New Beginnings

Chapter 24

Rollo stood behind me, his touch on the small of my back was no longer foreign. We had become so much closer over the past couple of weeks as I healed. I knew I was making him nervous. He wanted me to stay in bed for a couple more days but I refused. The sunlight was calling to me. The bright leaves on the trees were beginning to turn a fiery orange and bright yellow. I wanted nothing more than to run through the leaves and hear them crunch beneath my feet. Right now, because I was healing, running was out of the question. Rollo was there to make sure of that.

The sun was bright making me squint in the harsh light. I sucked in as deep of a breath that I could which made my bandaged ribs ache. Rollo placed a hand on my shoulder, he was afraid that I would bolt at any minute and injure myself further. I smiled up at my protective husband. A smile tugged at his lips and he leaned down to kiss me.

"Look who broke out of their prison!" Torin called causing us to pull apart, a knowing smile plastered on his face. I felt my face turn bright red but I shouldn't feel guilty about kissing my husband. I turned and grabbed Rollo pulling him down to me then kissed him soundly right there in front of Torin. It was Torin's turn to blush earning a loud laugh from Rollo. I smirked at Torin.

"You need to find yourself a wife my friend" Rollo said still laughing at Torins discomfort as he wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Maybe one day" Torin said as he started to walk away. "And with any luck she won't be nearly as mischievous as yours."

We walked to the water's edge. The sun was just starting to set casting its light over the ocean in a brilliant display of colors. A gentle breeze caused me to shiver. Rollo pulled me against his chest to offer some warmth. I caught a glimpse of our reflection down in the water. Rollo was handsome as ever but I looked different. I almost didn't recognize myself and it wasn't because of the scab that cut down the side of my face. I was stronger. That weak girl that I had once been was long gone. If in the past someone had told me this was my future I would have laughed straight in their face.

I was in a good place with Rollo. He made me happy and made me feel safe. I couldn't help but smile which caused my face to pull uncomfortably around my cut but the discomfort didn't matter. I turned in Rollo's arms to smile up at him. He matched my smile and kissed me.

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A few weeks later I stood in the barn. The barn offered shelter from the snow that was falling around us. I was mostly healed from my injuries. The fresh scar on my face was bright red and very noticeable. Rollo didn't seem to notice it. The only time he would pay attention to it was when he would trace his finger over it. If anything, the attack had strengthened our relationship. Where we had been fragile, we were now strong. We were close like we had known each other for years rather than a few short months.

Rollo wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and I turned around to smile up at him.

"What is it?" he asked as he absentmindedly traced my face with his finger. I had to focus on what I wanted to say. He was very distracting.

"I need to tell you something" I told him. He leaned down until our foreheads were touching our lips mere inches apart. His deep eyes locked with mine. The light in them was back. I waited a few seconds tempting him further. As his lips inched closer to mine and his eyes closed I told him. "I'm pregnant."

His eyes flew open in surprise and his strong hands held onto my shoulders as if to steady himself there in this moment with me. He pulled back from me but didn't release me from his grip.
I couldn't understand his reaction I had thought he would have been happy. I searched his eyes for an answer. Maybe this wasn't the right time to tell him. I looked down at his broad chest as his finger and thumb lifted my chin. Forcing me to make eye contact with him.

"I thought you'd be happy." I said quietly.

His hands reached down to touch my stomach where his child was. His lips found mine and I could feel his joy. His kiss was all the answer that I needed. He was happy. My arms wound around his neck pulling us closer together. I would never get tired of this closeness I felt with my husband.

I was excited for this new adventure in our lives, together.

The End

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This was my very first story ever to be read by anybody. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing it. As always, feel free to vote and comment. Look for more of my stories in the future. Thanks for reading!

-Kam