My Name is NOT Cupcake

Chapter 19

His long arms wrapped around my thin frame completely as he buried his head in the crook of my neck.

His breath tickled my throat and neck, sending excited tingles through my body and making me feel

warm and protected. I felt hyper-aware of every inch of him that was touching me. His hair tickled my

cheek and his broad hands held me firmly. After a long quiet moment, I pulled away, much to his

dismay, and smiled at him softly. He reluctantly took a step back and cleared his throat.

"So what's the plan of the day for tomorrow?" I asked, remembering what he said to the girls.

"I figured we could go on a picnic and then go for a swim at this lake in a wooded area of town," he

explained.

"We?" I asked curiously. He shrugged.

"Alana, Anya, you, and me," he elaborated. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"I didn't think you would want to go. You were so uncomfortable around the orphanage and around the

girls," I noted. He shrugged, his face looking more tired and defeated.

"That's because I know how each of their parents died. I had to confirm their deaths and place the kids

in a new home. Some of them had family members willing to take them in... but those kids are all alone.

And I hate that there is nothing I can do about it except hope someone will adopt them. But I hate that I

can't give them a family. No body wants them... and no one should have to grow up with that thought,"

he explained. "I feel like I failed them."

"Well, poor Yana. She's taking care of all those kids by herself," I noted. "How did she end up being the

only one?" I asked.

"She's windowed. Her husband died and she miscarried. She was about to give up on her life when

she found out that no one was looking after these kids well. She threw herself into caring for them, and

treats them like they're her own kids. She shows them love, but I know that it won't be enough for those

kids," he explained.

"That's really sad," I said, more to myself than to him.

"You can help her all you want now that you're here. I'm sure the kids would love that," he said. I sighed

and moved back towards the door.

"I promised to say goodnight to the girls... but thank you," I smiled at him. I went back to the girls' room

to find them dressed and waiting. I smiled and pulled the covers over each of them, tucking them in and

kissing them goodnight. I turned off the lights and soft snoring soon followed. I mentally smiled at how

tired they were.. As far as I knew, this was probably the most exciting day of their life. I closed the door

softly behind me to find Elias waiting on the other side.

"They're asleep," I said quietly as I moved away from the door and into my room. Once I sat on the

bed, I noticed how truly worried Elias looked. I stood again and placed a gentle hand on his arm. I tried

to ignore the butterflies running amuck in my stomach. The feeling I had when he touched me seemed

to be getting stronger with time.

"What's wrong?" I asked, worried myself. He took my hand and led me back to his room. I was starting

to get nervous. We went inside, closing the door behind us, and he sat me down on the couch before

he began pacing in front of me. "Elias," I said quietly, trying to bring his attention back to me. He looked

at me and sighed.