“Congratulations, my love,” Ben said as he drew Amelia down to sit on the small couch in the room.
It was just the two of them. Shiloh had kept Riley with her, knowing Amelia would need to rest after the strain of the past few days.
“That was all Bethany’s doing,” Amelia said with an exhausted sigh. “She was amazing.”
“You know it wasn’t just her. That was the result of a great team effort. The program you choreographed was perfect for her.”
Amelia relaxed back against the cushions of the couch, then tilted her head to look at him. The excitement and focus from earlier had gone, replaced by stark exhaustion.
“I’m tired.”
Ben reached out to touch her cheek. “Let me start a shower for you, then you can sleep.”
She gave him a weary smile. “Thank you.”
Ben got to his feet, then bent to press a kiss to her forehead. He went into the large marble bathroom and turned on the shower.
For the next half hour, Ben helped Amelia shower and then change into her comfiest pajamas. He made sure she had something to eat, then tucked her into bed.
“You’re so good to me,” she murmured.
“And you’re good to me,” Ben reminded her.
These were the moments when she was keenly aware of the weight of her limitations and the burden she felt they put on him.
“I’m so—”
Ben leaned over and silenced her apology with a kiss. “I’m right where I want to be. And I’m with who I want to be with. You. Always you. Only you.”
Amelia’s smile was small, but it sparkled in her eyes. “Only you.”
“I guess we’re a perfect pair then.”
Amelia lifted her hand and threaded it through his curls. “We are. I know we are. Just sometimes… my body…”
“Gets the best of you,” Ben finished. “I understand. Just never doubt my love and devotion to you. God knew you were who I needed in my life. Who I needed to love and be loved by.”
Ben stretched out beside her, linking his fingers with hers, aware that holding her when her body was worn out and in pain could hurt her more than it helped.
They talked for a bit about the competition, then Ben said, “Do you want me to have Shiloh bring Riley in?”
“Yes, please. And her books.”
Ben sent a quick message to Shiloh, and within a couple of minutes, Shiloh had let herself into the room with her keycard. She neared the bed with a gentle smile.
“What an amazing competition,” Shiloh said as she set Riley on the end of the bed.
Riley crawled up the mattress to settle between Ben and Amelia. Shiloh handed over a small bag that contained all of Riley’s favorite books.
“Thanks, Shi,” Amelia said.
“Anytime.” She walked around the side of the bed to lean over and give Amelia a kiss on her cheek. “Call me when you want me to come get her.”
“Hi, Mama. Hi.” Riley patted Amelia’s cheek. “Hi.”
“Hi, baby. Want a story?”
Riley reached for the bag. Ben helped her open it and pulled the books out. She picked out one—her current favorite—and handed it to Ben.
