In this Space

Sandra beams at this and eagerly leads the way. She's so quick as she zips around the property and to his quarter. Yes, he had a quarter as that was how large the property was. It came with all the trimmings and was even updated with modern technology and fittings, I suppose would be River's personal touches.

Approaching his door, my breath catches at the sight before me. I can feel Sandra watch as I stare at the floor length portrait of who I'd presume was Xiomora.
"Master had this painted for her wedding gift."

She was indeed beautiful. Tall with black sleek hair down to the small of her back. Pale skin and bold cherry lips. She wore a black kimono, securely tied and revealing nothing beneath. I remember that she was a modest woman.
"She never got to see it."
My voice comes out as a whisper. Her eyes look beyond the artist who paints her. The expression is both admiration and worry. I feel as though she'd always worried. Always having to look over her shoulder.

"She never did."
I jump a little as River stands besides me. Sandra respectfully bows her head before him.
"Would you like anything to drink?" He turns to me and I struggle to find words so I shake my head no.
"Thank you Sandra, you may leave us."

We hear her small footsteps carry down the hallway.
"I didn't scare you did I?"
I remember he asked me that before. We smile at each other and I assure him he didn't. River doesn't quite believe me but leaves it and we look back at her.
"In what way do I remind you of her. We're so different looking."
Even though he has a walking stick, River still stands tall enough for me to look up at him. He's wearing a robe and no shirt underneath. I keep my eyes on his instead. His hair has been getting long, face left for the stubble to overgrow. He always has this twinkle in his eye, like he knows something I don't.
"In ways that transcend appearance."
This house was very lonely, and very big. We're standing alone in this hallway, and quite close together. I realise now that we've turned to face each other completely. When did that happen?

"How are you feeling?"
I ask hoping to get him to stop looking at me like that, and making my stomach feel fluttery. He sighs and breaks the eye contact.
"Fine. Nothing seems to break this body." He says it almost regretfully. It makes my heart hurt. Before I can stop it, my hand reaches out to touch his face.
"Don't say that. Your body is strong because your soul is. And I wouldn't want to see that spirit broken."
River softly chuckles, and I feel his skin grow really hot. Mine feels the same. My heart is racing, too.
"Same here." He tells me, placing his hand there feeling it's rhythm.

"Why?"
Why do I feel this connection with him? Why now? I don't want to hurt anybody but these feelings are unexplainable.
"I've been asking that my whole life. Eventually you just have to accept it." He shrugs, taking back his hand. He lets it fall to his side but we don't move from each other.
"I can't do that."
"I have Rolf." He almost winces at his name. I step back a little.
"Let's go downstairs."

...

I left River's and now was wandering the local area. My hand wanders to my stomach, and I'm suddenly hungry. Really hungry. It actually growls at me.
"Alright alright. We'll find something."
I eventually find myself standing outside of a quaint, family restaurant. It was approaching sunset and they had these little warm lights on. There were a few customers inside. I was about to text Rolf where I was but my stomach growled again. I sigh and make my way inside.

There were tables everywhere but I chose to sit at the bar. A man was beside me, I couldn't see his face. He was hurled over, it was sort of strange but I respected his privacy.
"Can I have the cheeseburger, fries with a side of onion rings and an apple pie. Please?"
The server and I stare at each other for a few seconds before she breaks out in an amused smile and puts my order down. Wow, all in one breath I suppose she was thinking.
What can I say, I was incredibly hungry only having eaten breakfast hours earlier.

My food came and very quickly it went. That man beside me stayed in the exact same position all the while, and other customers filled and emptied the restaurant for the next hour or two. My phone kept buzzing but I chose to ignore it, my mind wanting some solace from familiar faces. That ended abruptly as the stranger next door turned to face me.

"Hi dad."
I awkwardly smile at him.
"Hi sweetheart. You're here all alone?"
"Hungry huh?" He looks at my plate.
"I was." I pat my stomach. His eyes follow my action and there's a realisation there. He chooses not to say anything though. I'm a little confused. There's a voice in my head now, putting together all these pieces. The hunger, the feelings, his face.
"It can't be."

