Chapter 44
|
The morning after the holiday, the house was quiet. The leftovers were neatly packed in the fridge, and a gentle snow was falling outside the massive living room windows, dusting the indoor jungle of my terracotta room with a soft, reflected white light.
I sat on the plush rug in front of the stone fireplace, drinking a cup of hot coffee, wrapped in a thick wool blanket. Lucas was sitting on the sofa behind me, reading an architectural digest, occasionally reaching down to run his fingers soothingly through my hair.
"Lucas," I said softly, staring into the flickering orange flames.
"Yeah, Maya?" he replied, setting the magazine down.
"Do you remember when we first started dating?" I asked, pulling my knees to my chest. "And I told you that I never wanted to have children. Because I was absolutely terrified that the generational trauma was in my blood. That I would somehow become my mother."
Lucas slid off the sofa, coming to sit on the rug beside me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.
"I remember," Lucas said gently. "And I told you that I loved you, and that whatever you decided, you were enough for me."
"I know," I smiled, leaning my head against his chest. "But I’ve spent the last three years healing people. I’ve healed Chloe. I’ve healed my business. Most importantly, I’ve healed myself. I don't feel that fear anymore, Lucas. The trauma stops with me. It didn't infect my blood; it just made me stronger."
Lucas looked down at me, his eyes searching my face, a slow, beautiful hope beginning to dawn in his expression. "Maya... what are you saying?"
May you like
"I'm saying," I whispered, reaching up to touch his face, "that I think I'm ready. I want to start a family with you. I want to bring a child into this beautiful, peaceful sanctuary we built."
Tears instantly welled in Lucas's eyes. He didn't say a word. He just pulled me into a fierce, passionate kiss, holding me as if I was the most precious, sacred thing in the entire universe.
