Chapter Twenty-Nine - EMMA #2
I lean my head on Ivan’s shoulder for the entire ride home and occasionally doze off. Ivan doesn’t let go of my hand until he has to get out of the car ahead of me so he can help me down and into the house.
When we walk in, I’m greeted by Mrs. Ivanova.
“Welcome home, Emma,” she says, taking my face in her hands and kissing me on both cheeks.
“Thank you, Mrs. Ivanova,” I tell her, returning the cheek kisses. I look around and notice that things are clean and back to normal. You’d never guess that two weeks ago there was a mafia shootout here.
Ivan leads me towards the living room, letting me lean into him while I walk slowly. He helps me sit down and makes sure I’m comfortable.
“Ivan, you’re hovering,” I tell him. He seems hyper-fixated on my comfort. “I survived a gunshot wound and a concussion. I may have some scrapes and bruises left, but I think I’ve proven that I’m not breakable.”
“Finally, someone to challenge you,” Lidiya says, sitting down beside me on the couch.
“I will protect you even more now after everything that’s happened,” Ivan tells me, propping a pillow behind my head. “What do you need?”
“I need you to relax and just sit with me,” I tell him, patting the seat next to me. He sits down and puts his arm around my shoulders.
“Emma, are you hungry?” Mrs. Ivanova asks from the entryway.
“Yes, ma’am,” I reply. Mrs. Ivanova turns toward the kitchen before I can even tell her what I’d like.
“What are your plans for your recovery?” Lidiya asks.
“Physical therapy and occupational therapy starts next week,” I start to tell her. “I guess I should call Boris and tell him that I probably won’t be back to work any time soon.”
“I’ve already taken care of that,” Ivan says.
“Oh, okay then. Well, I guess maybe look into going back to school,” I say. “I was almost done with my degree in food science at Cornell. I told Ivan that I wanted to work for a non-profit or a foundation. Barring that, I figured I could fall back on my food knowledge and become a chef.”
“That’s very admirable,” Lidiya replies.
Mrs. Ivanova reappears in the living room, carrying a tray of dumplings and condiments. She also included a cup of hot tea.
“Here you are, Emma,” she says, placing the food on the coffee table in front of me. “This will help you get your strength back.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Ivanova,” I tell her, reaching for the cup of tea. I sip it slowly and hold the warm cup between my hands. I smile when I see Ivan reach for a dumpling, and Mrs. Ivanova slaps his hand away.
We are soon joined by Ivan’s brothers and more food from the kitchen. It’s nice to be home, and I’m glad that Ivan’s brothers and sister are including me in their conversations.
The conversation eventually reaches a natural pause, and I find myself yawning and trying to keep my eyes open.
“Let’s get you to bed,” Ivan says when he notices my eyes doing the long blink. “You guys can see yourselves out,” he says to his siblings.
Ivan picks me up from the couch and carries me upstairs to the bedroom.
He helps me shower, his strong hands to gently massage my scalp when he washes my hair.
His touch never fails to send tingles to my core and down to my toes.
I can tell he’s holding himself back from going any further out of consideration for my recent hospitalization.
The doctor said no sex for at least another month.
“What’s wrong, Ivan? You look like you have something on your mind,” I ask him when he finishes tucking the covers around me.
“Emma,” he says as he sits on the edge of the bed and takes my hand. “I really thought I lost you two weeks ago. I would have never forgiven myself if you hadn’t survived your injuries. I’m so sorry you were hurt.”
“Don’t apologize. I love you, and I would do anything for you. Including taking a bullet,” I tell him while pointing to a fresh bandage on my abdomen.
“I owe you my life so many times over,” Ivan replies.
“You don’t owe me anything, Ivan.”
“Yes I do, and I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you and showing you just how much I love you,” Ivan continues.
“I love you, too, Ivan,” I say as I give him a smile.
“I need you to do something for me,” Ivan says. He looks nervous. Ivan doesn’t do nervous.
“What is it?” I ask him. That’s when he gets down on one knee beside the bed.
“Marry me.” It’s more a statement than a question. He pulls out a ring box and opens it. Inside is an oval-cut diamond ring on a simple band.
“Yes!” is my instant answer. Ivan slips the ring on my finger, and his lips crash to mine.
“I was worried I wouldn’t be able to give you this,” Ivan explains.
“It’s beautiful,” I tell him as I look down at my ring finger. He crawls into bed next to me and pulls me to his chest.
I place my head on his shoulder as he puts his arm around my back, still wanting to be gentle while he holds me.
It’s not long before I’m sound asleep, warm and happy, snuggled up against Ivan’s body. I feel safe with him no matter where we are or what happens. I know he’ll protect me with his body the way I protected him with mine.
Hopefully, it will never come to that, for either of us.
On prinadlezhit mne.
He belongs to me.
For always.