Learing About Skyler

When I woke up, Skyler was still asleep on our pallet on the floor. I smiled to myself and began playing in her hair. I heard a clang in the kitchen and felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I slowly got up out of our bed and made my way into the kitchen. I was welcomed by the sight of Skyler's Aunt Jane making breakfast with her protruding belly. She looked up at me and gave me a warm smile.

"Well good mornin' sunshine!" she looked back down at her pots and pans smiling. "Did I wake you?" she asked in her thick accent.

"Yes, ma'am," I walked closer. "Do you need any help?"

"Well, aren't you mighty kind? But no, dear, I've just about got it." She looked up at me as she was opening the fridge. "Tell me somethin', how long have you been with my neice?"

"About a year."

She nodded as she pulled out a carton of eggs. "That girl in there has been through a lot and I'm happy you found her when you did."

"I didn't exactly find her ma'am. She found me," I grinned as I looked at my socks.

She smiled. "Of course."

"Can I ask you a question?" I sat down on the stool next to her.

"Of course, honey!"

"Where are Skyler's parents? I've asked her but she's never told me anything."

She sighed as she began cooking. "About a year and a half ago, they passed away in a tragic car accident. Her father, my husband's brother, owed something to this group of men and they were murdered. They had left Skyler home. She was supposed to stay with us, but as you can see that didn't happen."

"Why not?"

"She just never made it to us. She was about to leave to come to us but those bad men found her. We didn't hear from her for six months. When we finally did, she was safe with you," she smiled at me.

I heard soft footsteps approach the room and I turned around to see a sleepy Skyler rubbing her eyes. "What's wrong, babe?" I asked her in a loving tone.

"I woke up and you weren't there. I got worried so I came to find you," she yawned.

I grinned and walked over to her and brushed her hair away from her face. "I'm right here." I picked her up into my arms and turned to her aunt. "Thank you, Mrs. Jane."

She turned to us. "Call me Auntie and why, dear?"

"For being there for her and loving her. Your child will be greatly loved and adored by many," I walked away with Skyler.

I laid down in our bed with her in my arms. "I love you, Dimitri," she murmured in her sleep.

I chuckled to myself and hugged her closer to myself.