Chapter 57
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Cora
It’s Christmas Eve, and I can finally get up and around a bit better on my own. Atlas tends to hover, but I’m not complaining. It was a bit of a shock to find out he had moved into the house while I was in the hospital.
Apparently, he talked with Noah, and they thought it was a great idea. I still need a lot of help, and I decided while in that basement that I’d never waste time again. I regret not hearing him out at Thanksgiving. I’ve apologized a bunch of times to him, but he shakes it off.
Seth is picking me up today for an appointment because Atlas is busy finishing some last-minute things for Christmas.
He’s wrapped up everything I had for Noah and hasn’t complained once about doing basically everything.
I don’t feel like myself yet, and have little to no energy most days, so I hate it.
The Morgans came over, and when I finally got to see Mila, Mara, and their parents, the floodgates fully opened.
Daniel apologized for not seeing it sooner, but no one knew that Bea had moved.
We all tried to forget she existed, but she never forgot about us.
I told the police about what she did to that family, even though I don’t know what they can do about it now.
So much evil from one person has destroyed so many lives.
I still have nightmares most nights, and wake distressed, thinking I’m in that cold basement, but Atlas is there for me.
He holds me tightly and reminds me I’m safe.
I start counseling in the new year, but I’m thankful it’s over, and Noah and I can move on with our lives. He’ll never know what really happened.
“Who even has a doctor’s appointment on Christmas Eve?” I grumble to Seth as we head toward the hospital.
I have to talk to an orthopedic doctor to see if I can graduate from the cast to a brace or splint. That bastard Aidan did some damage when he broke my finger.
I know Atlas said he killed Aidan, but I’m better off not knowing specifics. The police never questioned Aidan’s absence. They figure he skipped town, violating his parole. They’ll never find him, according to the guys.
Seth has been a bit distant around me, so I’m glad we have this time together. We need to clear the air.
“Seth?” I turn to face him in my seat. He has a beanie pulled down over his light hair, even though a few stray pieces creep out just like Atlas’. They really are brothers.
“Yeah?” He turns to glance at me, eyes returning to the road quickly.
“We need to talk. I don’t blame you for Thanksgiving.”
“You should.” He scoffs. “If I hadn’t opened my stupid mouth, none of this would have happened. You wouldn’t have left and probably wouldn’t have been taken.”
“We don’t know that,” I reason. It’s true. I thought about it a lot in the hospital, and I think eventually they would have tried something anyway. Aidan apparently racked up some debts to drug dealers, and Bea was just an evil old woman.
“You don’t have to be kind, Cora. I know I messed up.”
“How you went about it was shitty, but I know it came from a place of concern for Atlas. I love him, ya know?”
Smiling, he nods. “Oh, I know you do. I just wasn’t sure if his head was in the right place. He was slipping into this father-type role, and it’s not something to take lightly.”
“I agree, but Atlas knew that he was always all in. I may not have seen it, but the signs were there.”
“He’s so protective of you and Noah. You have no idea, Cora.”
After watching the way Rhett looks at him sometimes now, I’m getting an idea. It’s like he’s equal parts in awe and afraid, but no one will explain it.
“Atlas isn’t going anywhere, so that means you aren’t going anywhere, either,” I point out. “I hold no grudges, and I want you to stop beating yourself up.”
Nodding his head, Seth pulls into the medical center. Turning to give me his full attention, he offers me his hand. “Deal, but you have to promise that you’ll get Noah to stop thinking Kash is the best uncle he has.”
Laughing, I shake his hand but break his heart. “I don’t know. He keeps letting Noah get those stencil tattoos, so you may have to up your game.”
“Cheating bastard,” he grumbles, getting out of the car before he helps me in.
I have crutches, but I hate using them, so Seth brought my chair.
The bullet didn’t hit anything major, so it was an easy extraction.
It still hurts and swells occasionally, but I start PT soon, and that should help.
The idea of using crutches with a cast as I hobble through the parking lot isn’t my idea of a good time.
Seth pops a wheelie in my borrowed wheelchair, making me giggle.
“See, I can be the fun one.” He smirks, wheeling me in. It feels so good to be out of the cold. After spending that time down there, I feel like I can never be warm enough.
I head up and wait for my turn. As it turns out, I need the cast for a few more weeks, then maybe after the holidays are over, I can upgrade to a brace. Not the answer I was hoping for, but it is what it is.
