Page 84 of The Rejected Wife

"Now that you’re my wife." He nods. “How do you feel about adopting her?”

“Adopting her?” I still. The thought hadn’t occurred to me. But it makes sense. In many ways, I feel like Serene’s mother, but adopting her would mean I’d also be so in an official capacity.

As if reading my thoughts he nods. “That way, you’ll have legal guardianship over her.”

Emotions press at the backs of my eyes, but my chest blooms with something fierce. Something very much like happiness. A certainty. “Yes.” I nod. “That feels right.”

I rub slow circles over Serene’s back. This connection to her I felt from the moment I first met her is something I can’t explain. It’s like it was coiled under my breast, lying in wait, and sprang to life as soon as I saw her.

Serene wriggles in my grasp. When I let her go, she flops down on the seat between us and begins to play with her soft toys again.

"We’re landing." I glance past my husband to where the sea is now visible.

"We are." He reaches over and snaps the seat belt over Serene, who doesn’t stop playing. Then he nods at me. "Buckle up, baby."

"Why do you call Mama baby?" Serene says without looking up.

I exchange a look with Tyler.

"It’s a term of affection," he finally says.

"It’s because you love her." She nods.

"Um… I’m not sure that’s what it means," I demur.

I look in his direction to find he’s staring at me with a strange expression on his face. He doesn’t protest what she said. That gives me hope.

Mind you, it may be that he doesn’t protest because he wants us to project a strong, loving relationship to Serene, but I prefer to think it’s because he’s coming around to the fact that he does love me.

No, he hasn’t yet told me so. But there’s the way he took care of me when he took my virginity, the way he kissed me, the way he’s always been tender toward me… And caring, and putting my comfort first… All of which confirms to me that he feels something for me. He has to. It’s why, the first time we made love, felt so special.

Of course, it could be because I'm more than halfway in love with him. He and Serene are everything to me. I can’t even remember what my life looked like before them. And I’ll always be in her life, which is a comfort. An assurance. I wish he’d give me the same confidence when it comes to him, but there's something stopping him from committing fully, and I’m beginning to wonder what that is.

"Fasten your seat belt." He nods at me.

I do as I'm told. Then, needing comfort, I place my hand on Serene’s back.

"Mommy." She abandons her toys and places her head in my lap.

"I’m here, honey." I slide my hand over hers and squeeze, then start when a much bigger, wider, brown palm settles over both of ours.

"I’m here for the both of you. Always," he rumbles.

Sometimes, I think this man can read my mind. Tears prick the backs of my eyes, and I blink them away. I shouldn’t be this emotional… But perhaps, the wedding affected me more than I realized. Not to mention, making love to him and feeling a connection that seems like more than he promised. Slowly, it’s sinking in what it means to be this man’s wife… To share his bed, and his life, and his daughter…but not have him declare his love aloud for me. Perhaps, he never will. I need to face up to that.

"You all right?" he asks in a low voice.

I sense Serene stiffening and force my muscles to relax.No, he will. I'll convince him.My daughter is very sensitive to changes in emotions. I’ve noticed how her gaze always homes in on Tyler in a room… And how she seeks me out constantly when I take her to the park. But while she’s happy to spend time with me, she only truly relaxes when both Tyler and I are with her. She, no doubt, notices that my thoughts are in turmoil. I push away all my apprehensions and flash Tyler as genuine a smile as I can muster. "Of course."

He doesn’t seem convinced but nods slowly.

I take another deep breath, forcing the tension from my body. Only then, does Serene reach for one of her soft toys and begin to play with it.

I exchange glances with Tyler, and he mouths, “We’ll talk later.”

I nod, then glance past him—toward the deep blue of the Indian Ocean, its edges brushed with white sand. Beyond that, the paddy fields stretch out in rolling green rows. Then the runway comes into view.

* * *

---