Page 60 of Whispers of Helena
My throat feels tight. I rub my palms down my thighs, suddenly aware of the sweat beading at my temple. “Yeah…I guess so. I haven’t asked her yet?—”
Before I can finish, he bolts upright, jumping from the bed, flinging his arms around me in a fierce hug. I barely have time to catch him, but when I do, I hold him tight, feeling the rapid beat of his heart against my chest.
“I would like that a lot, Pa.” His voice is muffled against my shirt.
I pull back just enough to see his face. “You like her?”
He steps back, standing tall in front of me, his expression full of certainty. “I like her a lot. She’s smart and makes good food. And you’re happier with her around.”
“You’re right,” I admit.
He tilts his head, eyes twinkling. “Will you marry her?”
I chuckle. “I don’t know about that yet, but I want her to be someone special to us. I just needed to know if you were okay with that. Your opinion matters, Kiran. More than anything.”
His face splits into a wide grin. “My opinion is we keep her.”
Something in my chest loosened, and I finally let out the breath I’d been holding. I nod. “Good. Thank you, son.”
He hugs me once more before climbing back into bed. I pull the quilt up over his shoulders, tucking him in the way I used to when he was smaller.
“I’m glad she’s here, Pa,” he murmurs sleepily. “I’m glad you like her.”
I stand, flipping off the lamp, my heart feeling lighter than it has in years. “Me too, son. Sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Love you, Pa. Lots.”
Soft
Helena
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
I takethe last quiet step into the hall, ready to retreat to my room for the night, just as Silas eases Kiran’s door shut. His movements are careful, like he’s sealing in something precious. The soft click of the latch drifts in the silence between us.
He turns, his eyes finding mine in the dim glow of the hallway light. “Going to bed, Helena?”
I nod. “I left the light on downstairs for you…wasn’t sure if you’d be turning in after putting Kiran to bed.”
He steps toward me, like he’s feeling out each movement. There’s something different in his gaze tonight, a quiet pull of tenderness. When he reaches for my hand, his fingers brush over mine before he takes hold, his touch warm. His eyes flicker downward to where our hands are joined, lingering there for a moment, before lifting back to mine.
“Sleep in my bed, dove?” His tone is gentle, but it wavers—uncertainty, maybe fear. In all the time since I’ve returned, I’ve never heard him sound unsure of anything.
My breath catches, my pulse skipping. “Is that what you want?”
His free hand lifts, fingers grazing my cheek before tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. He traces the shell of my ear, then rests it against my jaw.
“Yeah, it is.”
The significance of his words settles over me, pressing into my chest. This isn’t just about sharing a bed. It’s about trust, about letting me in, about him choosing to let go of the past, even if it’s just a little.
I swallow, my lips parting. “Okay.”
The word is as delicate as a sigh, but his shoulders relax at the sound of it, his thumb brushing once over my knuckles before he turns toward his room.
He leads me into his space, his hand firm in mine before he lets go, turning on the lamp beside the bed. The soft glow casts long shadows, painting the space in hues of amber. He moves with quiet certainty, closing the door and locking it, while I stand in place, unsure of what to do with myself.
