13. - – Clara
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
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CLARA
A week later, things were getting back to normal. Or as close as they could get. I wasn’t sure what normal was even supposed to look like when your past had a tricky habit of catching up to you, shadowing your every move without you even knowing it.
The hospital was wonderful, confirming I had made the right career choice. They told me to take all the time I needed, but the only thing I truly needed was Elias. They even placed a cot in his room so I could stay by his side under his watchful eye.
I was scared to go home. I found myself jumping at every shadow, even though I knew the nightmare was over and Bruce Moretti was finally behind bars.
I’ll never understand why he did what he did.
As far as I knew, my father hated him, yet Bruce was the only one who kissed his ass enough to be kept around.
I had to try to come to terms with the fact that the truth would always be just out of reach.
Now? Elias and I were moving into a new place together. Neither of us wanted to continue being haunted by the negative memories living inside the walls of our home.
My reunion with Elias had been more than I had expected.
Once we had a chance to sit down, he told me everything he could about the past. The reason my father had it out for him.
Lydia. The dolls. I couldn’t wrap my mind around all of it.
“Why did you stay?” I asked him when he told me Lydia had wanted to move again.
“I was tired of moving,” he stated. Who wants to continue moving around over and over again?
I couldn’t imagine being older and not having settled down in one place.
“I had also seen you at a coffee shop once and felt like I needed to be here, needed to protect you. Initially, I didn’t understand why. ”
I paused, a feeling of sorrow surrounding me. “I’m glad your memory is starting to come back, but there’s something concerning me.”
Elias raised a brow. “What?”
I hesitated. “What if there comes a time in which you start to resent me because of Lydia’s death?”
He studied me for a moment, placing his hand underneath my chin and pulling it up so our eyes met.
“I need you to understand something.” He swallowed hard and his eyes glossed over.
“I do hold resentment regarding Lydia’s death, but not toward you.
I could never. I am the one who made the decision to stay.
It’s my fault and that is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life. ”
A feeling came over me and I grasped his hand. “She’d want you to be happy.” I gave him a small smile. “We won’t let her memory fade away ever again.”
His smile returned. “Well, I sure hope so, because if she didn’t, well then tough luck.”
We both laughed, and the sound was nice. So much of both of our lives had been serious and void of simple joys, it felt good to finally be able to let loose and be ourselves.
“Elias, can I ask you a question?” I inquired as I stood up to adjust the picture frame he had just placed on the wall.
He nodded. “Anything, my dear.” Elias followed me. He was always following, not wanting me to get too far away. Some people would probably find it annoying, but I found it endearing. Plus, it wasn’t every day a girl’s personal security guard came back into her life as an adult.
“Why did you go by Leo back then?” I half expected him to tell me he had changed his name to make it harder for people to track him down, but his response surprised me.
His eyes squinted and he watched intently as I adjusted the frame. “It’s my middle name.” He shrugged. “Nothing special, it just felt like a better name to go by for the job than my first name.”
We both stepped back and examined the photo of Lydia to ensure it was hanging in the center of the wall. “Perfect.” The word escaped our lips in unison and we both chuckled.
“Clara.” Elias took my hand and led me over to the couch. “I know all of this sounds crazy, and some of it feels a bit rushed.” He stopped and looked down at my hand. I knew exactly what was going on in his mind.
“Yes!” I shouted, causing him to jump back.
“Of course I’ll marry you.” His eyes widened and I suddenly found myself hoping that was what he was going to ask, otherwise, I had created a moment that might just drive me back into that cellar for the rest of my life.
“I love you,” I squealed as I threw my arms around him.
Chuckling at my outburst, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into him, our bodies flush against each other.
“Good. I was hoping you would.” He smiled and kissed my forehead before presenting me with a beautiful emerald ring.
“Now, do you know why I know we are perfect for each other?” I studied him but gave up quickly with a shrug.
“It’s because your body fits perfectly against mine. ”
“I never want this to end.”
“Neither do I.”