─ A strong scent of cypress and musk invaded your nostrils. You, with your head down, were too busy leafing through a fashion magazine while two strong hands caressed your long hair that wrapped around your back with such delicacy that you only had to lift your neck for a few moments towards the bedroom window that led to the farm garden. Your eyes became like precious pearls in front of the burning sun. Your facial features became paler and your cheeks red from the heat that filtered through the walls. You released a sigh from your full lips that seemed to be sugar cushions when Ellie's hands - and the woman you had always considered as a missing mother figure after the death of your mother, whose relationship was one of care for each other - slid along the nape of your neck in graceful movements, hiding a satisfied smile. Her eyes rested attentively on the back of your head, caressing your neck, your delicate shoulders. She did it with her fingertips, tapping on the critical areas to stimulate deep relaxation. Her lips came close enough to press a kiss to the lower part of your neck, near the juncture of your shoulders. She remained still there, her soft lips caressing your diaphanous skin for a few moments. Her cheek grazed your flesh almost to silence you, to seduce you. And you purred like a kitten. Your fingers slipped from the magazine, which almost didn't fall to the floor at the eldest's feet, as you closed your eyes in total ecstasy.

Ellie was the woman who would draw you a hot bath right after she got home from work. She would make you a succulent dinner or comb your hair like you were a doll. Then, she would sit you on her lap to comfort you when something was wrong. She would rock you in her arms when there were storms that adorned the tranquility of the farm. And she would arrange your stockings on your thighs to help you dress. And in return, you gave her your presence. You gave her every smile, every tear. Ellie was a difficult woman. Always stoic, attentive to her surroundings and stern. After patrols, she would come home with a vacant look, while she took off her jacket to hang it on the hanger. You even recognized her footsteps. When you were upstairs resting, you recognized the way her heavy boots creaked on the wooden floor as she came to the living room and sat around the table brandished with delicacies. You knew her worry, but also her sweetest side. The one she didn't show to anyone. And then she had lunch alone because she came home at indecent hours and when she went up the stairs, you barely looked up at the half-closed door that led to the hallway. Then she would sneak into your bed, remaining in her brown shirt and jeans tight around her waist, only taking off her shoes to be able to immerse herself in the covers and your scent. And then her nose would end up in the middle of your hair and she would smell the sweet scent. Her nose would crawl on your cheek to leave a kiss on it and immediately after, her lips would bite your neck in a desperate attempt to release the stress of those days.

When you opened your eyes again, you noticed how Ellie had grabbed some pink bows located next to your hips. She had nimbly opened the clips underneath and placed them on your hair, taking a few steps back with her head just to observe the final result from afar. Her voice was warm and relaxed as she spoke to you carefully.

«How was school?» She asked, wrapping her strong arms around your small waist, while involuntarily, your fingers rested on hers, tracing the contours of the veins there. With a thoughtful expression, you let out a sigh at that sudden contact, turning your head slightly towards her so she could hear you. Then you whispered a sweet:

«I would have preferred to stay home with you more time.»

You whispered softly, your voice shy. Your eyes met hers, moving lower to the peculiarity of her freckles and the shape of her lips, which seemed to open like rosebuds as she spoke to you sweetly. As if you were looking for protection. As if she didn't want to scare you and hold you.