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Chapter Forty-Two

“Y ou’ve got love on the brain, Marlee Rose.” Arna was sitting in my living room, Marlee’s head on her lap as they watched another movie where a couple fought the whole time until declaring their undying love for each other in the final two minutes. I wasn’t sure how women watched this shit, but having Arna here made Marlee smile a lot more than she had over the last few days and I would put up with their film choices for that alone. I’d also put up with my apartment being a revolving door of visitors as Mum, Toby and Eva, Brad and Sofi, Arna and her nan, Felicity, Andy, Jack and Jay all made multiple visits to deliver food, Hearts memorabilia and baked goods among other gifts. I had never hosted so many people, but I would do it daily just to see the way Marlee’s face lit up at the showering of love bestowed upon her.

Marlee and Arna wiped their tears, again appearing surprised that the couple, who we all knew were destined for each other from the opening thirty seconds of the film, wound up in a messy heap of kisses and fake laughter.

“How could you not when you get to watch a movie with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston and they fall in love. It’s a recipe for success.”

Arna laughed as she straightened her legs and checked her phone.

“I’d rather read the book. I wish I could stay longer, but Andy will be here any minute and I need to shower before the game tonight. You going to watch?”

“Obviously. You suddenly think you’re the number one Hearts fan around here?” Marlee asked as Arna stood and stretched.

“Hearts and pizza on the couch, aren’t we, babe?” Marls said, pulling the blanket up to her chin and grinning at me.

I smiled back, unable to help myself. Fuck I loved her. She was adorable. How could I ever say no to her?

The bandage from above her eye was now gone, leaving a small red gash with stitches. Physically, she was back to herself, but I knew it would take her a while before she was able to go longer than a few minutes without remembering everything or the emotional toll the last few years had taken. From the little we knew, both Lucas and Lori would be spending a fair amount of time behind bars, but that didn’t ease the pain.

Arna had been over everyday since we came home from the hospital and she and Andy had brought all of Marlee’s things to my house.

I loved having her here and I was desperate to ask her to officially move in with me, even though it was practically already done, but I was worried it would scare her. Was it too soon? The doctor had told me when she felt fine, she was fine, but I still didn’t want to risk emotionally upsetting her.

“Sounds perfect,” I replied as I took the seat next to her.

“Okay, lovebirds, Andy’s here. See you tomorrow, Marls. Go Hearts.”

“Have fun tonight,” Marlee called as Arna shut the door behind her.

“Thank you.” Marlee’s head was on my chest, her finger drawing circles as she spoke.

“For putting up with your terrible choice in movies? You’re welcome,” I joked, my chest shaking when she lightly tapped my leg.

“No, idiot. I’m being serious. Thank you for saving me.” I wanted to joke, to make her smile, but the sincerity of her words stopped me. I rubbed her arm and pressed her into my chest feeling her smile.We hadn't really spoken about it all too much as she took time processing, but she thanked me a lot with little else to be said.

“I’ve always believed that people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime and with you, I’m certain it’s a lifetime.”

“These movies are making you sappy,” I kissed her forehead. “But maybe they’re rubbing off on me too,” I said, with a shrug of my shoulders. “Before you, I lived in a world of grey. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy but I wasn’t complete. I achieved my goals yeah, but there was no one to share it with. Then you came into the club with your sexy purple dress, those gorgeous green eyes and your huge heart full of sunshine and seeing you was like experiencing the warmth of colour for the very first time. You brought light into my world – light I didn’t think I needed and I don’t ever want to go back into the dark.”

“My thunderman,” she said affectionately, looking up at me.

“I love you, Marls. I think I’ve known that since the first night I met you, when you punched me in the stomach and ran.” I felt her body shake with suppressed laughter, her cheeks turning a shade of pink.

“I don’t want to live life without you. I want you to live here with me. I want this to be our home. I want to make you coffee and listen to you sing in the shower. I want you to be in my office while I work and fuck you against the glass. Whenever you’ll let me.”

Her smile reached her eyes as a single tear fell down her cheek. “You will always be mine, because only a fool would let you go.” I said before leaning down and kissing her. I was conscious of her injuries since I brought her home from the hospital and the knowledge was heavy on my mind and even though I deepened the kiss I stopped only before my dick got any harder than it already was. As I released her mouth she looked up at me, licking her lips.

“I love you too. I don’t think I’ve said that to you before, but I’ve known it. For a while actually. I love your coffee. I love your cooking. I love how thoughtful you are and I definitely love how you fuck me against the glass at Nexus.” I laughed, causing her to smile before she continued. “I love how thunderous you are but how you soften when it’s only us. I really am the sunshine in your life aren’t I?”

“You are overcast at best,” I said, laughing when she pouted. “But that’s okay, I like the dark.”

“Piss off,” she said, “I was trying to be romantic.”

“Ohhh, is that what that was,” I said, grinning when she softly hit my shoulder.

“But, I’m not broken, Seb, so you don’t need to treat me like a porcelain doll. Do you think you could do me a favour?”

“Anything,” I said instantly.

“Could you please take me to the bedroom, take off our clothes, and–” she squealed as I jumped up and scooped her into my arms, practically sprinting to the bedroom to make love to the only woman who would ever have my heart.