Page 44

V iolet tucked herself deeper into the warmth of her blanket while Nicholas sat across from her. It was a quiet evening, the kind she usually cherished, but tonight her heart felt unusually full.

Spending evenings like this had become one of her favorite things to do with Nicholas. It had been a few weeks since they had admitted their feelings for one another, and their connection had grown so much since.

A book rested open in Nicholas’ hands though from the way his eyes kept lifting to glance at her, Violet doubted he was paying much attention to it. She smiled softly to herself, the domesticity of the moment both comforting and unfamiliar.

This is nice, she thought to herself.

“Is it any good?” she finally broke the silence, nodding toward the book in his hands.

He raised a brow, “That depends. Are you asking because you’re curious or because you wish to distract me?”

“Can it not be both?” she teased, her voice light as she adjusted the blanket around her shoulders.

Nicholas let out a low chuckle. “It’s tolerable,” he admitted, closing the book and setting it aside. “Though I must say, your taste in novels is … enlightening.”

Violet laughed at that. “You’re the one who insisted on reading it. I warned you it wasn’t your usual fare.”

“I thought I should better acquaint myself with your interests,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “But I must admit, I did not expect the hero to be so… dramatic.”

“Dramatic?” she repeated, feigning offense. “He’s passionate.”

“Passionate. Is that what they’re calling it these days?”

“Yes, he acts as heroes in love must,” she admitted grinning. “Wait till you get to the part where he thinks he is losing her.”

This seemed to pique his curiosity. “Oh? And what does he do then?”

“I have a feeling that you’ll be able to…” A teasing smile formed on her lips. “… relate.”

“You think I acted the same way?”

“I think you acted as a man in love would when you saw me with the Duke of Devonshire,” she laughed. “So, yes, I would use the word passionate for you, too.”

Nicholas took a moment to absorb her words. He was quiet for so long afterwards that it made Violet begin to worry.

“Have I said something wrong?”

“No,” he began slowly, as if choosing his words carefully. “I am just not used to having such words used to describe me.”

Violet laughed out loud. “Well, it’s quite endearing if you ask me. It’s what I always hoped for.”

“Then I should be happy that it worked in my favour.” He winked at her, the depth of the moment having passed and going back to his teasing ways.

She rolled her eyes though her smile remained. “That it did.”

“You must give me some credit,” he said, gesturing broadly. “Reading one of your beloved romance novels by the fire on a quiet evening like this. If that doesn’t make me the ideal husband, I don’t know what will.”

Violet’s cheeks flushed at his words though she quickly looked away, pretending to adjust the blanket again.

It did. Oh, it did. He wasn’t the exact Prince Charming that she had always dreamed of. He was much better.

“Ideal might be a stretch,” she teased instead.

Nicholas leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he studied her. “You wound me, Violet. Truly.”

Before she could reply, Nicholas reached for the book again, flipping through its pages.

“Let’s see what your true ideal is like then,” he said, scanning the text. “Ah, here we are. The hero declares his undying love for the heroine as he pulls her into a dramatic embrace.”

Violet laughed, her eyes sparkling as she watched him. “It’s supposed to be romantic.”

Nicholas smirked, glancing up at her. “Or is it entirely unrealistic?”

“That depends,” she countered, tilting her head. “Have you ever declared your undying love for someone?”

“Only you,” he admitted.

It was amazing how far he had come. The same man who would shrink away from even the mention of love had now taken to it with ease. Almost as though he had been capable of it the entire time.

The thought warmed her heart.

As Nicholas read aloud from the novel, his deep voice filling the room, Violet allowed herself to relax once more. She found herself watching him more than listening, her gaze tracing the lines of his face, the way his brow furrowed slightly as he concentrated.

When he reached a particularly tender passage, Nicholas hesitated, his eyes lifting from the page to meet hers.

“He kisses her, but it is not out of desire alone. No, it is much deeper . He needs to show her that she is his world.”

The room seemed to hold its breath as his words lingered in the air.

“Is this the sort of thing that you find romantic?” he asked suddenly. Violet felt the weight of his gaze fall solely on her.

“I suppose I do,” she admitted. “Who wouldn’t? He has admitted that she is his world.”

Nicholas didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he closed the book and set it aside, rising from his chair to move toward her. She watched him with wide eyes, her heart pounding as he knelt before her, his hands resting gently on her knees.

“Very insightful.”

“Have you come to ask me more questions?” she asked, her cheeks flushing from the close proximity between them.

“Perhaps. Do you trust me?” His voice was low.

She nodded, suddenly unable to form words.

“Then let me show you something,” he said, his lips curving into a faint smile.

Nicholas’ gaze never wavered as he leaned closer. Violet’s breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding as she felt the heat of his proximity. He paused just a hair’s breadth away, his voice soft.

“Do you remember the moment in the book when the hero kissed her?”

Violet nodded, and her pulse quickened, anticipation thrumming through her veins.

“And do you remember why he did it?”

She blinked, her mind struggling to recall the words. “To… to show her how much she meant to him…”

Nicholas smiled faintly. “Exactly. Now, let me show you the same.”

Before she could respond, his lips brushed against hers in a kiss so gentle it felt like a whisper. Violet’s breath hitched, her hands clutching the edge of the blanket as the world around them seemed to fade away.

It was just she and he in the world at that moment. Nothing else seemed to matter.

When he finally pulled back, his gaze was softer than she’d ever seen it.

“You… you surprised me,” Violet admitted.

“Good,” Nicholas said, his voice steady but filled with warmth. “I meant to. Now, wasn’t that romantic?”

She laughed softly, a happy sound. “It was. You’re not usually so bold.”

