Forever and a Day (42 page)

Xander cringed a little, “Oh, well no, that’s not it. Now that I can… just trying to be proper and all?”

“No need. Please?”

“Uh, ok. I’ll have to rearrange stuff…”

“Thank you!” She said in happy whisper.

“Do you think you can eat something soon? You know you really need to.”

“Soon. So tired.”

“You got it. I’ll wake you when it is time for dinner.” Xander chuckled then added, “My lady.”

“I thank you… kind sir.” She mumbled.

With that, Xander watched her tired blue eyes close and soon she was sleeping. Her breathing sounded better he decided and watched her sleep for a while.

Xander prepared Halo’s dinner and set the tray down on his suitcase then did his best to brush off the soft white sand before coming into the tent. Sitting down next to her, he gently shook her shoulder, “Halo! Dinner time, Halo!” Her eyes opened slowly and she smiled up at him.

“Smells good… oatmeal?” She asked and began to yawn, which quickly turned into painful coughing fit. Xander had her in his arms again as the racking coughs echoed out into the dusky night. He held her up throughout her coughing attack and when it finally subsided, he propped her up against one of the suitcases.

“To answer your question, yes it is oatmeal with some goodies in there. So! Do you want the choo choo or the helicopter?” He joked as he positioned the tray of food on his lap.

“Really?” She whispered.

He readied a spoonful of oatmeal with mixed fruit, made a quick helicopter noise then held the spoon to her lips. He quickly opened his own mouth wide at her and her lips parted and he quickly slid the spoonful of oatmeal into her mouth.

Halo took in the bite of oatmeal, it tasted delicious to her as she realized her tummy felt like it was starving, “I can’t believe… you just did that!” She whispered.

He held up another spoonful to her mouth and as she opened, he made a train sound as he fed her.

“Oh wow… Mrs. Doubtfire…” She replied with a smirk.

Xander laughed as he got up another spoonful into her mouth then spoke out loudly in a high pitched British accent, “Oooh! Halo is eating up her food up like a good little girl! Oh my!”

Halo about choked on her bite as she heard him mimic, Mrs. Doubtfire, “Not bad.” She smiled.

“I have a daughter who loved that movie.” He replied with a smile.

“Oh?” Halo replied, trying hard to suppress her surprise, “What… her name?” She asked as he held up another spoonful for her.

“Athena.” He replied wistfully.

She looked into his eyes and recognized the look of loss. It was her fault he was here she decided, “Beautiful name.”

“Thanks.” He replied and for the rest of the meal he kept quiet. 

As he was wiping her mouth, Halo whispered sadly, “I’m sorry… I got you into this.”

“Halo, it’s not your fault… let’s not talk about that, ok?” He asked softly.

“Oh… ok.”

Xander watched her try to smile up at him and his heart did a double step in his chest, “Uh… don’t mind me Halo. I just really miss her and am worried about her.”

Halo watched his green eyes turn glassy. She wondered if he was talking about his wife or daughter, as he really did not specify, “How old is she?” She ventured in a whisper.

“Athena? Uh, almost seventeen going on thirty.” He replied with a smirk.

“Oh!” She responded with a quiet giggle, “Does she take after her mom?” Halo probed.

Xander chuckled, “Well… I can tell you who she looks likes. She hates the reference, but it is what it is… a young Angelina Jolie.” Xander said proudly with a smile, “I have to admit, as her dad, I am a bit biased though.”

Oh hell, his wife must be gorgeous… well unless she took after him. “Picture?” She saw him pause for a long moment. Then he reached into his bag and pulled out his phone. Turning it on, he scrolled along and held out the phone where she could see.

“Homecoming dance.”

“Oh my God! She does… she is so beautiful!” Halo exclaimed in a hoarse whisper. She did not expect how attractive she really would be.

“Thank you, Halo. That is very kind of you to say. She is a huge fan of yours…” He turned the phone and gazed at his daughter’s picture for a moment before putting it away, “If you see me get quiet, I’m probably worrying. I remember what it is like to lose a parent. So, please don’t think I’m upset. I get crap sometimes for doing that.” He shrugged at her.

Halo gave him a little smile, “I understand. I can get that way too.” She wanted to ask about his wife but she was getting very tired and that conversation would best be held later.

“Ready for some rest? Uh, do you need another visit to the loo?” Xander asked.

“I’m good. Coming back to me soon?”

Xander paused for a moment, “Uh, soon… I need to check around first. I didn’t find any animal tracks, but I did see a goat on the other island. No signs of people all day or when we sailed around here.”

