I have been waiting, I have been waiting for you - Seal
Jace looked at the golden band around his left ring finger and smiled down at Riele who was dozing off in his arms. He tightened his protective hold over her. He had been told that he was too "clingy" and at some point he became "too possessive". .. but what did they know.
He was not the driven insomniac of months earlier. The look in his eyes said it all CONTENTMENT. When you had the love of your life in your arms, you were bound to be at ease with the world. Tsunamis may happen, cyclones and earthquakes too, but that was none of Jace's concern. No, his main concern was keeping his queen happy, which in turn lead to his own happiness.
Yes, he had to admit, it was a long, painful journey, one that almost cost him everything, but he believe God came through for him. He was very sure that He intervened in the situation and produced a miracle. How else could you describe the chain of events leading up to this moment of perfect bliss other than divinely orchestrated?
He thought back to the moment he made up his mind to reunite with Riele. He didn't stew over it for weeks or months, he just made his decision and went for it, not really knowing what the outcome would be. Yes, he knew what he wanted it to be, but he had no guarantee it would turn out that way.
The most important thing was that he knew he couldn't live another day without her by his side and he refused to go through another agonizing Christmas or Thanksgiving by himself. It actually boggled his mind that he managed to survive so long. Can a person live without his heart? No, you can't! So what the heck was he trying to get right? It's like that Dr Phil saying (his mom watched it devotedly) "How's that working out for you?".
He used to lie in his bed, staring at the ceiling for hours, not realising that time was passing. It was especially hard after he broke up with her. Jace almost felt ashamed all over again. He can't remember much of the day he cracked and does not really want to. He woke up in hospital bandaged and weak, with his parents clutching on to his hands for dear life. He remembered the fear, pain and confusion in their eyes, his mom's especially. When she asked him in a small voice, "Jace, sweety... why?" he gave her the only answer he could.."Because it hurts too much to live, mom"
His dad was the pillar of strength, as always. He had to be strong for his broken son and devastated wife and not to mention Jace's brother and sister. He helped Jace through the months that followed to recover. There were days that he could not get up out of bed, because his body felt too heavy. There were days that he cried and screamed and wanted to break everything he could get his hands on.. but his dad was always there. And he appreciated and admired him so much for that. He wanted to be like that. He wanted to be that pillar for Riele and their future children. And he knew he could be that, cause he was shown how.
The one thing he always wondered about was how they managed to keep the story out of the media. Perhaps it was best; he couldn't imagine Riele's reaction upon opening a newspaper (do celebs read newspapers?) or switching on the tv , or worse, opening her Instagram account and seeing the news of his self-affliction there. He wandered afterwards how she would have reacted but she assured him she would have come back to be by his side.
"I would have knocked sense into your head" she told him calmly.
Truth be told, he was not sure that their relationship would have survived at that point. He was in a dark place and would have dragged Riele right into it with him and that was not something he could live with. His Riele was too full of light and life and joy to be ruined with sadness. She deserved to be always happy and safe.
Jace knew when he decided to go to Venice, he was taking a huge gamble, but he is proud of himself for taking that chance. And what a ride it was in Venice. He grinned. To think he barely put his foot in the city, and he was seconds away from running right into her., If he just went after her. And then there was their almost magical meeting at that ball. He recognised her across a crowded room with her mask on and followed her when she tried to get away from him, as if he would have let her get away from him, he grinned.
He smiled as he relived the moment he held her in his arms again. Even though he had imagined it beforehand, dreamed of it, he was still not prepared for how wonderful it felt when it finally happened.
He sighed happily. The rest was as they say history. He gently combed her curls out of her face. Riele, ..? She stirred. "Baby, wake up, we're home.'" he whispered.
