34 : I'm here

**Raphael :**

Pursing my lips, with my arms crossed over my chest, I watched as my girl slept sweetly, curled up in the blanket I had covered her with.

When I found out I had a blood brother who was trying to kill me to get to my queen, I had to find out all the info on what was going on and how because as a Phoenix - like myself - he was very good at hiding and was much smarter than I had thought.

I didn't manage to find him right away but through good acquaintances and connections, I found out some good things that I had to think about. I needed a plan to get to him and find out why my own brother was trying to get me out of the way and even more so - why he needs my girl.

Looking at Evelyn now, gently snoring in her sleep, not even aware of what was going on around her, I realized how fragile she really is. I couldn't let anything happen to her, especially on my watch. I'm not going to make the same mistake again. The memory of it was like yesterday.

My hand clenched into a tight fist and I gritted my teeth in anger but also a fear I hadn't felt in a long time since I lost Evelyn the first time.

‘’Raphy?’’ I heard a low voice behind me and I quickly looked in that direction, giving him a death glare but then sighed heavily.

"What? And don't call me that, you know I hate it.''

''I'm sorry, I wanted to cheer you up,'' Luke chuckled weakly as he entered the room, even though I didn't give him permission to do so. I had to get used to the way he took care of my Evelyn when I was away myself, '' By the way, how is she? Still sleeping?''

''Yeah,'' my eyes go back to the small sleeping form and I have to smile. She looks like a bunny curled up in its den. I still wonder how I can be so lucky to have Evelyn because I know I'm just destroying everything in my path.

Luke goes silent for a moment and I force myself to give him a glance,’’ Thank you...And...I'm sorry for my behaviour, I don't know what I would do if I didn't have someone to look after her…’’ Words were hard to be told from my tongue because I hadn't apologised to him for a long time since we parted ways. I felt uncomfortable for the first time in his presence because Luke proved in the last days that he can be a serious and helpful brother when I really needed him the most.

I was the one who usually pushed him away and commanded him to not disturb me but I knew my hatred was what drove him away.

Luke looks at me in shock, his mouth hanging open, not knowing what to say, so before he can say anything to me again, I glowered at him and turned away. ''Don't say anything if you don't want me to take it back.'' But I felt him smile as silence fell between us again.

"I'll go then, I don't want to disturb you any more, she will wake up soon and will definitely be happy to see you," I felt him finally withdrawing. I didn't answer, of course, but a small smile crept onto my face as my silence signalled him to leave the bedroom, closing the door behind him.

He didn't need to know, but Luke’s words gave me a little comfort as I took the few steps to the bed, kneeling down so I was eye level with Evelyn’s sleepy face. My hand gently touched her hair and temples as I felt a pleasant current tingling sensation on my skin, caused by me touching her.

There was no doubt about it, *she was mine.*

Seeing her fragile neck begging me to lean closer and gently kiss the soft flesh, I felt a sharp intake of breath right by my ear and I smiled knowingly.

‘’Raph - Raphael?’’I could hear the shock and disbelief but what pleased me more was the relief and joy I felt when I leaned back to find two bright blue eyes staring back at me.

"Missed me?" I had to smile but soon my smile disappeared as she jumped on top of me and with a growl from me, we both fell to the ground, her practically in my lap, her arms tightly around my neck.

''Don't ever do that again! I was worried about you! You could have died!''There were tears and I immediately softened when I grabbed her body tightly, pressing it close to me. My baby was so cute. So precious.

"Shhh, shh, I'm here, sweetheart,’’ running my hand through her hair, I let her cry into my neck, smiling lightly with happiness, thankful that she's in my arms and even more so that she's not pushing me away like she did at first .

''Promise you won't leave me alone again, I can't...'' My angel is struggling to speak from crying as she stutters along with her words, so I lean down to lift her chin with my fingers.

Her lips twitches gently and I can't help but touch them to stop the tears she wants to release again. My finger gently grazes her tempting lips and I had to stop for a moment not to think about what else those lips can do. I close my eyes and take a long breath as I open them again to see Evelyn looking at me, small worry lines appearing on her forehead giving me a concerned look.

I have to smile back at that as I lean in closer and feel her heart skip a beat as my lips finally meet her sweet ones.

"Mmm," I hear a small chuckle from her as I give her a soft kiss and whisper softly, "I promise."

Even if I wanted my promise to be true, I knew it was a lie, even if I didn't want to hurt her. When the time comes, I would have to leave her again to end the danger that threatened to take her away from me again, so I wasn't going to let that happen, I wanted to enjoy her company while I could.

She was and still is my world. I didn't see a future without her.

Giving me the sweetest, most radiant smile possible, Evelyn hugs me again and this time gives me a kiss herself.

*Well, how can I refuse it? I couldn’t do it even if I try.*