FORTIFIED

Chapter Twenty One.

*If you have "Love Came Down" by Kari Jobe, please play it ❤️. It goes wonderfully well with the chapter. Enjoy!!*

Alex opened his eyes.

Where am I?

He looked around and saw that he was still in his room, but he wasn't on his bed. His eyes widened.

He looked at Adriel asleep on the floor beside him, a mere inch away from his face.

He lowered his gaze remembering all the events that had happened earlier that day.

She'd forgiven him.

Even after everything he'd done.

He hesitantly reached out and touched her face.

She stirred slightly at his touch, pulling him closer.

She was the most important person in the world to him.

He wouldn't have been able to bear it if he'd lost her.

"Adriel." He whispered her name softly, tracing the curves of her face with feather-light touches.

She let out an incoherent sound before her eyes fluttered open.

He couldn't look away as her eyes met his.

She looked at him, her face dangerously close to his.

He gulped.

Would she push him away?

When her hand met his cheek softly, all he could feel was the love attached to that one small gesture.

Tears prickled the back of his eyes as he stared into her eyes. He was still cradled in her arms and he'd never felt as loved as he did at that moment.

She brushed the stray locks that had settled on his forehead.

"Don't you hate me anymore?" His voice cracked as he asked the question.

Adriel shook her head, closing her eyes as tears fell from them.

"I could never hate you Alex. I'm so sorry I said that I did. I didn't mean it." She whispered still brushing his hair. He sighed relieved. He felt a weight lift from his chest.

They both sat upright but sat close.

"Adri, I-" He started but she stopped him short.

"It's okay Alex." She said looking at him and meaning it.

He kept his mouth shut and nodded.

He looked down at their hands, they were so close. He'd noticed the bandages on her neck and wrist from before, but they were gone now.

Alex felt a pang of guilt hit his chest as he looked at the marks. He held her bruised wrist and she looked at him surprised.

"I'm sorry I let this happen." He said. She shook her head smiling when he lightly brushed the mark with his thumb.

"It wasn't your fault. I was being so stubborn. I should have just listened to you." He shook his head.

"I should have been there. I hate that he hurt you again." He said.

Adriel could see that he was beating himself up about it, so she took his hand in hers.

"I'm alive and I'm so grateful for you Alex. I'm glad He brought you back to me. I'm glad I didn't lose you too." She said genuinely.

"And I'm happy Luke's wish was granted. You came back to us." She hugged him and he pulled her even closer.

"What would I have done without you, Adri I-" love you.