Page 19 of Kneeling for Them

“Now,” I say, “take off your coat.”

“Is this the punishment part of the evening?”she asks, looking a little too eager.

“Not yet,” I say, standing up and grabbing a shopping bag from behind the sofa.Without a word, I hand it to Ella.

“What is it?”she asks.

“Open it and see.”

Looking quietly pleased, she opens the bag and reaches inside, then pulls out the light blue puffer coat I ordered for her.

“It’s…you got me a coat,” she says.

“I told you, we like to take care of you,” I say.

“Try it on,” Sebastian says.

She pulls it on.“It fits perfectly.It’s so warm and soft.”

The shiny sleeves embrace Bash and me at the same time as she says thank you over and over again, her eyes tearing up even more.We take turns kissing her, and I feel, finally, that all might turn out all right in the world.

“Now,” I say, trailing a finger over her throat and down to the neckline of her t-shirt, “about those consequences.”

Sebastian

I watch you sleeping

Your fists clenched at your chin.

Always a fighter

Winding me tighter

Baby girl, I fight to win.

My heart’s on the line

I’m watching for signs

I’m placing my bet

I’m pulling ahead.

I said we don’t keep secrets

As I dove into your sweetness.

There’s always a risk,

Always a risk,

But baby, this fight was fixed.

Five

Sebastian

Everything’s perfect.