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‘Feeling nothing—or nothing too deeply—was easy,’ he murmured warmly. ‘But it wasn’t honest. Because I still felt everything. I just pretended I didn’t. I just buried my emotions and made myself busy with other things. But they were still there until with you I couldn’t bury it any more. Life is too good with you in it,’ he groaned. ‘We’remadefor each other.’
‘We belong together.’
He cupped her face. ‘I’m so sorry you’ve been denied this for so long. But no more being alone, okay? You have me now. Always.’
She’d never belonged to anyone before. Not like this. And he knew. Now she understood his intention the other day. She’d been too scared to believe it could be anything other than rejection when in fact it was the complete opposite and if she’d had just a little more confidence, a little more faith, she’d have known that then.
‘I saw Shaun today.’
Elias looked at her astutely.
‘You might lose your money.’
‘That’s less of a problem for me than it is for you.’ Elias said gently. ‘You worked so hard for your independence.’
‘So did you.’
‘And I’m a lot further along that path than you are.’ He rolled his shoulders and shot her a half smile. ‘I invest in all kinds of enterprises.’
‘Not usually small owner-operated courier businesses.’
‘He’s an okay guy.’ Elias sighed. ‘He feels terrible.’
‘I know,’ she said softly. ‘But you didn’t want me to know.’ She drew in a little breath. ‘You didn’t want me to be grateful for that, either?’ She shook her head when he didn’t answer. ‘You don’t want me to be grateful for anything? It’s not going to work like that, Elias. I am always,alwaysgoing to be grateful foryou.’
He bowed his head and rested his forehead against hers. ‘I finally realised we’re even,’ he murmured. ‘You have power over me. Total power.’ He cupped her hands in his. ‘Because you hold my heart. I’m hoping you won’t crush it and throw it away.’
‘Never,’ she promised, crowding closer still. ‘You don’t have to change for me, Elias. Not in anyway. I just needyouwith me.’
She’d strived for everything alone for so long and to have him—the one she wanted more than anything at her side—helping her and loving her and promising never to leave her...was utterly overwhelming. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe him but that she couldn’t believe it was real at all. ‘Just promise me I’m not dreaming?’
His gaze turned tender. ‘I’m here. And I promise I’m not going anywhere.’ He pulled her to him. ‘I breathe deeper with you. Feel more. Do more. You’re the energy in my life and I’m not going to lose you. We’ll do it all, have it all, together.’ He smiled at her with all the love in the world. ‘I’ve got you, Darcie Milne. And I’ll hold you. Always.’
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Two years later
‘COMEBACKUPSTAIRSto me...’
Darcie’s husky plea echoed in his head. She was still up in their bed and the last time he’d peeked he’d seen she’d fallen back to sleep. But he’d never ignore her request. He’d once said no to her. He’d never know how he actually did. And he never would again. Not when she’d been so wary of asking him for anything more. She’d been so afraid of rejection and abandonment, so untrusting, he was determined never to let her down again. He would be by her side any time and every time she asked. He’d slowed down on the mergers and acquisitions. He’d even sold off a couple of things. There wasn’t the drive to accumulate as much anymore because he had other things to do. Like make breakfast in bed with his favourite little sidekick.
‘She likes maple syrup,’ Lily announced confidently.
‘She does. Let’s make sure we have plenty in the jug.’ He winked at the little girl.
Lily had been with them for just over a year now—a permanent placement with adoption on the near horizon. And it was wonderful. Also wonderful were the more frequent lunch dates he had with his mother. Darcie came sometimes, too. And his mother had met Lily. It was one way in which he could enrich his mother’s life—to just be there for her. Anytime she asked. And happily, she was asking more and more.
‘She’s having a really big sleep-in.’ Lily said.
‘Yeah.’ Darcie had been tired lately and Elias had his suspicions as to why, but he was waiting for her to explain it to him.
‘Will she be okay?’
‘Of course.’ Elias smiled reassuringly at Lily. ‘Especially once she’s had our amazing breakfast.’
When he opened the bedroom door for Lily, Darcie was sitting up in bed. Her smile widened as she watched Lily carefully carry the laden breakfast tray. ‘That looks amazing, Lily. I love pancakes.’
But Elias noticed—with an inward smile—that it was the piece of plain toast Darcie picked up first.
