Page 88 of Things We Do for Love and Science
“I’ve missed you too, so much.” She pulled back, and her breath caught when he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers, tentatively at first, then searching, becoming ever more determined.
She allowed herself to savor him for a moment only before she stilled because she couldn’t do it. Unlike her dad, she wouldn’t grasp happiness without caring about the anguish it created for others.
She broke the kiss and pushed him away. The hurt in his eyes was like a physical blow. “We can’t. Vanessa...”
“Vanessa and I broke up,” he said. “There was no way to turn back the clock.”
Delia looked at him, wary but hopeful. “Isn’t there a way to turn back...for us?”
“No. I want to move forward.” He framed her face in his hands and fixed her with his blue gaze. “Delia, no more pretending this isn’t love.”
“No more pretending.” She shook her head. “Because I love you, Gabriel.”
Happiness brightened his face as he pressed her close. How could she have let this man go—twice?
For a few moments, they held one another, their breaths synchronizing, their heartbeats sharing one rhythm. She smiled as she thought of the third heartbeat, deep in her womb.
“Gabriel,” she murmured into his chest. “I’m sorry it took me so long to admit to myself that I love you. It kills me that I caused you so much pain.”
He cupped her jaw and brushed his lips over hers. “You were never cruel, just afraid. I must apologize for not trying hard enough to understand your reasons. Forgive me for making you feel broken and in need of fixing.”
She lifted her face to his. “Let’s forget about all that, shall we?”
He grasped her hand. “We have a lifetime to make up for our rocky start. But tell me what changed your mind?”
“I finally had to face the facts and adjust my working assumption accordingly. I always believed I didn’t need anybody. Brand new evidence strongly suggests I can’t live without you. So, we might as well get married. Private chapel if you please.”
He buried his hands in her hair and inhaled deeply. “My Delia, now and always.”
They shared a delicious silence, safe in their mutual love.
“You don’t have to marry me,” he began, “I only want us to—”
She put a finger to his lips. “No backtracking now, Gabriel. We’ll do it, big white dress, the whole nine yards. Don’t forget, our wedding pics will be great marketing material for Renwood Hall as an event location.”
“Delia.” He caught her eye, and they both giggled.
She sobered. “I still maintain marriage shouldn’t be the default proposition. It is a radical act, forsaking all others when there are so many others around. Only those should attempt it who are pretty sure they can withstand the lure of the ego, craving the attention of somebody new, and are willing to dive beneath the surface to discover the depth and brilliance of the other. Those who value the strength that is forged by facing and overcoming hardship together. But I will chance it, with you. Because I sense those qualities in you, and you call them forth in me.”
He brushed his hand along her spine. “This must be the loveliest proposal anyone ever received.”
“Better than ‘Would you like to be buried with my people?’” She tried to keep a straight face while he shook with laugher.
He touched his forehead to hers. “Much better.Somuch better.”
“And your answer is...?”
“Yes, of course. I wanted you ever since I pushed open my office door and came face to face with you–stance impatient, green eyes blazing. Never in my life have I been so overwhelmed.”
Pacified, she snuggled closer to him. “You also created quite an impression.” She paused. “But I’ll keep my name. I’ve published many scientific papers under Wright. I can’t be Cordelia Kirwan. It would get confusing. And also, feminism.”
“No problem, but,” he glanced at her, “I know you think hereditary titles are complete nonsense but would you still...?”
“Sure, I’ll be the Countess of Renwood if it’s important to you. But I won’t sink my plebeian money into your aristocratic walls. I’ll keep that for our kids. I’ll do everything else to help you, though. Even if that includes wearing a big frock to fancy charity balls.”
He smiled. “Don’t worry. I won’t cling unreasonably to Renwood Hall. I no longer need it to give me a place in this world because I have you. You’re my family now.” He placed his hand on her belly and met her gaze. “You, our little one, and all our future children.”
Tears gathered in her eyes as she returned his smile. “Which will come to a total number of three, maximum.”
