Chapter 1- Lorraine

Somewhere in Texas

Clyde's POV

A gunshot rang out. I stopped the car. Bonnie had stirred in my lap at the noise, and I was afraid she was having another one of her nightmares. I stroked her short red locks gently, ready to hold her if needed. Those bright blue eyes of hers slowly opened, and she smiled up at me.

"Why'd you stop baby?" I helped her sit up beside me.

"Did you hear the shot?"

"Yeah, baby, I did…" She stretched, and I couldn't resist the urge to poke her flat stomach. She giggled, "Hey.. Stop that.." I pulled her close to me, kissing her forehead gently. "We gonna go check it out?"
"Yeah Bon.. Let's go check it out." I started the car with her still in my arms. We drove towards the direction of the noise, and eventually pulled up at a house. My Bonnie paled.

"Oh my god.." She whispered.
"Babe, what is it?" She shook her head as I stopped the car. Before I could take her hand she leaped out of her seat, the most horrified expression on her face. She ran into the house, and, after a moments silence, screamed, the most horrible, almost heartbroken scream. My stomach lurched at her scream, and I ran as fast as I could after her. "Bonnie!" I yelled. Silence. No… Not my Bonnie… Not my baby.. I raced through the open door. She was standing, but slowly sinking to her knees directly in front of the dead body in front of her. She knew the blonde woman on the floor, a gunshot wound to her head.

"Lorraine…" I heard her whisper brokenly. That was too much, if she started crying, I wouldn't be able to handle that. I quickly went to her side, wrapping one of my arms around her.

"Who is she, sugar?" I asked gently. Her chin quivered, a tear slipping down her pale cheek. She looked up at me.

"Her name was Lorraine, she was my best friend.." She said, beginning to cry. I pulled her onto my lap and held her tight, trying to tune out her sobs. Sobs that broke my heart each time they wracked her body.

"Shh.. Shh, baby.. Please…" I would do anything to see her smile… Anything in the world.

"She has a little girl, Clyde…" She said softly, bringing her head out of my chest, "Her name's Emma.. Lorraine named her after my momma… She was my best friend in West Dallas, before I met you of course.." That brought a smile to my face. I lifted her chin gently, wiping her tears with my thumb.

"After your momma, sugar?" She nodded, then gasped, a bright smile lighting up her face as an idea popped into that pretty little head. Now, remember when I said I'd do anything to see her smile?

"Clyde, can Emma stay with us?" Anything, except that. I shook my head,

"No. No, Bonnie. She can't stay with us." The smile faded from her face… Well shit.

"Baby, please? She's twelve years old, it ain't like she's a baby… She won't cause trouble Clyde.." She stuck out her lower lip, batting those baby blues. Oh no… Not the puppy-dog eyes.. Don't make eye contact Barrow. "Baby… Please.." I sighed, defeated.

"Alright, Bonnie.." She threw her arms around my neck and I couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you.." She whispered into my ear. "Her daddy died before she was even born… Momma and I helped raise her." I kissed her cheek softly, not really paying attention to what she was saying.

"How much older then you was Lorraine?"

"She was… 21 when I married Roy, so… 6 years." I nodded.

"So Emma knows you?"

"She used to call me Aunt Bonnie…" She said with that smile that made my innards melt. I leaned forward until our lips touched. "I love you, baby.."

"I love you more, Bonnie.." She giggled,

"Never.." I chuckled, leaning in to kiss her again.

"Always."