Page 99 of The Vow We Made
“You think I’m going to risk losing you?” I reply jokingly. “If I have to break a few rules in the future to keep you, I’ll do it.”
I continue to touch the delicate contours of her skin, running my fingertips along the outline of her face and brushing her hair away. I focus solely on her mouth as she props herself up and her tongue dips between the seams of her lips, enticing me forward. Curling my hand around the nape of her neck, I pull her closer. My mouth settles against hers, gently at first, until my tongue searches for entry. The velvety warmth of her tongue entwines with mine while we’re drawn together with an urgency I’ve never experienced before. Our mouths clash with each nip and lick until eventually, our foreheads meet and we close our eyes; the weight of our worries is behind us. Her fresh scent, the soft waves of hair through my fingers and the way her lips taste, are the things I can no longer live without and why I’m making damn sure, I won’t have to.
“You’re amazing Victoria. Do you know that?”
“You’re pretty amazing yourself.” Her worries clear for a short moment but I can see she is mulling something over.
“What is it?” I ask lifting her chin, to try and gage what’s on her mind.
“What about Luke and Evelynn?” The hope in her eyes is fading again, but I’m determined to bring it back. I take both her hands and look her right in the eyes.
“Victoria, do you want us to work?”
“More than anything.”
I raise my brows. “Then it’s simple. You said yourself you didn’t tell me certain things because you didn’t want obstacles in our way, but now you’re putting them there. Our life together doesn’t have to be difficult. This is how couples work; they take the rough with the smooth and handle it together. It won’t be easy seeing Eve in a different situation and another life, but I’m sure it’s the same for her. Be there for her as she’ll be there for you, and in a way, nothing will change, just the location and frequency. At least, give it a try.”
She scoots herself up to sit on my lap. “I can do that.”
I can’t expect any more from her. It’s going to take time to get used to the idea.
She lays her head on my chest and while deep in thought, runs her fingers along the button of my polo shirt. “We will make it, won’t we Aiden?”
“Why wouldn’t we want to give this everything we’ve got? Do you realise every minute I spend with you is the biggest and best part of my existence? I wouldn’t give that up without a fight.”
She chokes out a cross between a laugh and a sob. “You’re going to start me off.”
“I hope happy tears. I want to give you everything you deserve.”
She continues to play with the buttons on my shirt, until her palm lays flat against me and her forehead comes to rest there. “I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost you.”
Bringing her closer into my hold, I tell her, “You don’t have to worry about it. It will never happen.”
She gazes up and smiles, her lips begging to be kissed once more, so I do exactly that, and show her I mean every word.
VICTORIA
A slow walk with no destination in mind is what we need after our draining evening. We’ve talked our way through the night and into the morning; my favourite part of any day. The air around us feels fresh; the temperature warm, but this is due to our increased pace. Somehow, we’ve made our way to a children’s park with only the distant hum of traffic around us. If I were on my own, I’m sure I’d find this place eerie and wouldn’t venture here so early in the morning, but as I have Aiden by my side, it’s now become secluded and romantic. Like a couple of kids, we enter the gates and instinctively head to the swings. The seats are close enough together for our hands to stay clasped as we talk about travelling the world and making a bucket list of countries to visit, but after some time the conversation turns to our immediate future.
“I can’t imagine Luke as a dad, but then again, he’s not getting any younger.” We both smile as silence surrounds us and Aiden sinks deeper into thought.
Tugging at his hand I ask, “What is it?”
“I was just thinking about you and me and what we do next.”
“What do you want to happen?” I ask, not in hope, but with excitement. I’m sure our future is going to be amazing, but I want to hear it from his lips.
“The whole package, a home, family, the lot.”
A contented smile crosses my lips. “Me too.”
Aiden’s tone drops. “I’ll never lie to you Victoria,” he says as if I needed confirmation. “What you see is what you get, and in my case, you see an over-worked doctor with a mortgage and bills to pay. I don’t have piles of money stacked away and my Oyster card gets me around town. There are no fancy cars or penthouse suites, but what I have in spades, is passion for the life I want to share with you. I’ll be the best man I can for you, andbecauseof you.”
His explanation was unnecessary. I knew all of this already. To witness how much he cares for me, for the people around him and his community is incredible. Aiden is not only awe-inspiring and admirable, he is now mine.
Tears of sheer happiness flow a steady line down my cheek. “I don’t want a millionaire, just a good man with no hidden agenda and someone who can give me some kind of normality. I think you’re all those things.”
Slowly, he stands and pulls me up from the swing, instantly positioning me in exactly the right spot to take my lips. “I hope I live up to your expectations,” he smiles, “but you can be sure I’ll keep you safe from anyone or anything that might hurt you.” His eyes search mine, then he leans in closer, tilting his head. His lips carefully press against my own, and for a while, I forget everything else. When we break apart, I run my fingers over his shoulders, along his lean arms and down to where his hands take mine.
