Page 33 of Queen
And there was the added benefit that he would no longer be Ella's teacher.
"I’ll have to take some time to consider it. And, of course, to discuss it with the Empress."
"Of course," Maria said pleasantly. "Take the week, and let us know when you come to a decision."
Sterling exchanged a few pleasantries with her before hanging up. He finished his work, but he was on autopilot for the rest of the day. By the time he was done, he didn't even have time to go back to the house first to see Ella and the baby. Instead, he’d have to go straight home to change into his tux and then go directly to the gala celebrating Luna’s birth.
When he arrived, the parking lot outside the building was already packed. There were lights strung up all around the exterior, and the sound of merry chatter coming from inside was welcome in comparison to the chaos that had characterized the last colony event. Everyone was dressed in the usual finery, and seemed to be in good spirits.
It was the first hint of normalcy they’d all had as a colony since the revelation of Natalia's betrayal, and a much-needed celebration.
Sterling scanned the room, realizing Ella hadn't arrived yet. She would probably be coming in through the front entrance, so he left the main room and went out to search for her in the lobby.
The sounds of a baby crying plucked the familiar strings in his heart that he had never quite imagined would be there. He smiled as he saw Ella sitting by the door, holding the newborn in her arms. Ella had worn her hair down in cascading white curls, and her violet gown made her emerald eyes stand out even more than usual. They filled with warmth as they met Sterling’s, and all the stress of the day faded away as he walked over to join her.
"Who do I need to scold for abandoning you?" he asked, only half joking as he leaned down to kiss Ella.
Ella laughed. "Axel is on his way, and Bishop is in the kitchen getting me a wet towel since someone spit up on her dress."
Sterling couldn't help but laugh. The baby had stopped crying when he came over. Now, she was cooing up at him happily. He took her from Ella's arms and gazed adoringly down at the infant. "She looks lovely, in any case. Just like her mother."
Ella's face flushed, and he was never going to get tired of the sight of it. "How was work?"
"Boring," he admitted. "I find it quite tedious without my problem students giving me a challenge."
Ella caught the twinkle in his eye and laughed, leaning into him. "Well, I'll be back soon enough, and Axel will get bored of doing his work at home eventually."
Somehow, Sterling doubted that. There never seemed to be enough minutes to spend with Ella and Luna. Every day went by so quickly. He warred with himself over whether to tell her about the phone call he'd gotten, but he decided against it. Tonight was about Luna, and welcoming her into the colony. He could worry about work later.
"What is it?" Ella asked, her keen eyes searching his face. Sterling had never been one to wear his heart on his sleeve, but Ella always seemed to know what he was thinking somehow.
"Nothing important," he assured her.
"If it’s affecting you this much, it’s important to me."
"Ella..." he sighed.
She set her mouth in a firm line, and he knew he’d lost the argument.
"Brightly University called to offer me the Dean's position."
Ella's eyes grew wide. "The what?" she asked excitedly. "Of course it's a big deal! Are you going to take it?"
He hesitated. "It's a wonderful job, and it would be closer to you and Luna…I also wouldn't be your teacher anymore."
Ella's expression shifted, and he could tell she was having the same mixed reaction he had. "I’ll miss you… But I would much rather have you at home as my mate than at school as my professor."
"It would still be a scandal," he warned her.
"It would hardly be the first of my reign, and I'm sure it won’t be the last," Ella said dismissively. "For once, it would just be something worth letting people talk about."
Sterling wasn't sure how to respond. He wasn’t used to being touched by words, but Ella's always had a way of breaking past his defenses and making him feel things he never had before. "Are you sure?"
She gazed up at him with unmistakable love in her eyes. "There's been so much this past couple of years that I haven't been sure of, but you…My feelings for you were never one of them. I love you, and I want you at my side just like Bishop and Axel. Not just as an advisor, but as my mate. As Luna’s father."
Sterling looked back down at the infant in his arms, his throat growing tight with emotion. "I want that, too. More than anything."
"I couldn't find any club soda, but let's see if this works," Bishop announced abruptly, striding into the lobby with a handful of paper towels. "Oh, hey, Sterling."
