*Knock**Knock*

I heard a knock on my door at 12:13 AM. I turned down my TV's volume to make sure I heard it right. I heard it again, this time slightly louder.

I woke up and stumbled towards my door keeping my half drank bottle of wine on my table. As I walked over, I yelled out.

"Who is it?!"

No response. I grumbled to myself, turned on my porch light, looked into the peephole and was stunned. It was Leah standing in my pouch buck naked, she looked just as healthy and full of life as she had ever been. My brain could not process how it was possible, I was about to swing the door open but I held myself back.

Something was wrong, this couldn't be. I took two steps back then, and I heard her voice.

"Darell? Are you there?"

Her voice was just as I remembered it, soft and warm, but now she clearly sounded troubled and worried. As I heard it, I stopped and shakily asked.

"Leah...?"

"Darell! I'm so happy to hear your voice. Please let me in."

She said, her voice now excited and happy. I couldn't hold myself back anymore so I rushed over and opened the door, she shot toward me like a cannonball and hugged me tightly, and I returned it fiercely.

I walked backward with her and locked the door behind us with one hand. We held each other with no words shared for a good 30 seconds before I finally asked.

"Leah... how is this possible?"

"I...I don't know... I was just- ugh."

She couldn't finish as she suddenly held her stomach and exclaimed in pain, I immediately panicked and Princess carried her over to our couch.

When I placed her down, she no longer seemed to be in pain though she was noticeably paler now. I frowned and asked.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?"

"It's fine pumpkin... I'm just hungry is all."

She tried to reply casually, but I knew she took this stance when something was actually wrong. I suppressed the desire to press her for more information and asked instead.

"So, what do you want to eat Leah."

"What's available?"

"Beef stew and rice."

"That sounds great, can I have some?"

She asked. I just nodded, went to the kitchen and heated it, and dished her a plate. I placed it in front of her and watched as she ate, she was Leah as I remembered her. The same petite, brunette I fell in love with all those years ago.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

She caught me staring and smiled, the food in her mouth caused her voice to be slightly muffled as she asked.

"I'm not going to vanish you kn-"

She stopped herself mid-sentence as she noticed tears in my eyes, she placed her food down and caressed the side of my face and she asked.

"What's wrong Darell?"

"It's nothing, Leah... I just missed you so much."

She just hugged me and whispered in my ear.

"I'm sorry for not being hear all this while."

This caused me to finally break down, all these sudden turn of events combined with the alcohol caused me to cry myself to sleep.

____

The next morning, I woke up with a slight headache, yesterday's events seemed like a dream until I heard the soft breathing beside me and it settled in. I rolled over and watched her sleep, a gentle smile finding its way to my lips.

She rustled awake and looked at me with sleepy eyes as she greeted me.

"Good morning pumpkin."

"Good morning Leah, how did you sleep?"

"I slept great, definitely better than a hospital bed."

I laughed dryly at her attempt at humor and we just stared at each other for a few moments, all sorts of questions burning behind my gaze. She finally broke the silence by saying.

"I don't know why I'm here... I just remember being in a lot of pain and then... I'm at your doorstep buck naked."

"This is.... no. It doesn't matter, all that matters is you're here."

I then reached out and caressed her face, she placed a hand on mine and smiled softly before she pulled me in for a kiss.

____

We got out of bed rather late and freshened up, since it was a Sunday, I didn't have to go to work since I'm a math teacher.

She helped me clean out the house which currently had beer cans and food wrappers lying about. I turned on the TV as I cleaned the living room, and the news channel turned on.

"-cal woman has been arrested on the charge of 1st-degree murder for the brutal stabbing of her boyfriend. When asked about why she did so, she said and I quote 'My brother was very hungry.'. Her brother had died-"

"Can you help me with something Darell?"

Leah asked, she had crept up on me as I focused on the TV. I turned to her and said.

"Of course dear, what's the matter?"

"I'm really hungry, can you get us some supplies?"

"No problem, Let me grab my wallet and head out."

I headed out to my car and ran into my neighbor, Sandra. Though she was a great friend, she was also a rather nosy neighbor so I prepared my mind for whatever rant she might have for me.

"Good morning Darell, I heard some disturbances in the neighborhood late last night. Did you hear them too?"

This question took me by surprise and I paused for a few moments before I said.

"No, no I didn't hear anything."

"Oh okay, maybe it was just some stray animal."

"Maybe, I have to head out for some supplies Suzan. See you later."

I waved her goodbye, got into my car, and drove to a nearby supermarket, I tried not to think any further about what Suzan said.

____

I spent the day with Leah at home, we made a meal together and had fun while at it. As we sat and ate dessert while watching a movie, Leah suddenly held her stomach and cried out in pain.

I turned to her in distress but there was nothing I could do, after a few moments, she let go with beads of sweat running down her face.

"I'm okay now Darell."

"No, you're not. We just need to get you to a hospital Leah."

"And tell them what?"

I fell silent at that, she then said with a forced smile.

"I... just felt a little queasy is all. Maybe it's just menstrual cramps from hell."

I took a deep breath and asked her something which has been nagging me for most of the day.

"Are you still hungry Leah? Be honest with me."

She frowned slightly at that before she sighed and said.

"Yes Darell, I'm starving."

This made my heart sink, she had been practically stuffing her face the entire day, if she was still hungry then there was no logical explanation. I then leaned in and asked softly.

"Have you been having any particular cravings?"

She licked her lips and replied.

"Yes, You... smell really, really good right now."