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My brows knit into a tight frown. “You’re gonna leave me, aren’t you?” I drop my gaze to her belly, a shudder passing through me. “Once you have the baby, you’re gonna leave…”
“You know that I’m pregnant?” Yazmine gasps.
“Yes… Kairo told me when we discovered you were missing.”
Yazmine gulps as she takes a step forward and reaches out toward me. She places her palm over the pendant and sighs. “I don’t want to leave, Aragon. I was heartbroken when I heard you telling Felix that you’ll let me leave.”
“Only because I thought that’s what you wanted…” I admit lowly, taking hold of her wrist. “When you didn’t answer my question in Seattle, I thought it was over. I had a flashback—” I gulp nervously when I realize I’m spewing more than I should.
Yazmine catches my hesitation and stares into my eyes compassionately. “A flashback of what, Aragon?”
The way she toys with the pendant has the effect of near-hypnosis as I lose myself in her eyes. I’ve never been this vulnerable in my life—not even with—
“Delilah,” I blurt out, eyes stricken with tears that make it almost impossible to see Yazmine’s face.
Through the haze of my vulnerable state, Yazmine takes my hand in hers and leads me into the bedroom. She gently guides me to the bed and sits beside me, folding my hand on her lap.
“Who is Delilah?” she presses gently, compelling me to stare warily at her. When I find no ounce of skepticism on her face, I’m encouraged to tell her about Delilah and our short courtship in Seattle.
When I’m done recounting my tales, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. A feeling that’s palpable as Yazmine sighs. She remains quiet but still holds my hand, smoothing her thumbs across my knuckles.
“You’ve been hurt…” she says softly at last, lifting her eyes to mine and returning me to the present moment.
My vulnerability is met with the gentlest compassion. It’s more than I could have asked for. More than I expected.
“I’m sorry…”
I shake my head, shuffling closer and lifting her hand to kiss her knuckles. “No, Yazmine. I should be sorry. You don’t deserve the shell of a man, made from a heartbreak you didn’t create. In fact…” I stare adoringly into her eyes. “... You’re the one who’s made me see the light. I don’t think I ever truly loved her. I know, because I love you.”
I don’t realize the weight of my confession until Yazmine gasps with a realization of her own. The silence that stretches out between us is needed for me to realize that I truly love her. Slowly, she’d grown on me like a rare, precious flower, ready to bloom from the waters of my love. Now that I’ve come to the striking realization, I know she’ll finally open up to me.
“You—you do?” she whispers sullenly.
I nod slowly, cupping her cheek with one hand while the other settles on her belly. “I tried very hard to fight it, my resentment of humans so strong,” I admit earnestly. “But you’ve made me realize my mistake, Yazmine. Because you are an angel.”
Another moment of silence passes, in which Yazmine stares deeply into my eyes. “I wasn’t planning on leaving, Aragon. I didn’t answer your question because I feared you didn’t want me.”
“Now you know…” I whisper, referring to everything I’d told her. My heartbreak and why I’d been as recluse and sheltered as I was.
Yazmine’s lips lift in a faint smile. “And now you know that I’m pregnant.”
I cannot help but smile broadly, eyes flitting to her belly. “I am happy; you must know that. But even if you weren’t, I would still want you.”
With the heavy weight lifted between us, I embrace Yazmine. She nuzzles into my chest, sighing with contentment.
I’m about to close my eyes and relish in the feeling of having the woman I love in my arms, when a thunderous screech outside grabs my attention.
We are back, Draco announces their arrival, prompting me to groan.
“What is it?” Yazmine lifts her head and looks up at me.
Staring at her disappointedly, I groan again. “It’s Draco and Lily…” I reveal. “They’re back from their honeymoon.”
“Duty calls?” she asks without a trace of the disappointment I feel in her voice.
“Yes,” I sigh. “I need to report on what happened today.”
Yazmine pulls back only to give me space to get up. “Go, Aragon.” She cups a hand on her belly. “We’ll be waiting for you.”
