"Thank you," I whisper.
"For what?"
"For coming back.For protecting me.For..."I stop, unable to find words big enough."Just thank you."
He kisses my forehead, gentle and lingering."Always."
Footsteps approach.Chloe appears first.She takes one look at us and smiles."Told you he'd come back."
"Yeah."My voice is rough from crying."You did."
Ailbhe drapes a blanket around my shoulders even though I'm not cold.Just comfort.Just care.
"You alright?"Gráinne asks Tank.She’s in nurse mode."You look like shite."
"Feel like shite," he admits.
"Good fight though?"This from Caoimhe, surprisingly.
"Good enough."
They don't ask for details, don’t push.Just accept that it's done and we're both here and that's enough.
"Come on," Devin says quietly to me."Let's get you some rest."
I nod and the ladies leave us be, giving me a gentle smile as they leave.Devin walks me over to the bed and I pull him down onto it with me.Not sexual.I just need him close.I need to feel him breathing and to know he's really here.
We lie facing each other, his arm around my waist, my hand on his chest over his heart.
"I don't know how to live without fear," I whisper into the quiet.
"Then you learn, baby,” he says."And I'll be right beside you."
"What if I can't?"
"You can.You're stronger than you think."
"I don't feel strong."
"Because you're exhausted.But you are.You left him and you built a life, all the while raising Warren and keeping him safe.That's strength."
I'm quiet for a long moment, just listening to his heartbeat under my palm.Steady.Strong.Alive.
"Stay," I whisper.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"No.I mean...stay.With me.Not just tonight.But...stay."
He goes very still."Enya..."
"I know it's fast.I know we barely know each other.But I don't care.I want you to stay."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah.I'm sure."
He presses his forehead to mine again.“I wasn’t going anywhere."
