Chapter 56 Seeking Comfort

Chapter 56 Seeking Comfort
Corran

April has been extra clingy tonight. Maybe clingy isn’t the right word. She has been seeking more comfort and closeness. I understand, though. She is feeling vulnerable. She didn’t eat much at dinner either. I didn’t force it. I know what it feels like to be sick to my stomach; it is almost impossible to eat. It lasts for weeks at the beginning, but as time passes, it happens less often; it still shows up from time to time. Your body is reminding you of your loss, of grieving. It is horrible, but sadly, it can’t be helped. It is all part of the process, alongside a million other horrible things. 

April is lying down, using my lap as a pillow, with a blanket over her because she is cold and shivering. It isn’t that cold tonight, but she seems to be feeling it. A film is playing on the TV. 

I look down at her, noticing she's having difficulty keeping her eyes open. “April, go to bed. You're having trouble staying awake," I suggest, gently stroking her hair. 

“What time is it?” she asks softly, her voice tinged with exhaustion. 

I glance at my phone. “Ten thirty.” 

Sitting up, she runs her fingers through her messy hair and sighs. “Can I come and stay with you at your place tonight?” Her tone is nervous. 

“Of course. Or I can stay here with you.” 

“I don’t want to stay here tonight. Something about my place tonight is making me really sad,” she says honestly. 

“Okay, we can go to mine. Get what you need for tomorrow, and we can head over.” 

April smiles and kisses my cheek. “Thank you,” she says, then disappears to get her things. 

I tidy up the small mess and ensure everything is turned off. April comes back a few minutes later, carrying an overnight bag. We leave her apartment and go to mine. 

I close the door behind us. "Would you like anything before bedtime?" 

"No, I’m fine. I just want to sleep and for today to end." 

I nod and take her hand, guiding her to my bedroom. She excuses herself to wash up and change in the bathroom. I change into PJ bottoms. April walks in wearing Groot shorts and an oversized T-shirt, possibly Corbin's—I won’t mention it, fearing it might upset her again. 

“Make yourself comfortable, beautiful. I am going to wash up.” 

Nodding, she crawls into my bed and makes herself comfortable. I go to the bathroom to wash up, then join her. She is almost asleep. I chuckle and slip in next to her, switching off the lamp. The second I lie down, April snuggles into me. I wrap my arm around her and make sure she is covered up. 

I kiss the top of her head. “Rest well, beautiful.” 

“Thank you for looking after me, Corran. Goodnight,” she whispers. 

It only takes seconds for her to start breathing shallowly and fall into a deep sleep. I hold her close, hoping tomorrow will bring her a better day. Though I am not ready to sleep, I will stay awake for her. Eventually, sleep will come to me, too. 



The sound of my alarm going off wakes me. I switch it off and glance over at April, who is still asleep. She must be in a deep sleep if she didn’t wake to my alarm. She has work, but I honestly don’t think she should go in, not after what happened last night. Maybe I can talk her out of going. I can do the same and not go to work. Instead, we can get away from here for the day. We could take a drive to St Andrews. It doesn’t take long. If she isn’t feeling up to it, we can stay here. 

Only moments later, the sound of her alarm echoes through the room. Groaning, she wakes and quickly switches it off. She pulls the covers over her head. “No, I don’t want to go. I need more sleep.” 

I lift the covers. “Call in sick. I'll do the same. You can sleep a bit longer, or we could leave the city for a while." 

“I might do that, but I don’t have the patience or energy to go in today. I dislike calling in sick, yet today might be the worst day for me to be at work. I'm not in the right mood to be around anyone.”

“Does that include me? I can let you be for the day.” 
April shakes her head. “No, it doesn’t include you. I enjoy having you around. You bring a calming presence to me. Can we stay in bed a bit longer and then maybe go somewhere?” 

“Whatever you need, beautiful.” 

April reaches up and pecks my lips before she calls in sick. I don’t need to call in. I can email my assistant. If anything important or urgent comes up, she can reach me on my mobile. 

“Are you still tired?” 

“No, I am okay. You sleep. I will nip out and get some things for breakfast, maybe a picnic to take with us, and coffee. I am out of coffee.” 

“Oh no, you can’t go without coffee. Do you want me to come with you?” 

“No, you stay here and sleep," I say with a smile. 

“Are you certain you're comfortable with me being here alone?” 

I gently kiss her forehead. “Yes, I'm okay with that. You should get some more rest. I'll wake you when breakfast is ready.” 

She nods and settles back down. I grab some clothes, wash up, and head out. I won’t be away for long. I email my assistant on my walk. If April isn’t up for going out, we can have a picnic in the house. I will do whatever she needs. She needs a day of rest and relaxation. 

There are many different places we can go. Scotland is full of stunning places, and she hasn’t really had a chance to see many of them. It will help take her mind off things, but we’ll see how it goes.