Chapter 33 #2
Something deep inside me cracks open, the lonely little boy from the orphanage, the one who never felt good enough, finally hears what he’s always needed.
I pull her closer, kissing her deeply, pouring everything I feel into it. When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers, voice rough with emotion.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
I watch her for a moment, letting the sight of her settle something deep inside me.
“So what were you doing?” I want to take her upstairs and have our clothes off.
“I’m baking chocolate lava cake,” she says with a soft, almost shy smile. She knows it’s my favorite dessert.
She didn’t have to do this. There are staff for cooking, chefs who could make anything I want on command. But she’s here, sleeves rolled up, whisking batter with her own hands because she wants to take care of me. Not out of duty. Not out of fear. Just… because she cares.
It undoes me every single time.
This woman chooses to do these small, quiet things for me.
She remembers what I like. She looks out for me in ways no one ever has.
It heals parts of the lonely boy from the orphanage I thought were long buried, the kid who never had anyone make something just for him, who never felt like he belonged anywhere.
I kiss her deeply and groan softly into her mouth, savoring her. When I pull back, I rest my forehead against hers.
“I love when you do this,” I murmur. “You don’t have to, but you do. It means more than you know.”
She smiles, a little shy, a little pleased. “I like taking care of you too.”
I kiss her again, slower this time, my hands sliding under the hem of my shirt she’s wearing. She melts against me, her body fitting perfectly against mine.
“I just need to put it in the oven,” she says between kisses. “Why don’t you go take a shower? By the time we’re done with dinner, it should be ready.”
I smile against her lips. “Or I could have my dessert right now.”
I punctuate each word with a kiss, trailing my mouth down her neck. She laughs softly, but I feel her shiver.
“Did you miss the part where I said I need to put it in the oven? It’s not ready yet.”
I keep kissing her, hands roaming. “I wasn’t talking about the cake. You’re my favorite dessert.”
A moan escapes her lips. “No, I do really need to get it into the oven, it’s been preheated.”
I can feel her resolve slowly giving way. “I’ll be quick.”
She pulls back just enough to look at me, rolling her eyes playfully. “We both know you’re never quick.”
I raise an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Is that a complaint I’m hearing?”
Her expression softens instantly. “Never. I could never complain about that.”
“Good,” I growl, pulling her back in for another deep kiss.
We lose ourselves for a few more minutes, kissing, touching, her body leaning into mine like she can’t get close enough. I think I’m winning, my hands sliding higher under the shirt, when she finally finds the strength to push gently against my chest.
“Go take your shower,” she says, breathless but firm, a smile playing on her lips.
I groan but release her, stealing one last kiss before heading upstairs.
After dinner and the rich chocolate lava cake my wife made, Calina drags me to the living room. We settle on the couch, and she immediately curls up with her head on my lap, while I run my fingers through the soft strands of her hair.
The TV is playing some show about house reconstruction or renovation, I don’t really care. Before her, the television in this house collected dust. I never saw the point in sitting around watching other people live their lives. It felt like a waste of time.
But with Calina, any activity that lets me spend time with her is worth it. Even this. Because she’s here. Her laughter at the silly moments, the way she comments on color schemes, the way her body relaxes against mine, it makes everything better. She makes everything better.
During a commercial break, she calls my name softly.
“Maxim?”
“Yes, malyshka?”
She sits up, folding one leg underneath her. There’s a slight hesitation in her posture that makes me curious. My wife is usually direct with me now, but I can see she’s nervous about whatever is on her mind.
“I’ve been thinking about something,” she says.
I turn toward her fully, giving her my complete attention. “Tell me. You know I always want to hear what’s on your mind.”
She bites her lip, then releases it. “Since our wedding was attacked… and now that we don’t have anyone actively hunting us…
I was thinking… I’d like a redo. A proper wedding this time.
Not on a secluded island where we have to hide.
A real one, with our people, where I can walk down the aisle and everyone can celebrate with us. I want to do it right.”
A slow smile spreads across my face. My wife always comes up with the best ideas.
I reach out, brushing my thumb across her lower lip, pulling it gently from between her teeth.
“That’s a great idea, malyshka. Let’s do it. We’ll give you the wedding you deserve.”
Her face lights up instantly, that beautiful smile breaking across her features like sunshine. She throws her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. “Thank you! I’ll call my sister and we can start planning.”
I hold her close, breathing her in. Making my wife happy has become one of the greatest joys of my life. I never thought I’d care about things like weddings or ceremonies, but seeing her eyes light up, knowing I can give her this, it fills a part of me I didn’t know was empty.
She deserves the world. And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure she gets it.