On the journey back home, I start to feel tired. The headaches still come and go but are getting better. Atlas is always there for anything I need.
Pulling into the house, I see his car in the driveway and smile. As Seth helps me out of the car, Atlas beats him to it. “How was your appointment, baby? Sorry I couldn’t be there for it.”
“It was okay,” I explain, walking into the house. The smell of cinnamon and apple fills the air. “What’d you make?” I ask, limping into the kitchen.
“Just some apple dumplings. Noah said Matt made some really good ones, and I couldn’t have him thinking his were better.
Here.” He pulls out a chair, placing one in front of me with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
“Try it.” Cutting a piece off, I pop it into my mouth and let out a groan.
The apple is just soft enough, and the cinnamon sugar combination melts on my tongue—don’t even get me started on the crust. It’s so flaky and buttery.
Atlas’ eyes darken, and I realize how I probably sound when Seth laughs. “Man, you good there, Cora? Should we leave you and the dumpling alone?”
Laughing, I pull the bowl closer. “Don’t even think about touching it.” I point my fork at him.
He sticks around a bit longer but reminds us to be at Emma’s at seven sharp as he leaves.
Glancing at the clock, I see it’s almost four. I’m so tired already. “Do I have time for a nap?”
“Of course you do, baby. Daniel picked up Noah a bit ago. He wanted to grab some cocoa with him. We have plenty of time.”
Squealing as he lifts me in the air, I smile at him as he bypasses the living room and heads for the stairs. God, he makes me so happy.
“There’s my Firefly, lighting my whole world up.” He dips his head to capture my lips. Tilting my face, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. Carefully, he walks us up the stairs, cradling me and protecting my head.
When we get to our bedroom, Atlas pulls back the comforter and lays me down. He was right about the bed being bigger and softer than my old one.
“Lie down with me?” I ask as he turns.
“I was planning to, baby, just closing our door in case.” He winks.
“In case of what?”
“In case I decide to have my way with you.” He walks back toward me, pulling his shirt over his head, then pushes his sweats down his legs.
Stepping out of them, he moves back toward the bed. “These have got to go, pretty girl.” He tugs on my sweats. “This too.” He pulls my shirt gently over my head. The cast makes it a bit awkward, but he never complains.
I didn’t bother with a bra today for my appointment. It wasn’t like anyone could tell anything with the sweatshirt I borrowed from Atlas.
I lift my hips and stifle the yawn trying to escape. I know my body is tired and wants rest, but my brain is more interested in the tattooed man in front of me.
Atlas leans down and captures my lips in a hard, branding kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down on top of me. We’re skin to skin, but I can’t get close enough. He pulls back and pushes a stray piece of my hair to the side.
“Cora.” He whispers my name, his dark eyes focused on mine. “You know I love you, right, baby?”
“Of course I do. You know I love you too, Atlas, right?”
He smiles, and warmth spreads through my chest. Even though he talks about us having babies with my eyes, I need them to have his smile. His lips curve up, and a little dimple pops out. Our babies will be so happy; they’ll smile like he does.
“And that I’d do anything for you.” His hand moves down my neck, trailing a path to my throat. He gently applies a bit of pressure there. “That I’ll slay any monsters who try to hurt you or Noah.”
Tilting my head back, I silently ask for his kiss. Atlas doesn’t leave me waiting, pressing his lips back to mine. His tongue pushes past my lips, and I bask in the love I feel. Tangling my tongue with his, I get lost in the moment, raking my fingers through his hair, trying to hold him in place.
I can feel heat spreading to my stomach, and I push my hips up into his. “Baby.” He groans, feeling me grind against him. Pulling back, he tenderly strokes my cheek with his thumb.
“Marry me.”
My brain and body freeze. Did he just say what I think he said? His dark eyes are watching for my reaction, and I blank.
“It’s not a question, because there isn’t a yes or no answer. It’s more a polite demand.” He sits back, reaching over to his nightstand, grabbing a small box. Opening it, he takes out a thin white gold band and slides it onto my finger.
“Cora, I never knew it was possible to love someone the way that I love you. It’s all-consuming, and I’ll never feel this way about anyone else.
You are my light, the other half of my soul, and my heart.
Be my wife, baby, be my Firefly, and one day, be the mother of my babies, and let me love them with you. ”