign excitedly as several kids look back at me, jumping to my feet and they're quick to follow suit.

'Watercolors!' 'We could do colored sand!' 'Fingerprints!' The children sign out as I stand before the large cabinet, hands on my hips, but one suggestion is quick to catch on.

'Fingerprints!' 'Fingerprints!' Tiny hands flutter as I retrieve two boxes and carry them to the desk, Mrs. Sopp finishing pushing them together to make room for our project.

I pop the lids off both, one containing little colored ink pads and the other filled with an assortment of construction paper, scissors, colored pencils and glue.

"What are we doing?" Damien asks as he watches the children scramble excitedly for supplies.

'You've never done fingerprints?' Several of the kids sign in disbelief, already pulling him down as he shakes his head sheepishly.