Sunlight filled the room. Curled beside him, her head tucked beneath his chin, Ivy lay with one hand wedged between her cheek and the fluff of a pillow. The other rested on the side of his neck, her fingers tangled gently in his hair. Her palm lightly cupped the corded muscles leading to his bandaged shoulder. Sebastian drank in the sweet beauty of his wife, reflecting on how he nearly lost her.

And how close she’d come to losing him.

Drifting in and out of consciousness, for God knows how long, Sebastian knew Ivy rarely left his side. Maybe he dreamed everything else, including her confession of love, but whenever his eyes opened, day or night, she was there.

While he contemplated the possibilities of a miracle, Ivy’s fingers curled, drawing his attention. She stared up at him, smiling that radiantly beautiful smile that always stole his breath.

"Hello,” she murmured, green-blue eyes sparkling.

Sebastian’s heart swelled, nearly bursting with gratitude. Nothing could be as lovely as his wife at that moment. He was alive and she was smiling at him. He wanted to kiss every single golden freckle on her beautiful nose simply because he could. He wanted to shout his love from the rooftops of London. Twice now, he cheated death, given another chance to prove his worth. Never would he squander such a precious gift again.

"Hello.” Realizing he held his breath, Sebastian released it slowly. There was so much to say, so many questions to ask. He did not know where to begin. One of the last awful memories of that night was of Rachel screaming, the antique butterfly brooch protruding from her forearm like a glittery, vengeful dagger. The other was Ivy kissing him, weeping while life leaked from his body to stain the floor black.

A wave of weakness surged over him when he attempted to sit up. “Thank God, you are safe…"

Ivy laid a finger to Sebastian’s lips, gently shushing him. With a tiny shake of her head, her hand curved along his jaw, the unshaven stubble rough against her palm. She gave him a quick kiss, then slid from the bed. With quick, efficient movements, she assisted in caring for his basic needs; a drink of cool water, tooth powder on his toothbrush. As he rinsed his mouth she held a basin for him, handing over a clean cloth moistened with soap to wipe the grime of the sickroom from his skin. She fluffed the pillows behind his head before climbing back up alongside him, cuddling close as if unable to bear parting from him.

Sebastian grinned at his wife’s foresight. He felt much more like himself.

"Before you ask what occurred, I must tell you something. Something I should have told you long ago.” Ivy’s fingers lightly traced Sebastian's chin before drifting to the angles of his cheekbones. She swept back the lock of raven hair that was forever tumbling into his eyes and biting her lower lip, gathered her words. "I love you, Sebastian. I love you with all of my heart and soul and being. I have loved you from the moment you kissed me on that piano bench and I have never stopped loving you. Even when I hated you,” she laughed ruefully, "even when I cursed you, which I have often, I loved you.”

Sebastian placed his hand in the curve of her waist, masterfully hiding the grimace of pain the movement caused his injured shoulder. But he must touch her. She drew him like a moth to candlelight. If his arms fell off his body, he would still find a way to hold her. Ivy sighed, moving closer, her eyes never leaving his.

"I should have told you I loved you the day you rescue me from Basford. You hurt me, and I did not trust you not to hurt me again. But, I still loved you. Perhaps things would have gone differently had I just admitted it.” Ivy pursed her lips, recalling the unpleasantness of their time in London. “I hate myself for not trusting you. I hate that I did not trust you to take care of me.” Her finger traced his cheek. “Had I not pushed you away, Rachel would have been unable to do what she did.”

Ivy gave a quick accounting of his aunt’s actions and the reasons for it, the truth of Timothy’s death.

Sebastian’s jaw tightened. His hands shook with anguish and anger. “I’m so sorry, my darling. I should have sent her away at once. It is my fault you were in danger, my blind arrogance that nearly cost your life.”

“It is the past now. If we are to move on to our future, we must keep it in our past.” Ivy said. “You almost died. Twice. I thought I would lose you. That you would not know how much you mean to me. I thought I would never see you laugh again, have you kiss me, hold me. I thought I would never bear your children.” She blushed, eyes sparkling. “And I do wish to have your children, Sebastian. Not because of silly things like duty or responsibility. No, there are far more important reasons. Love and hope and happiness. Sebastian, my beloved. My darling, my very heart.” Ivy smiled through her tears. "I love you beyond all reason. I always will.”

A mixture of relief and happiness rushed through Sebastian. He soared, around the world and back in an instant to this warm bed, his love by his side, her hand on his cheek. Burying his face in her fragrant hair, he knew the entire universe consisted of this tiny space between them and it was breathtakingly perfect.

"Ivy, you vexing, magnificent creature.” An exasperated groan escaped him. "It appears we both won the game we started.” He captured her lips, fusing their mouths in a tender kiss. It was a pledge to put aside the bitterness of yesterdays, a promise to focus on the future and the happiness to be found there. They would meet it together.

Ivy finally leaned back, eyes dancing with sultry promises. "I propose a new wager, dear husband. I shall leave the details to you, but should a divan appear as part of the bet, I won’t complain. Or perhaps the stream where I discovered stars shining in the bright light of day.” Her whisper turned mischievous, “Our wagers can be quite intriguing.”

Sebastian burst out laughing, his mind sparking with a thousand possibilities. “My love, I should like nothing better. Be forewarned, though. I do intend to let you win.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Ivy murmured, pulling his head to hers for another kiss.