His Unwanted Bride ~Editing~

Chapter Thirty Eight: Alexios

"Wife," I gulped trying to gain my composure. She looked delectable, I just wanted to have her here and now. But we had to go. "You're going to make this hard for me, aren't you?"
"Says the man dressed like a heartthrob," she replied, walking into the closet. She bent down to search for socks and shoes and I couldn't skip the opportunity.
"I'm dying to know... for research purposes," I spoke, standing behind her. She found her boots and stood. I pressed her body against mine. "If I kiss those lips of yours, will that smear?"
"Only one way to find out," she quipped as I turned her in my arms and kissed her hungrily. When we both came up for air, she beamed as she gasped.
"No smears," I smirked. She giggled a little.
"Can I tell you something? But you can't make fun of me," she spoke.
"Of course," I replied pulling her close to my chest.
"For the first time in my life, you make me feel safe and cherished," she mumbled. "You make me feel like I'm this whole other confident strong person that I'm not."
"Listen to me, you are all of those things. You were just drowning in that place and fighting to get out the only way you could. Now, with me, you never have to feel that again," I told her. She rested her head on my chest and sniffled a little as I ran my hand through her hair.
"Th-thank you," she choked. "I'm okay now."
"I'll go tell Clarissa we are ready," I smiled and left as she began to pull on her boots.
I knocked on Clarissa's door with a smile. Just a few short weeks ago I was alone in this place. Now I had a wonderful wife and a beautiful little girl to cherish. "Come in!" She called.
When I entered her room, Clarissa was curled up on her bed reading a book. "Hey, are you ready?" I asked with a smile.
"Can I just finish this page please?" she asked.
"Sure, if you want you can even bring it with us to read in the car," I smiled moving to sit next to her.
"I-I'm allowed?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.
"Of course sweetheart," I smiled at her. "Why wouldn't you be?"
"Daddy says books are never to be read outside of our home or school. Books are for girls who can't get any husbands to hide behind so they can keep themselves busy," Clarissa spoke sadly. "But I love books."
"Well here's the thing, sweetheart. Your Daddy was confused about many things. Books help your mind become strong and grow. They aren't something to hide away, they hold a whole world inside each one that's just waiting to be explored. You do what makes you happy and read all of the books you can. One day, I bet you'll find someone who makes you happy and loves reading just as much as you, or at the very least, loves the enjoyment you get from it. Your Daddy is still your Daddy, but sometimes grownups make mistakes and get things wrong. This was one mistake your Daddy made," I explained.
Clarissa reached out to hug me and I scooped her up into my arms. "Thank you," she smiled.
"While we are out today, how about we pick you out a bag you can take with us when we go out. That way if it rains you wont ruin your books, but you can always keep one close," I smiled.
"That's a perfect idea!" she yelled out with a giggle.
I stood and lifted her into my arms and threw her in the air above my head making her laugh before I spun her around. She giggled and laughed, and I knew in that moment she was feeling less sad.
As I set her back down on the ground I noticed Tabitha standing in the doorway, wiping a tear. Clarissa noticed her at the exact moment I did and launched herself at her sister.
"Tabby Cat!" she yelled playfully jumping into her arms.