Hendrix ✓

46 ★ Cherry

𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕣𝕪 𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕖 - 𝕙𝕠𝕫𝕚𝕖𝕣

"She loves like sleep to the freezing

Sweet, and right, and merciful

I'm all but lost in the tide of her breathing"

Hendrix POV

     When I wake up, things in the air feel almost different. A tangible shift that I can't quite figure out has happened. I heave myself up, a difficult task with the enormous weight in my middle and the energy that I don't have. The baby gives a disgruntled kick to my ribs, a reminder that the fetus has already turned. He or she is not very happy with the sudden motion.

     I palm my belly, rubbing it in reassurance. That's when I spot the two envelopes on my bedside table. I squint at the nightstand, almost like I'm imaging them.

     Where did those come from? I reach out for them, the paper foreign in my hands while I turn them over. My name is printed neatly, as well as my address from Virginia. There's no return address, only a name in the top left corner.

     Cedric.

     I glance at the door, wondering if he put these here. Why would he address them if that were the case? Why give them to me now? I sigh, ripping one open out of sheer curiosity.

     The cream paper is covered in cursive lettering, so beautiful and perfect that I pause. I don't know if I should be reading this. It is addressed to me, isn't it?

     So I start reading.

     Hendrix,

     It's been too long since I've seen you, since I've smelled you. Every time I close my eyes, I feel you. You haunt me every waking and slumbering moment. I hope you know how much you've changed my life.

     I wish I could be there. To be beside you is all I've ever wanted. You haven't replied to any of my letters, haven't received any of my countless calls. If you need your space, I understand.

     All I ask is that you understand this; I love you, and I'll be returning shortly. I need you.

     I'm not supposed to be coming back so soon. You're still in danger, and I know I should be stronger and stay away, but I can't. I hope you will forgive me. It seems impossible, but I still have hope, it's all I have when you're not here.

     I'll be there before the month is through. I hope this letter made its way to you safely, because I can't bear the idea of you being without a few comforting words.

     Always yours,
     Cherry

     By the time I'm finished reading, tears are in my eyes. It's not uncommon to be overly emotional when being pregnant, having a ton of crazy hormones and all, but with or without those I believe I'd still be a mess over this.

     I don't even have to read the second one, I'm already standing up, and then collapsing when my body goes weak. My head swims, and I nearly black out. I take a deep breath, and then try again.

      Once I'm successful, up and through the door, I'm racing to get down the stairs. I grip the banister, hoping that Cedric is here. I spent enough time sleeping in his apartment to know that he's an early riser.

     I flee from room to room, already getting out of breath from the quick movements. I want to find him. I need to talk to him.

     My body is thrown backwards when it hits a brick wall, but arms are suddenly around me before I hit the floor. I gasp. They're so strong, completely solid. I assume that they belong to Cedric. Then I realize that there's no fuzzy feeling.