Predestined Hearts

Pulling away from my nipple, his other hand moved down to my panties and dipped inside, causing me to arch my back in response.

“Oh, sweetheart, you’re ready.”

He sat back on his heels as he ripped apart my panties. The fabric tearing had my need climbing. Gael’s erection throbbed as he positioned himself over me, still not entering.

“You’re so beautiful. I wake up every morning and can’t believe I get to have you in my life. Ashlin …”

I blinked as I absorbed the words and felt things changing between us. Softly, I answered. “Yes.”

Gael looked at my face. “I love you. I’ve loved you since the first moment you became mine. Every day my love grows for you.”

The words came from my mouth easily, grateful for the freedom. “I’ve loved you for awhile now, but was too afraid to admit it. I love you, Gael.”

With my words, he entered me and stilled as his mouth came down to mine. “I’ll never stop loving you, Ashlin. You’re my forever.”

Those words were similar to what he had spoken to me in my bedroom two months ago. “Gael, you’re my forever, too.”

We moved together, reveling in our bodies being together in a way that only true lovers could experience. The pace quickened and my grip on Gael tightened as my release peaked and we both cried out, “I love you!” at the same time.

Gael rolled off of me and pulled me to him. Satiated, I laid my head on Gael’s chest and listened to his heartbeat slow. I murmured, “I think I could stay like this forever. This is one of those moments where everything seems perfect, you know?”

“I do know.”

We laid in silence as the fire crackled and Gael pulled a blanket on top of us.

Fingers trailed up and down my back. Introspectively, he spoke, “It feels good to tell you I love you. I’ve been debating on when the perfect time would be and it never came. Tonight, when you wanted to move forward, it felt right.”

Nuzzling deeper into him, I said, “I’ve been debating when to say it for awhile, too. It was perfect. I love you, Gael.”

“I love you, too. More than words can express.”

Gael always had a way of taking things and making them more romantic.

More time passed, “What are we going to do tonight?”

He squeezed me to him. “It’s been awhile since we’ve read the journal. I thought I could read to you again while we witnessed Daniel keeping his promise to his true love. Seemed kind of fitting.”

Being caught up in Gael and life, I realized how long it had been since we’d read. I longed to hear Sophia’s words. Thinking back, I had longed for something like she had—a true love. Now, I had it and I knew what it felt like. There was nothing in this world I could imagine topping this moment. “Oh, I’d love that. I can’t believe it’s been so long. I’ve missed reading about them.”

Gael leaned up and grabbed the journal off the nearby sofa table. We resumed our positions and I listened to my love read to me.

RUNNING INTO THE parlor I looked for the telegram. Seeing it, I picked it up and made my way to Chester. It was addressed to him and it would have been rude for me to rip into it and read it. My head was spinning. I couldn’t wait to write and tell Danny I felt the baby moving this evening. Our baby. She had been moving about all evening and the whole time I thought it had been my nerves. Placing my hand over my stomach, I smiled as Irene walked up and stood next to me.

It was in that moment, I wondered why it was Chester’s brother who sent the letter and not Danny.

Chester began reading it and the more he read, the more I had a sick feeling wash over my body. His face lost all of its color. Irene grabbed my hand and held it so tightly it felt as if she would break my fingers at any moment.

Dropping the letter down to his side, Chester whispered, “What have I done? Dear God, what have I done?”

Confusion ripped through my body as I turned to Irene. “What’s wrong? Has something happened to Danny?” Snapping my head back to Chester, I sucked in a breath of air. His body was overcome with sobs.

Shaking my head, I took a few steps back. “What is going on? Chester? You’re scaring me.”

A sharp pain raced through my lower stomach.

Danny’s father’s eyes found mine. I saw his tear fall and I placed both hands over my mouth. I felt sick.

Something happened to Danny.