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“You could have asked me for any of this anytime in the past five years, and I would have done it,” he assured her.
“Maybe you actually believe that, but I know it’s not true.”
“I can prove nothing about my intentions in the past, only the present. Know those intentions are for your contentment.”
“Not happiness?”
“No one person can assure another’s happiness.”
“I agree.”
“You chose to be happy while living under the strain of a life not anything like what you’d wanted or imagined you would have with me.” He understood that now. “I believe you will find it much easier to make that choice if you are genuinely content with your lot.”
She took another sip of her no longer steaming tea, the scent of chamomile wafting to him. “You’re probably right.”
“I like to be right.”
“I know.” A worried expression flitted over her lovely features, but then it was gone. “I’m not going back to full-time corporate prop after the baby is born. I want time with my children.”
“You seem much more relaxed with the current schedule.” And it bothered him more than she would ever understand now that he understood how much she had not enjoyed her previous one. How exhausting she had found it and how she had tried so hard to be the attentive parent she wanted to be and still not let him down.
“I am.”
“Then we will keep it.”
She stilled, like she was waiting for him to take the words back. Of course, he did not.
Finally, she nodded. “I would like that.”
“Corrina and Petros can do some of the socializing for the company’s sake we have been doing these past five years.”
“So, you won’t just start going to these things without me?”
“Ohi.” No, he would not. Absolutely. Did she not realize he would miss her? But he did not say so, only offered what he knew she would believe. “I too want to see my children grow.”
“I’m glad.” Pollyanna untucked her feet, no doubt preparing to stand. “Well, that’s a good place to start, don’t you think?”
“I do.” He reached for her tea and took a sip, grimacing at the taste.
She smiled. “Not your favorite.”
“No, but you like it.”
“I do.”
“And that is all that matters.” He hoped she understood that he was talking about more than tea here.
“Is there anything you want to see happen?”
That she would even ask proved to him once again how committed to making their marriage work his incredible wife really was. “Your generosity of spirit humbles me. Since you are asking, date nights. I want them once a week, whether we’ve been to a business-related social function, or not.”
“I’d like that, Alexandros.” She stood, clearly assuming he was done.
But he wasn’t. “I want to call you agape mou without you flinching, frowning, or turning your face away.”
“I…” She let her voice trail off and showed she understood how important this was by really thinking about her answer. “I’ll try.”
He nodded. “About last night—”
