Chapter 117 A Mother’s Promise

“I suppose I am.”

She moved herself over to the bed and sat down next to him.

And then, out of nowhere, she suddenly drew him to her with an arm.

He buried his face into the soft warmth of her breasts.

From the pleasant aroma of her body, he knew who she was — jasmine and something else, something that was uniquely hers.

Victor froze for a second, startled by the unexpected hug.

But then he relaxed.

He was accustomed to his mother’s grip.

It wasn’t that he hated it-.

He actually begun to anticipate those moments of thermal relief and comfort.

He returned her hug, his arms going around her waist.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The silence wasn’t deafening, only broken by their breaths and the insects singing outside the window.

Then she leaned in and pushed a tress of hair away from Victor’s face.

She leaned down and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead.

“I know you’ve been thinking about the war a lot lately.” Her voice cracked.

Her voice barely above a whisper.

Victor nodded against her chest.

“I just can’t stand it. That innocent people could get hurt… that really bothers me.”

Anna’s expression softened.

Her red eyes glistening with emotion.

You’re a decent sort, Victor. You’ve always been.

Victor looked up at her.

“Mother… Can I ask you something else?”

“Of course. Anything.”

Victor hesitated.

His golden eyes searching hers.

“If… if I had the power to help, and if something… and if… if it were to happen, would I not… shouldn’t I?”

Anna’s eyes widened slightly.

He looked at her for a long while.

Her fingers still stroking his hair.

“Victor, what are you really asking?”

Victor looked down at his hands.

“I don’t know. I… I just… I don’t want to be the person who just sits back and watches while other people suffer. But I don’t want to risk my family’s lives for that either.”

Anna was silent for a moment.

She then tilted his chin and made him face her.

Victor, I need you to trust me. You and your family-our family-have lost more than enough. I won’t let us lose any more.

But I also remember that you’re a guy that would lay down his life for a good cause.

Which is something else I love about you.

She paused.

Her thumb tracing his cheekbone.

“In case you reach a point that you think you must act, I will not prevent you. But I want you to take an oath for me.”

“What is it?”

“Promise me you’ll be careful. Promise me you won’t throw your life away for strangers. Promise me you’ll always come home.”

Victor directed his attention to his mother -her red eyes with love and fear and hope.

He lifted his hand and covered her hand.

“I promise, Mother,” he said softly.

“I’ll always come home.”

Anna smiled.

Tears glistening in her eyes.

She leaned forward and kissed his forehead.

Her lips warm and tease as they press softly upon his skin.

“That’s all I ask, my son.”

She stood up and looked at him.

A gentle smile on her lips.

“Victor,” she whispered, “I am so proud of you… You are one of the few who cares about the innocent in this cruel world where there is no worth for your life.” “Son… No matter what… No matter when… remember… no matter what happens… if someone does you wrong or everyone leaves your side… I am your mother… and I will never leave you.”

She caressed his hair.

Her fingers lingering on his cheek.

Victor smiled.

“Thank you, Mother. I’ll remember.”

Anna nodded.

“Well, son, good night. I also have to go carve the pills for you.”…

She leaned down and gave him another kiss on the forehead.

Then turned to leave.

However, just as she was about to open the door, Victor, having followed her out of concern, stepped forward and seized her hand.

Anna froze.

Her heart suddenly pounding in her chest.

With a quick breath, she gathered herself and turned around.

“What happened, son?”

Victor looked at her.

His golden eyes soft and pleading.

Mother will you sleep here with me tonight?… while hugging me…

Anna’s breath caught in her throat.

She stared at him, her mind racing.

It was the first time in her son’d life that he told her to stay with him – not the other way around.

Most times, she was the one who would make herself cling to him, make herself sleep beside him.

But now…

She smiled.

A warmth spreading through her chest.

She returned to her bed and sat down at his side.

“Fine, son. I’ll go sleep with you. Honestly, I’ve been exhausted from refining pills these past few days. And I need my vitamins, too.”

Victor blinked, confused.

“Vitamins?”

Anna’s smile widened.

She extended her hand and pinched his cheek.

“My vitamin is Victor.”

Despite Victor blushing, he let out a laugh.

“Mom, you’ve become creative.”

Anna smiled.

Her heart swelling with love.

She wanted her son to be happy.

She wanted him to smile.

And tonight, for the first time, he’d made the first move and asked her to stay.

How could she refuse?

She could tell that he was eighteen now, a grown up man.

But to her, he’ll always be her little boy.

Perhaps she was a mistress, or perhaps she was a mother who loved her son a little too well.

Whatever the case, she didn’t care.

He was her son.

Her blood.

What is wrong? Victor asked, noticing her faraway look.

“Mother, where are you lost in thought?”

Anna looked at him and smiled.

“Nothing, son. Let’s sleep.”

Victor nodded and smiled, and reclined in his bed.

Anna closed the door and turned off the spirit lamps with her spiritual gift.

Plunging the room into soft darkness.

Then she climbed into bed beside him.

She pulled him into her embrace.

Her arms wrapping around him protectively.

His head rested between her deep cleavage.

Victor embraced her as well and nestled his face into her warm breasts.

She caressed his hair.

Her fingers moving through the silken strands.

“Good night, my dear,” she whispered.

“Good night, Mother,” Victor replied.

His voice muffled against her.

But this time, it wasn’t quite the same.

I’ll get stronger, he thought.

I’ll protect my family.

And if the time comes, I’ll protect others as well.

But first… I need to sleep.

He shut his eyes and drew Anna nearer.

Inhaling her familiar scent.

Anna returned her smile and drew him into her arms again.

Both sleeping as if to hold one another forever.

For the first time in weeks, both slept peacefully in each other’s warm hug.

And Anna, the boy cuddled in her arms, smiled in the darkness.

Whatever the future brought they would face it together.

She closed her eyes.

Meanwhile, mother and son drifted off into sleep again.