Stargazing
He stared out, looking up at the stars. He found it very peaceful up here on the roof of the farm house. He smiled, "You aren't supposed to be out here."
A faint giggle came out o the shadows on the roof, "Neither are you."
"What Father doesn't know, he can't freak out about."
"Exactly," the little girl said, as she slowly curled up next to him.
Keric sighed, "Aly!"
"I am not going to fall any more than you are," the little girl pouted.
Keric kissed her on the forehead, "Silly little cat bird."
Aly sniffed softly.
Keric looked at her startled, "Hey, what's this?" He gently wiped a tear from her cheek. He sat up quickly making her squeak in surprise.
Aly looked away, trying to hide in the shadows.
"Aly?" He whispered softly.
"Why do you have to go?"
"Oh Aly," he pulled her into a hug. "Because I am a Merc and I go where my company goes. You know that we've discussed this before."
"What if you don't come back?"
Keric buried the slight moment o fear he felt at that simple statement. He buried it deeply so that Aly wouldn't pick it up through the bond. It has taken him years to be able to hide things from their bond. He wasn't always successful at it, but he tried real hard this time. "No one and nothing can keep us apart Aly. You know that."
She sniffed again.
He gently brushed the fresh tears away from her cheek. "I love you Alysanna," he whispered. "I've loved you since the day you were born."
Aly giggled faintly.
Keric smiled as he slipped a ring on her finger. "This is my pledge, Aly. We will always be together, my word on it."
Aly hugged him.