Chapter 30
“Yes,” Tila said, breaking the silence. The colorful nursery, with its soft pastels and cheerful décor, wasn’t exactly the most romantic place for this moment, but it would have to do.
Joran’s brows furrowed as he turned to look at her, still bouncing Laith gently in his arms. “Yes?”
She met his gaze, love shining in her eyes. “Yes, I want to marry you, Joran.”
His expression shifted from confusion to something raw and unguarded. He turned fully to face her, his grip on Laith tightening for just a second, as if grounding himself. “You…?”
“Yes,” she whispered, her voice softer but steady. “I understand now.”
Joran tilted his head slightly, searching her face. “What do you understand?”
“That you didn’t reach out over the past few months because you were just as overwhelmed as I was. You had new responsibilities, a sister you’d never known, and an entire country that needed you. I get it now.”
Joran shook his head immediately. “No, Tila, don’t make excuses for me. I should have called. I sent text messages, trying to let you know I’d be back, but I should have done more. I should have told you what was happening.” He sighed, stepping closer, his free hand reaching toward her. “The only explanation I have is that maybe I texted the wrong number.” His head dipped, pressing a light, apologetic kiss to her lips. “I should have followed up.”
“Yes,” she agreed, cutting off his self-recrimination. “You should have. And I’m telling you right now—I won’t let you shut me out like that again.” She stepped closer, mock-glaring up at him. “So be warned, Joran. In the future, you are going to explain things to me.”
He let out a short laugh, but his expression sobered just as quickly. His gaze swept the nursery, the bassinets, the remnants of a terrifying past few days. “But, Tila, I… I let you down. Again. I let someone steal one of our sons.” His voice cracked slightly, the weight of it pressing on him.
“No,” she argued, shifting Rafi in her arms. “Our sons are here. They are safe. We’ll put new security measures in place, and we’ll make sure it never happens again.” She reached up, cupping his face gently. “We have our family. And I want you as my husband.”
She moved closer, pressing her palm to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. “Joran, I want you by my side as we raise these boys. As we build our life together.”
His hands curled around her waist, but he hesitated. “You know you don’t have to marry me, Tila. I will protect you and the boys for the rest of my life, no matter what.”
Her lips parted, hesitation flickering in her expression for the first time. “I want you, Joran,” she said, her voice almost tentative. “As long as you still want me.”
His reaction was instant. “Yes!” he said, the vehemence in his voice leaving no room for doubt. “Hell yes!”
He moved in, but the babies nestled in their arms created an impossible barrier between them. With an impatient huff, Joran carefully laid Laith down in the bassinet, then turned to Tila, taking Rafi from her and placing him in the other.
The moment the boys were settled, he reached for her, pulling her into his arms like he’d been starved for the feel of her. His lips crashed down onto hers, full of love, full of everything he hadn’t been able to say before.
“Yes,” he murmured against her lips, kissing her again. “Hell yes! I love you, Tila, and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life proving to you just how much.”
Tila smiled, breathless. “I love you too, Joran.”
She barely got the words out before he kissed her again.