She watched her Mystery man’s face for any sign of unease; not seeing any she asked, “A goat?”

“Yeah… on the other island. It’s white, it’s a good sign.” He smiled.

“Because the goat is white?” She whispered.

Xander let out a chuckle, “No, no! If a goat can live here, it means these islands get enough water from rain. That is what I will be doing tomorrow; setting up water collectors, that and looking at the Sat phone.”

“So there is another island…” She whispered.

“Actually there are quite a few small ones too, they make a barrier of sorts and form a lagoon of sorts…”

She interrupted him, “Please don’t tell me it’s blue…” She gave him an arched eyebrow.

Xander cocked his head at her, “Uh, no it isn’t blue. It’s more a light greenish color I guess.” He replied with his head tilted at her.

Halo gave a little smile, “The film?” She whispered expectantly.

“Uh, ‘The Island’?” He saw her shake her head at him, ‘Gilligan’s Island’? He ventured and got another little head shake, ‘Lord of the Flies’?”

“Nope. Last one, good… no cookie. ‘The Blue Lagoon’… Brooke Shields?”

Xander face lit up, “Ah, yes… didn’t see it though.”

“No way… so you know what it’s about? Right?” She asked in a hoarse whisper.

“No, not really. I know the title and it seems that women like it?” He asked.

She smiled, “Yeah, something like that.” Halo weakly brought her hand to her mouth and suppressed a yawn, “So weak…” She mumbled.

“Ok! Get some rest, I’ll be in soon.” Xander replied as he crouched his way out of the tent, taking the tray with him.

He set about cleaning up. When he was done with his chore, he peeked in at Halo who looked at him with a little nod, “I’ll be right back.” He began a westward jaunt across the sand in the fading dusky light. As he passed the loo, he could see across Halo’s ‘blue lagoon’ and saw no hint of people. Satisfied no boats were coming across, he made a perimeter sweep around the camp. When he was done, he ended up back at the tent.

Peeking in he saw her eyes were closed and she looked peaceful. He tossed some more wood on the fire then headed into the tent. He sat on the edge of the blanket, took off his deck shoes, and brushed as much sand off himself before going all the way in. Once inside he removed the gun from behind his back and set it within easy reach. He laid down as silently as he could and found himself face to face with her, her eyes open and watching him.

“I waited.” She whispered sleepily.

“Oh!” He with raised eyebrows, “Uh, how are you feeling?”

“Still hurt. My back is another story…” She groaned.

“I saw you had some ibuprofen?” He offered.

She sighed, “Save it…” What she really wanted was another massage. The rubdown he gave her earlier felt fantastic, but she was too tired and embarrassed to ask.

“Are you sure?” He asked watching her eyes as the reflection of the fire glinted off them.

“I’m sure.” She paused for a few seconds and looking into his eyes she dared the next question, “Um, kinda cold… mind if I slept close? I would feel safer…“

Xander’s heart bounced around, “Uh, well… sure. I guess we kinda did already anyway, right?”

“Yes, thank you… and all you are doing.” She smiled weakly.

“Uh sure. How…” He sighed, “Here.” He snaked his arm under her head and brought her close, she snuggled in under his chin and rested her hand on his chest then she sighed quietly. A memory surfaced and hit his conscious like a blow from a hammer and a gasp exited his lips.

“You ok?” He heard her ask, “You got tense, want me… to move?”

“Uh no… just a bit of déjà vu…” He chuckled.

“Really! Tell me?” She whispered with excitement and turned up to look at him with her eyes open wide.

“Halo, it’s nothing. I’d rather not, uh right now.” He muttered remembering his dream of her.

“Well maybe it’s a good omen.” She offered.

“Maybe...”

“Ok, Mr. Mystery man… sweet dreams.” Of me, she thought with a smile.

“Oh, good night Halo. Sleep well.” His butterflies began their incessant flying about in his belly at the nearness of her. The day’s ordeal finally caught up with him and he was soon fast asleep.

Xander groggily opened his eyes and saw a beautiful blue sky above the sparkling surf in the distance. Birds were in the palm trees overhead chirping happily away. He looked down at Halo’s mess of blonde hair spread out on his chest and smiled. Her leg had found its way over his and her arm was around him. He could feel her breathing, short of miraculous it seemed improved from last night. Although he still could faintly hear and feel, the rasping in her chest at every breath she took. Using his hand, he gently brushed her stray hair into place and his thoughts went to Evie…