One and Only

Chapter Fifty-one

Instead of going directly back home to London, they decided to spend a few days visiting some friends of Thomas's in Nashville and after a short discussion, it was decided they would visit The Musical Petting Zoo which the children found fascinating because they got to interact with musical instruments and the people who played them.

Once finished there they moved to The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum that was right next door, by the time they had walked through the children were nodding off. They spent the rest of the evening in their hotel suite gearing up for the zoo, the next day.

"I'm proud of you," Desai said as she sat next to her husband on the bed.

He looked at her in confusion. "For what?"

"Not getting angry with –"

"Oh, my darlingest girl, I was beyond angry, but the way they were acting I held my tongue ... barely. I said what I had to say and I must say I do like the way you handled things. Good job, love." He gave her a fist bump.

She sighed, "I know I've been quiet and I'm sorry. I'm trying to process everything." She turned slightly to look at him. "When things like this happen it makes me wish that I had never met them not because I'm apathetic, but because it hurts. I love all of them."

"I know love," he pulled her closer kissing her temple. Placing light kisses along her hairline and down across to her mouth he reached her lips and captured them in a tender kiss that deepened until they were both breathless.

Shivers prickled her skin causing goosebumps to rise on her bare arms and legs despite the warmth that radiated off his body, he was always so warm and comforting. "I love you, Thomas. Thank you for everything you do for me and the children."

"You're mine, why would I not care for you?"

She shrugged and it made him realize that she was afraid. Afraid she would lose him. "Darling, look at me," he said as he tipped her chin up to look at him. "I'm not going anywhere. I love you." He grasped her hand and kissed each knuckle. "I knew – when I realized that it was love I felt for you – I knew I couldn't live without you. I've felt what it's like to be without you." He looked into her eyes. "I never want to feel that again. I know that there are going to be times when we cannot be together, that's just part of how my crazy life is, but you are still with me." He pointed to his heart then brushed a curl behind her ear. "I'm not going anywhere."

Wrapping her arms around his neck she kissed him as she whispered, "I love you with everything I have and I'm not going anywhere either."

"Sounds good to me," he said as his soft wet lips continued those serene ministrations on her neck, while occasionally altering the idle route to trail behind her earlobe–the kisses, his breath, and exquisite scent were a special type of calm, one yet unknown to the world and she knew it would remain so.

If he noticed her tears, if he had caught sight of the red in the whiteness of her eyes, he didn't mention anything about it she knew he would rather sit on the bed (for right now) and leave tender, chaste kisses upon her for an infinite amount of time till she no longer had any more tears to shed made her heart swell.

"Thomas ..."

"Hmmm? What is it, baby?" he mumbled from deep in his throat as his breath rushed beside her ear as his arms pulled her closer, and gradually, gently, he shifted forward and backward, and she became aware the gentle movement he was administering–with great care–was none other than rocking.

"You are so very good to me, thank you again for everything you've ever done for me," she said with a sigh as she felt his lips against her shoulder.