Kane

When I eventually move back, Danny has gone, and the bouquet of flowers is sitting in a trash can. Everyone is laughing and going back to work. I meet Seb’s eyes, and he gives me a wry smile and turns to tell security they’re not going to be needed after all.

I look down at Elen, at her shining eyes, and my heart swells.

“Come with me,” she says, and she takes my hand and leads me toward the elevator.

We ride the carriage down, not saying much, and then she takes me out of the building. Slowly, holding hands, we walk the length of the street, then take the turn toward the river. The rain has stopped, and the wind is whipping red and gold leaves around our legs.

“You okay?” I ask eventually.

She nods. “Just wanted to get out for a bit.” She looks across the river, at the ducks beneath the willow, which is leaning over and trailing its fingers in the water like Ophelia.

Elen stops and turns to face me. “You set me free,” she says. Her eyes are filled with wonder.

I’m not quite sure what she means, but I’m happy to play a part in her revelation. “I think you’ve been free for a while, but maybe you’ve only just looked down and seen that the chains have vanished.”

“Maybe.” She smiles. “You have a lovely way of saying things. You have a poet’s heart.”

“I’ll take that.”

She kisses me, then moves back to look into my eyes again. “I meant what I said. I want to be with you, Kane. Nothing else matters.”

I cup her face. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m the best version of myself when I’m with you. A wise man told me that is the definition of true love.”

I brush her cheeks with my thumbs. I feel almost tearful. “I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m sorry about what happened with Jen,” she tells me. “What she did… It was unforgivable. I want you to know that I will never do that to you. If this relationship goes well, and we decide between us in the future that we would like a family, we’ll work together to try to find a way to make it happen. But together is the operative word, and you need to know that I will always listen to your views, and I’d never make you do anything you didn’t want to do.”

I nod, swallowing hard. “Thank you for saying that. I appreciate you taking time to think about it, even though we’ve only been going out a short time. It’s very early on, and I’m sure it’s far too soon to be talking about forever and families. But…” I hesitate, not wanting to push her too far.

“Tell me,” she murmurs, her eyes shining.

I kiss her. “Being with you has made me realize how wrong things had gone with Jen. How I feel with you… it’s so bright, as if we’re living in Technicolor, and everything in the past has been in black and white. I love you. I don’t care that we haven’t known each other long. I’m in love with you, and I already know that I want to marry you.”

Her eyes widen, and her lips part. “Oh!”

“I’ve not felt this before,” I say, my voice husky, “this overwhelming urge to… I don’t know… possess, I suppose. I want to make you mine. I want to tell all the other guys in the world that you belong to me. And if you want children… I want to do my best to make it happen. I don’t care what tests I have, or how many rounds of IVF it takes. I’d love to make a child with you.”

Her lips tremble, and she presses them together.

“I know it’s a bit intense,” I tell her. “And I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about it now. We can take as much time as we want before we settle down and get serious. But I just wanted you to know that I’ll be happy to start as soon as you’re ready. I’ve never seen it in my future before, but I can see it now, and it makes me so happy, Elen, I can’t describe it to you.”

A tear tumbles over her lashes. “Oh my God, stop before I start bawling like a five-year-old,” she pleads.

“You’ll make a beautiful mum,” I murmur.

I kiss her several times, enjoying the feel of her soft lips beneath mine, then I have to spend a moment kissing away her tears.

“I’m so lucky you came into that bar the other night,” she says. “I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t met you.”

“You’d have survived.” I tuck her hair behind her ear. “You’re a born fighter--a warrior princess.”

“That’s possibly the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

“It’s true. You’re strong, Elen. The strongest woman I know. I’m so proud of you for everything you’ve achieved at your job. I can see the way you hold all the guys together, and that you’re the driving force behind Hearktech’s success. And you do it all without looking for the glory and the praise.”

“I love the way you see me,” she says, trying to laugh. “Your spectacles aren’t just rose-tinted--they’re practically fuchsia.”

“Laugh all you like. It’s the truth.”

“My God,” she whispers, “you have got it bad.”

“I have. Cupid fired his tiny arrow and it landed right here.” I press a hand to my heart. Then I slide my arms around her again. “I’m crazy about you, Elen Wright. Tell me you’ll be my forever girl.”

She gives a tiny shrug. “I’ll think about it.” Then her lips curve up, and she kisses me again. “Okay, I’ve thought about,” she murmurs against my mouth, “and the answer is yes.”