Moments That Change Lives

“Now that’s more like it!” She said putting two into her mouth. Oh, how nice it was to feel that soft, yet crunchy dough on her tongue.

“If you don’t mind I’m very hungry now for some real food! Try the chicken wings. Alicia makes them perfect.” Henry casually put the plates with the muffins aside, bringing new ones before them with fries and wings on them.

He seemed so natural and joyful that night. Completely opposite of the Henry Masters from the cave a few nights back. He had some energy floating around him, some strange spontaneity in his moves that made Mira forget about all the bad things that had happened to her. She could be herself and let go of everything bothering her. For the first time that night, the house didn’t seem so distant and unknown.

One by one the chicken wings ended up down their throats followed by a delicious cake for dessert. There were so many things on the table that Mira wanted to taste but she was so full that she thought she would blow up. In the end she gave up, satisfying herself with the remaining blueberry juice.

“Do you want anything else? Is the baby craving something specifically?” Henry spoke but she covered his lips with her finger.

“No, Henry. You’re so sweet. I just want to enjoy this night!” She waved her hands happily in the air obviously a little bit affected by the whole atmosphere and the food and everything. “Where’s the music? Bad boy, Henry! You forgot to turn on the music!”

“Mira, you’re crazy!” Henry joked, laughing. “But you’re right about the music.”

He went to the living room with her right behind him. The player was on in minutes and a wonderful ballad engulfed Mira. She ran to Henry and pulled him into a dance, both laughing.

“No! Mira… I don’t know how to dance!” Henry clumsily placed a hand on her back and swayed with her in the center of the room. What was she doing? Just like that she erased all the anger and broke the boundaries that kept her at a fair distance from the man that messed up her life. Somehow that night, it seemed like the right thing to do, so Mira embraced that feeling. Dancing through what looked like the whole CD, Mira didn’t notice how time had flown by until Henry gently helped her to the sofa. She sat there in a trance, her head spinning and her lips unable to stop smiling. She truly didn’t know what was happening to her. She was drunk with happiness.

The crackling of the fire lulled her in and she let her mind wander while her eyes were focused on the red flames. The living room span into the rainforest, the last notes of the music transformed into the sound of rustling leaves and Mira surrendered to the sleep.

A rather calm and peaceful sleep. After a long time she didn’t dream of beasts or her mother or hospitals and police stations. She dreamt of quiet blackness that she couldn’t even remember afterwards. There was something really magical about that house that gave her the long needed rest from everything. And if it hadn’t been for the soft smell of pastries and the rays fondling her face, who knew how long she would have remained in her sleep.

Freshness filled the room and Mira’s eyes shot open only to close back again. Everything suddenly was coming to her mind. The previous night. Music. Chicken wings. Henry Masters. It all flushed over her reminding her finally where she was. Not the rainforest for sure. The rainforest didn’t smell like lavender. But it wasn’t the living room where she had fallen asleep the previous night either. Where was she?

She stretched, slowly rising to sit in the bed. White sheets and huge pillows surrounded her while shadows played on the cream walls as the sun entered the room from the tall windows covered with white curtains. A wooden wardrobe was placed against the wall with a wonderful counter next to it and a mirror with a silver frame above it. All in all it was a magnificent bedroom. Unlike any other Mira had slept in. But wait. How did she end up there?

A white sheet of paper and a plate with slices of orange and lemon caught her attention. They were lying on the bedside table so she reached for the paper.

“Good morning!

I know you need vitamins now more than ever so eat the fruit, will you? I hope you’re well!

Henry

P.S. Welcome to the Masters mansion!”

Oh my God what had she done? She had stayed over at Henry’s place. Now he must think that she had decided to live there with him. Ugh…

Rubbing her temples she left the room after taking a bite of the orange and found herself in a wide hallway with doors on all sides. It was amazing how many rooms there were in that mansion and so little people living in it. She guessed Henry had guests quite often otherwise the rooms would stay vacant for a long time.

“Good morning, madam.” Her ears picked up a feminine voice from the room next to the one she had been in a few moments ago. It was the maid. Alicia.

“Good morning, Alicia. Working this early?” Mira casually replied approaching the woman. Her hands were full of some old wooden stuff and some clothes.

“It’s actually noon, madam. And Mr. Masters ordered me to clean this room a few days back. For his baby. Did you know he’s going to have a baby? He said we’ll paint it all blue and stuff it with the newest toys. Actually he sent the guard Mr. Michaels out even now. He told him to find the best painters and wood carvers. He’s such a good man, madam. He’ll be a great father,” Alicia said making tears well up in Mira’s eyes. But she didn’t let them out.

So Henry was getting a whole room ready for their child. She never guessed that it meant so much to have an accidental baby with a woman he hadn’t even known a week ago. She guessed that there was truly more to people than what was on the surface. As much as she didn’t like to admit it, Henry Masters was truly a devoted and kind man who did only what was best for the baby. How did she not see that before? And to think that she selfishly insisted to put the child in danger by going to cheap hotels around the city just because of her ridiculous pride and stubbornness. It truly wasn’t worth it. Not now when Henry cared for the baby so much. And… For herself. After all, he had left her fruit. That must mean something.

“I’m staying!” Mira exclaimed for a moment forgetting that Alicia was standing before her instead of Henry. “I’ll live here!”