Nicholas smirked, leaning back on his heels but keeping his eyes locked on her. “Perhaps you bring it out in me.”

Violet’s heart fluttered at his words though she quickly pushed the feeling aside. She shifted slightly, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders. “You’re full of surprises tonight, Nicholas.”

“And you’re not?” he countered, raising an eyebrow. “ You have been the biggest surprise of my life.”

“Meant to be then.” Violet smiled.

The room fell into a comfortable silence. But just as the quiet began to settle, Nicholas reached for her hand

“That we are,” he conceded. “Two opposites but made for each other.”

“You seem to be in a very affectionate mood tonight,” she observed.

Nicholas paused, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. “I have to make up for all the lost time I tried to keep fooling myself into thinking I could keep you at arm’s length.”

Her breath caught at his confession, her cheeks flushed. “Nicholas…”

“I thought I was protecting you by keeping my distance, but all I ever did was hurt you—and myself in the process.”

Violet’s throat tightened. “We do not have to speak about this. You know I have already forgiven you.”

Nicholas reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek. “I know. You’ve been kind enough to open your heart to me even after I pushed you away. I want to be the husband you deserve—the one you’ve always deserved.”

“Oh, Nicholas,” she whispered, her voice breaking. How could it not when he was being this tender? “You’ve always been more than enough for me, even when you were keeping your distance. You’re all I’ve ever wanted.”

“I love you,” he said finally, the words tumbling out in a rush. “You have taught me what it truly means to love.”

Violet let out a soft laugh, “And I love you. So much.”

The distance between them disappeared as they kissed again. It was short one but full of love. When they finally pulled apart, Nicholas rested his forehead against hers, his hands framing her face. “I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you,” he vowed. “Whatever it takes.”

Violet smiled through her tears, her hands resting over his. “You already have, Nicholas. Just promise me one thing.”

“Anything,” he said without hesitation.

“Promise me we’ll never let fear come between us again,” she said softly.

“I promise.”

The room felt lighter now, the weight of their confessions lifting the air between them. Nicholas pulled Violet closer, his arms wrapping around her as though he feared letting her go. She nestled against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

“You’re trembling,” Nicholas murmured after a moment, brushing his lips against her hair. “Are you cold?”

Violet shook her head. “No. I think I’m just… overwhelmed.”

Nicholas tilted her chin up gently, his eyes searching hers. “In a good way, I hope.”

“In the best way.”

In fact, Violet could not think of anything better.

“You know, since we have been on the topic of surprises tonight, I have one of my own. There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?” he asked immediately.

Violet bit her lip, her hands fidgeting nervously. “I wasn’t sure when the right time would be, but… now feels like the right moment.”

Nicholas waited, his eyes never leaving hers. He was giving her space without pushing her, despite his curiosity.

“I found out only this morning… and I wanted to tell you right away. But I was just waiting to do it when… oh, God, I’m rambling, aren’t I?” She paused, shaking her head to dispel the nervous energy that had just consumed her.

“You know you can tell me anything, Violet.”

That she could. Well, then there was no other choice but to come out and say it…

“I’m pregnant,” she blurted out finally.

For a moment, the words hung in the air, their weight sinking in slowly. Nicholas blinked, as though trying to process what she had just said.

“You’re…” He trailed off, his voice cracking slightly. “You’re with child?”

Violet nodded, her hands clutching his tightly. “Yes.”

Nicholas fell silent, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he broke into a smile—a genuine grin that lit up his entire face.

“You’re pregnant,” he repeated, his voice filled with wonder. “We’re going to have a child.”

Violet laughed, her own tears of joy spilling over. “Yes, Nicholas. We are.”

He let out a laugh, “You’ve just made me the happiest man alive,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Nicholas kissed her then, not just on her lips but across her face, her forehead, her cheeks, her nose. Violet giggled, swatting at him playfully. “Nicholas, stop! You’re going to make me cry.”

“Let me,” he said, his voice soft but insistent. “This is me showing you how much I love you.”

Violet’s laughter faded as she looked into his eyes, the depth of his love shining through. “I never doubted it. Not for a second. Even when you tried to push me away, I knew. Though my mind denied it, my heart always knew.”

“I don’t deserve you, Violet.”

“Yes, you do,” she replied firmly, cupping his face in her hands. “You always have.”

Nicholas leaned back, his hand resting gently on her still flat stomach. Soon, it was going to grow into a bump. Violet quivered in excitement at the thought.

“Our child,” he murmured. “Do you have any idea how happy you’ve made me?”

“I think I do because you’ve made me just as happy.”

“I’ll never make you unhappy again,” he vowed. “Whatever it takes, I’ll make it right.”

“You already have,” Violet whispered against his lips. “But if you want to keep trying, I won’t stop you.”

He laughed softly, the sound rumbling through his chest. “What have I done to deserve you?” he asked again.

“Plenty,” she teased this time, “but if you really want to make it up to me, I have a few ideas.”

“Oh?” Nicholas raised an eyebrow. “Do tell, Violet.”

Violet leaned in close, “For one, I think we’ll need to redecorate the nursery.”

Nicholas laughed, pulling her close once more. “Anything you want, my love. Anything at all. At this point, you could ask me to walk to the edge of the world, and I would do it.”

The future was wonderfully bright. They were wrapped into their own little cocoon of love—just talking and laughing.

Nicholas pressed a kiss to Violet’s forehead, his voice soft in the quiet of the room. “We’ll face it all together, Violet. Whatever comes, we’ll face it together.”

“Together,” she echoed, her voice steady with conviction.

And for the first time in a long while, neither of them felt alone.

The End?