Still Falling

by Costa, Bella

  “Afraid of what? Hurting the baby?”

  “Afraid you will run again.” There, he said it.

  Serena struggled upright and sat cross legged on the bed cover. She pulled a pillow onto her lap and hugged it to her for comfort and protection. Looking down at the weave on the bed covers fabric.

  “Marco. I heard you talking to the Gabrielle when she snuck my dress onto the rails” She started somewhat shakily. “I heard what you said to her when you found out it was mine. That hurt me more than anything in the world. I knew then you didn’t love me and never would.” As she said it the tears brimmed her eyes again and one escaped, burning a trail down her flushed cheek.

  “Oh God is that what this has been about?” He stared at her in astonishment. “All these years of punishment and pain!” He wiped the tear off her jaw with a gentle thumb before it could fall from her forlorn face.

  Marco climbed off the bed and Serena watched him fearfully, worried he was going to leave. He picked up a thin silver chain that sat in a small dish next to his bed along with his watch, wallet and phone.

  Marco fingered the chain looking at it uncertainly, and sat back down on the bed.

  “Serena, that day you disappeared.....do you remember what we had planned for that night?” He searched her eyes.

  Serena shook her head. Her memory wouldn’t allow her past hearing his words then running.

  “We had dinner plans. Serena I was going to ask you to marry me at dinner that night.”

  She looked at him incredulously.

  Huh?

  “But you were shouting at Gabrielle about my dress about how you wouldn’t use it because it was mine.....”

  “Serena, I was trying to get it through to Gabrielle’s thick stubborn skull that I wanted you to wear your dress for me on our wedding day. That’s why I wouldn’t let it be included in the Line. It was, it is, a beautiful dress Serena.”

  “So you did love me?”

  “God woman, I have loved you my whole life. So much that sometimes I wish I didn’t. You have torn me upside down and inside out. When I thought you didn’t want me.....and then when I thought that boy had made you pregnant...... and then the thought that you had gone through an abortion......” His own eyes started to water and he squeezed them tight, before opening then again. They were glowing now. Serena stared back, speechless and captured.

  “Then that night at the Hyatt when you fell into my arms again and fell right back out again.” His eyes were red with emotion. “Serena will you marry me, and have my children?” He held out the thin chain. Dangling at the end was a ring with a perfect, simple, diamond.

  Um.

  Serena couldn’t think. Her mind was desperately trying to process everything she had just learned.

  He watched her, desperation oozing through his soul, fear gripping his heart in long taut fingers. Serena blinked at him. Her lips slightly apart, and her breathing strangled. He watched with ice forming in his veins as her bottom lip trembled slightly.

  Very slowly her gaze altered and Serena nodded. Overcome with relief he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her deeply. Desire crept its way up from the depths and they were both lost in each other again.

  Serena watched her fiancés face as he slept beside her. The storm outside had passed and morning had arrived in full glorious sunlight, shining brilliantly through an open curtain. Marco looked so relaxed, even smiling softly in his sleep. She ran her finger across the small dressing on his forehead, then careful not to wake him she combed her fingers through the tousled waves that rested on his brow. She realised now she had never stopped loving this man. Even when he had made her angry or scared. Next to the dressing, the small bump and gone down and a small blue bruise sat in its place. An unfamiliar sensation stirred in her belly and her hand flew to her little bump. Suddenly her eyes flew wide open and she gasped in realisation a huge grin splitting her face.

  “Well I had no idea you would be that happy to see me in the morning!” Marco grinned lazily as he woke and reached for her.

  Ignoring his teasing she grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly. “The baby moved. That was the first time.” His face lit up in wonder as he caresses the small mound.

  “So both of you are happy to see me in the morning. The day is looking up!” With the sexiest smile she had ever seen, his hand moved south and her heart sang.

  Suddenly commotion broke out down stairs and loud voices could be heard filtering up through the floor.

  Shit. Mom, Jo, the boys! They’ll be worried.

  “Okay, there is world of people including my mother are looking for me right now and are probably worried sick. Who’s going to do all the explaining?”

  Marco smiled and kissed her. “Judging by the noise, I think it might take all three of us to calm that lot down. Safety in numbers?”

  “Chicken!” she laughed and the three of them dressed to face the inquisition.