Tears rolled down my cheeks as I looked into her eyes. “Do you know how many nights I dreamed of you, Sophia? Being back in your arms as we made love in front of the fire. The night I held you in my arms as we dreamed of our future. I want you more than anything, my darling, Sophia.”
“Help me remove my gown, Danny.”
Closing my eyes, my head and heart waged a battle with one another. My head told me no, but my heart told me yes. Slowly opening my eyes, I saw the woman I would love forever. The woman I had spent the last year clawing my way to get back to.
Reaching out, I lifted her gown and removed it. Helping Sophia lie back down, I quickly removed my shirt as our eyes never broke from each other.
“I memorized your body, Sophia. Every inch of you belongs to me.”
Closing her eyes she whispered, “Forever.”
Crawling onto the bed, I slipped under the covers.
“Remove them, Danny. I’m so hot.”
Pushing the covers away, I took in her body. Placing my hands on her breasts, I slowly moved my hands down her stomach to her delicate undergarments. Sophia’s body shook as she began to cry again.
“I have longed for your touch for so long, Danny. The countless hours I have dreamed for this.”
Pulling her garments down, Sophia attempted to assist. “Sophia, I am not sure—”
“Danny, I’m going to die. The doctor said I shall not recover. The fever is weakening my body. I was okay with dying because I knew I would soon be with you. But fate did not have that as our destiny. So I beg of you, please give yourself to me one more time.”
I moved my body over Sophia’s. “You must promise me you will speak if I hurt you or you can no longer take the action.”
Biting her lip, she smiled. “I promise you, Danny.”
Brushing my lips against hers, I whispered, “I’m going to make love to you now, darling.”
Pushing slowly into her body, Sophia arched her back and whispered, “Yes. Finally, my love came back to me.”
Slowly, I made love to my wife. To the only woman I would ever truly be able to give my heart to. The love of my life.
Sophia wrapped her legs around me as she moved with me. It was as if her fever had vanished and we had picked up where we had left off the night before I boarded that ship. We were even in the same bed.
“Danny …” she whispered as I moved my lips along her neck and to her ear.
“You are my forever, Sophia.”
Crying, she wrapped her arms around me and whispered, “You are and shall always be my forever.”
Sitting in the chair, I stared at Sophia as she tried to sleep. Closing my
eyes, I thought back to yesterday, when I made love to her. Afterward, I held her in my arms as she cried herself to sleep.
Life is not fair.
Sophia moaned. The fever was growing higher and she was having nightmares. Her breathing had become labored and the doctor told us it would be within hours. Devlin had spent some time with Sophia earlier. When I attempted to leave the room, he asked me to stay. I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay and hear them talk to each other, but I was thankful I did when I heard the words Sophia had spoken to Devlin.
“Devlin, I’m sorry I wasn’t the wife you deserved. You deserve someone who will love you with her whole heart. You deserve happiness. Please don’t stop looking for it.”
Closing my eyes, I dropped my head down. I wasn’t sure if Devlin knew Sophia and I had made love. When I got up after Sophia had fallen asleep, I decided to keep her undressed. Her body was burning up. Opening the door, Devlin had been standing in the hallway with Colett, Thomas, and Nelly. I hadn’t even had the energy to speak to any of them. Thomas, Devlin, and Nelly still had looks of shock on their faces.
“Danny …” Sophia whispered. Lifting my head, I quickly moved to her side.
“My darling, Sophia. I’m here.”
Smiling weakly, I watched a tear fall from her eye. “Will you promise me that you shall take care of Annabelle?”