Page 47 of Cowboy
When I return with three mugs of steaming hot chocolate, topped with a generous heap of marshmallows, Caoimhe and Saoirse are curled up together on the couch. I hand them their mugs, careful not to spill.
"Thank you," Caoimhe says, giving me a small smile.
We sit in comfortable silence, sipping our hot chocolate. After a while, I notice Saoirse's eyes starting to droop.
"I think it's time for bed," Caoimhe says gently, setting aside her mug.
I nod, standing up. "I'll be down here if you need anything."
As Caoimhe leads Saoirse upstairs, I start tidying up the living room, my mind racing. The protective instinct I feel toward both of them is overwhelming. I know the road ahead won't be easy, but I'm determined to help them heal and to keep them safe.
I'm just finishing up when I hear a soft footstep behind me. Turning, I see Caoimhe standing at the bottom of the stairs, her arms wrapped around herself.
"Saoirse is asleep," she says quietly. "I... I couldn't sleep. My mind won't shut off."
I nod, understanding. "Want to talk about it?"
She hesitates for a moment, then nods. "Yeah, I think I do."
We settle on the couch, Caoimhe curling her legs under her. She's silent for a long moment, and I don't push her. Finally, she speaks, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It was hell, Ciarán. Every day, every moment... I thought I was going to die. But I couldn't. Saoirse needed me." She trails off, her eyes filling with tears.
I reach out, gently taking her hand. "You protected her. You kept her safe."
Caoimhe nods, wiping at her eyes. "I had to. She's just a child. I was scared they'd hurt her like they hurt me."
My heart clenches at her words, at the pain in her voice. "You're incredibly strong, Caoimhe. What you've been through, what you've done for Saoirse... it's amazing."
She looks at me, her eyes searching my face. "I don't feel strong. I feel... broken. Damaged."
I squeeze her hand gently. "You're not broken, Caoimhe. You're a survivor. And I promise you, we're going to get through this. Together."
Caoimhe leans into me then, her body shaking with silent sobs. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close, offering what comfort I can. As she cries, I make a silent vow. I will do whatever it takes to help her heal, to make her feel safe again. And I will make sure that the bastards who did this to her and Saoirse pay for what they've done.
As Caoimhe's sobs subside, I continue to hold her, gently stroking her hair. The weight of everything she's been through settles heavily on my shoulders. I want nothing more than to take away her pain, to erase the horrors she's endured. But I know it's not that simple.
"Caoimhe," I say softly, pulling back slightly to look at her. "I want you to know that you're not alone anymore. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."
She looks up at me, her eyes red-rimmed but filled with a glimmer of hope. "I... I don't know if I can ever be the person I was before, Ciarán. So much has changed. I've changed."
I nod, understanding. "You don't have to be who you were before. You just need to be you, whoever that is now. And I'll be here, no matter what."
Caoimhe takes a shaky breath then leans her head against my chest again. "I'm so tired, Ciarán. So tired of being afraid, of looking over my shoulder."
"I know," I murmur, tightening my arms around her. "But you're safe now. I promise you, I won't let anyone hurt you or Saoirse ever again."
We sit in silence for a while, the only sound our quiet breathing. I can feel Caoimhe gradually relaxing against me, the tension slowly leaving her body.
"Ciarán?" she whispers after a while.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For everything. For not giving up on me."
I press a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "I could never give up on you, Caoimhe. Never."
As the night wears on, I feel Caoimhe's breathing even out as she falls asleep in my arms. I don't have the heart to move her, so I settle back on the couch, making sure she's comfortable.