"I'm pregnant?"

My father smiles at me and pulls me into a hug. I hear the server sigh with some sort of relief and I see her happiness. Did she know too? Is it obvious? How did I not know? Am I even pregnant?
My phone buzzes again.

...

"There is one thing I need to do."
River tells me as we swing on one of his garden chairs.
"What's that?"
I turn to face him completely and he stops the chair, doing the same.
"Ask him why. Why he had to take her from me."

A silent moment passes us by as we both think on what to say next. It was a fine morning, the sun in its prime so early in the day and Sandra called me excitedly over as River wanted to spend time with me.
There are grey specks in his eyes that catch my attention every so often. In times like these where we just stare at each other. He doesn't make me uncomfortable with those looks anymore as I find myself able to stare back when he does. He's realised that as now he's the one that has to turn away.
"I could never forgive him. Never forget. But I need to know what it was that made him hate us so much. So much so that he'd rather see her gone forever. Than be with me. Be happy."
"Isn't that wrong?" He asks me, raw grief suddenly in his expression. He could never hide his pain. He wore his heart on his sleeve, like me.
"In every sense, River."

Suddenly we hear murmurs and whispers from inside the house and we both look towards it. Sandra is fussing over someone and very adamant on not letting them through. I couldn't see who so I return to the conversation, only to find River closer than before.
"If I could kiss you now I would."

His arm has found its way behind me and I feel his body is almost shielding me from the world.
I feel a flutter in my stomach and remember something very important about who's possibly inside. I remember Rolf.
"But you can't." I whisper back, standing up. He sighs and looks away, and I understand I should take my leave.

...

I couldn't blame all these feelings on my very possible pregnancy. Speaking of which, I still needed to confirm it.
"Woah there!"
I've bumped into Angie and she laughs, steadying me by the shoulders.
"Where's your head at these days? I feel like we've lost you a little."
"Just a lot going on."
We walk together to the kitchen bar. Angie looks at me both concerned and suspicious.
"You know you can tell me anything."
Then she makes a face.
"Well not anything. But you get my drift."
I giggle with her, my hand as a reaction holding my stomach. She then immediately stops laughing and covers her mouth.
"You're not-
"I think I am."
Angie gasps shockingly loud just as Rolf walks past.
"There you are." He makes a direct beeline towards me, whilst giving Angie a weird expression because she's still got that shocked face going on.
Rolf sits down next to me and kisses the side of my head. He whispers into my ear:
"Can we talk later?" His voice sounds serious and I look into his eyes. He is serious, I feel a little worried. But the way he's stroking my hand reassures me so I don't feel scared.
"Of course."
"Alright, I'll see you girls and Angie I'm gonna need you later."
"Er ok?"
We share a look whilst he wanders off.
"Not sure what he wants but he looked serious."
I watch his back eventually disappear past the hallway.
"He did indeed."

...

"Oh no this! This is the worst part, change it please!"
My stomach actually begins to hurt as I couldn't control my laughter. Angie was furiously blushing behind her hands, unable to watch the vintage Ango video tapes playing on the big screen. Raven rolls her eyes and increases the volume of little Angie singing a sorrowful rendition of 'My Heart will Go On" to her crush whose just admitted he doesn't like her. And of course Raven is behind the camera, watching as Rolf films the entire fiasco.

"This is gold, Ang. Don't ever let me forget." Rolf clutches a pillow to his stomach and I can see his eyes glistening. He's trying not to laugh out loud because he doesn't want to upset his little sister but I can see just how hard it is for him not to.
"You didn't have to film it, Rolf." She cuddles into Elizabeth's side, who attempts to calm her down like a child having a meltdown (all the while trying to keep a smile off of her face).

"Ah, alright I think it's time for us to get to bed."
Rolf looks at me, brushing away some hair from my eye.
"Already? But-
Once I see that serious pleading look again I stop my words. I remember that he wanted to talk to me.
"Okay, see you guys tomorrow."
I take his hand and lead him upstairs, feeling everyone's eyes on us.