Chapter Fourteen #3
But this time, she wasn’t running, she wasn’t settling for anything less for herself. For them. For their child. “Why do you need me to love you? Why isn’t my surrender enough? Isn’t that what the marriage was about?”
He came to her then, a wetness making his eyes shimmer. His fingers shook as he clamped her jaw in those long fingers, his touch a bit rough. But she didn’t care because he was touching her.
“Because I love you, agapi.” He pressed his forehead to hers, one lone tear running down his cheek.
“Because the idea of having you in my life through coercion and contract, without you loving me as I do you, is intolerable. And if you hate me because of my actions, I would die all over again, Aliyah. As I nearly did when I thought you left me. When you found me unworthy of your trust, your affection.”
Leaning in, Aliyah rubbed her nose against his. “No, please. Don’t say that, Constantine. I loved you so much and the idea of you not choosing me broke my heart. I was a coward, but never again.”
“We forgive each other then and move on, ne?” His fingers clamped down on her shoulder, pulling her inexorably closer. “Tell me, Aliyah. Put me out of my misery. The last few days have been hell on me, yineka mou. The idea of giving you up tore me to pieces.”
“Hush, none of that, love,” Aliyah said, pressing her tear-stained mouth to his.
“I love you, Constantine. I realized I never stopped loving you that night Mama told me what she’d done.
The idea of anything happening to you…nearly broke me.
I love you so much that it’s made me a stronger person.
It made me realize that I could fight the whole damned world to protect you, to protect us. ”
Constantine’s world, long desolate, exploded with light and color. Her declaration, “I love you, Constantine,” was the sweetest melody, a balm to his raw soul. He wanted to drown in the words, to make them part of him.
“Say it again,” he demanded, his voice a guttural rasp, his fingers tightening on her jaw, then her shoulder, pulling her closer until their bodies were flush.
He didn’t wait, couldn’t wait. His mouth descended, claiming hers with a desperate hunger. He kissed her, a deep, consuming plunge, then nipped at her lower lip, tasting the salt of her tears, the sweetness of her skin. The kiss exploded, a conflagration of pent-up longing and overwhelming relief.
His hands tangled in her soft, dark hair, pulling her head back as the kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, a new fever coursing through his veins. The world outside the greenhouse ceased to exist.
All that mattered was the feel of her soft curves pressed against him, the intoxicating scent of her skin, the taste of her on his tongue. He heard a sharp crack as something crashed from the counter, a terra-cotta pot shattering, but neither of them broke the kiss.
They finally pulled apart, breathless, their chests heaving.
He looked down at the broken pot, then at her, a low, rumbling laugh escaping him. Aliyah laughed too, a soft, musical sound that filled the restored greenhouse, making the very air vibrate with happiness.
He ran a thumb over her still-damp cheek, his heart overflowing.
“How about a honeymoon, agapi?” he asked, his voice husky. “Do you think you’re up for travel?”
Her eyes, still shimmering with unshed tears, widened. “Where?” she whispered, her voice full of wonder.
“New York,” he murmured, his gaze sweeping over her, taking in every exquisite detail. “We can stay a month, or longer. Pick up Rose.”
Aliyah launched herself at him, her arms wrapping around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder. He inhaled her scent and held her tight, grounding himself in her embrace.
“I love you,” she whispered against his skin, her voice clear.
“Thank you for taking care of my father and mother, even when you thought I would walk away.” She pulled back slightly, her gaze searching his, a soft, knowing smile playing on her lips.
“Papa was right. That good, kindhearted boy is still there in you.”
He felt a blush creep up his neck. “You think?” he managed, his voice rough with emotion.
“Yes,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “And I hope our son is just like that.”
Constantine froze. The world tilted.
Their son?
He stared at her, stunned, the words echoing in his mind. A boy? His hand, almost involuntarily, pressed against the gentle swell of her belly, the warmth of her skin seeping into his palm.
“It’s a boy?” he said, the words barely a whisper.
“I had to go in for some extra tests and they confirmed it.”
“Everything okay with you…and the baby?”
She nodded, her hand coming up to cover his, her fingers intertwining with his own. “Happy?”
Happy?
Was that what this tight, overflowing feeling in his chest was? This dizzying rush that made his ears ring? This lightness that made him feel as if he could float away if he wasn’t tethered to her?
It was more than happy.
It was everything. It was the future, tangible and real, pressing against his palm.
“Yes,” he breathed, his voice thick with emotion, pulling her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead, then her lips.
“And you better get used to it, Constantine,” Aliyah said, her voice firm, resolute. “I refuse to allow anything else in our lives, ever again.”
He laughed, a deep, rich sound.
“I will, pethi mou,” he vowed, his voice hoarse with devotion. “With you by my side, fighting for us, I’m ready for anything.”