𝟐𝟏

FENIX

"Everything is alright, sir. The wound is not that deep." The doctor said and took off his glasses.

"The only thing I would advise you on is, don't do any heavily lifting. Don't overwhelm your arm." Those were his final words before he left the office.

Carefully, with struggle, I put my shirt back on. My shoulder felt sore but it was not like I haven't been shot before.

The bullet only grazed me anyway.

I looked up at the clock on my desk. It was almost 9pm. My mind immediately went to Elsie. She was probably getting ready for bed.

I haven't been home in two days. Not because I didn't want to, I did. But I wanted to give her the space she wanted. Also work had to get complicated just right now.

I didn't want to bother her that's why I didn't even call.

Leon said that she spent her days with Ian and working. It was enough for me to know that she was safe. Both her and Ian.

I leaned back on my leather chair and tilted my head back.

The look on her face when I left her, is still imprinted in my mind. She was in that state because of me. I should have never pressured her to marry me in the first place.

I could have helped her in another way not by practically forcing her to marry me.

Both her and Ian were in this situation because of my selfishness.

My phone rang and I reached with my other hand to the table. It was Leon. I told him to inform me on Elsie.

I picked up the phone and brought it to my ear.

"Hello, sir." He spoke.

"Hello, Leon."

He told me how she spent her day. She was shopping apparently and then went home with Ian.

And he said that he saw her crying.

I felt my stomach twist in pain. What was I doing? I should go back home to her. It doesn't matter if she gets mad at me, I just have to see her.

I tucked my phone in my pocket and stood up. I marched through the door and went to the elevator. The building was quiet at this time, only Kieran's voice echoed in the empty hallways.

Who was he talking on the phone everyday anyway?

He really didn't know how to shut up.

When I got out of the elevator, the guards greeted me and I walked towards the car and got inside.

It was hard to drive with a wounded shoulder but I had to see Elsie. She has been crying and I can't take the thought of her crying because of me. Because I was stupid enough not to call her or at least text her.

When I arrived in front of our house, the lights were off. Only the outside ones were illuminating the yard. The rain started to pour more heavily so I quickened my steps.

Leon and Winston were both at the entrance and immediately bowed their heads.

I opened the door and stepped in. It was quiet. I pushed my hair back, some of the strands wet from the rain. There was a faint light in the kitchen and I decided to see if she was maybe there.

I tried to walk quietly but my shoes clacked on the marble floor.

When I reached the kitchen my eyes flew to the dining table.

There she was. Her gaze turned to me and she pushed her hair behind her ears.

Seeing her felt like getting on the surface and taking a breath after a long time.

I opened my mouth to say sorry but she beat me to it when she ran towards me and circled her hands around my waist. She nuzzled her face in my chest.

I let out a breath of relief and wrapped my good hand around her and held her tightly close to me. Her soft sobs were the only noises around us and I leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

Her sweet scent that I missed so much, filled my lungs.

"Shh." I caressed her hair and back gently. Why did I stay away from her?

"I missed you." She spoke the words quietly but I heard them. She felt so good in my arms. It's where she belongs, here with me.

"I missed you too, baby. I missed you too." The nickname slipped through my lips. I wasn't the one to say endearing words or show any affection before but I couldn't help it when it came to Elsie.

It's like she invoke another part of me.

We stayed like that for couple of more minutes. I wasn't going to keep it in me how much I wanted her and Ian to stay here anymore.

She had to know how much I needed her.

She pulled her hands away and then brought them to her face. Carefully, she wiped her tears and slowly looked up at me. Her brown eyes were still glossy and I felt my heart squeeze in so much pain.

"I'm sorry... for the way I acted." She said and intertwined her fingers.

"Don't apologise. You have nothing to be sorry about. It's my fault everything turned out like that." I interrupted her. She had nothing to apologise for when I put her in this position. Her and Ian as well.

"Please don't cry." I pleaded and kissed her forehead. Her breath hitched and she took a step towards me and rested her head on my chest.

I brought my hand to her hair and entangled my fingers into her dark red locks.

"Fenix, I..." She stared to speak when she looked up at me again.

She didn't even get a chance to finish her sentence because I pressed my lips to hers. Her sweet, soft lips. Since the day I kissed her, I have been craving this moment, to kiss her again.

She lifted herself on her tip toes and pressed her lips further onto mine.

This time she was even more responsive. She was addicting. Her delicate hands were on my face and I tightened my hand on her waist.

Pressing her hips to me.

A thunderstorm shone through the sky and illuminated the kitchen.

The sounds of it filling the air.

Elsie ran her fingers on my face and then moved down my neck and shoulders. As soon as her hand reached my wound, I groaned.

"Are you okay?" She whispered against my lips and pulled away when I tried to kiss her again.

Her eyebrows knitted together, her lips swollen.

"Fenix are you okay?" She then looked at my shoulder.

Fuck, I wanted her lips again but it looked like she was not gonna let go of the subject.

"I got shot." I confessed.

"What? When?" Her eyes immediately widened and a look of panic morphed on her face.

"Earlier today. It's just a scratch."

"How can you say that?" She took a hold of my hand and led me to the dining table. I sat down and my gaze landed on the plate with a cake. It was my favourite one.

"Fenix please be more careful." I didn't know that someone caring for you this much would feel so good.

"Does it hurt?" I shook my head.

"It doesn't. It just feels uncomfortable."

"Are you hungry? I'll make you a soup. Or maybe if you want something else?" She went on, her voice almost breathless.

"Elsie, I'm completely fine. I'm not hungry thank you." I ran my fingers over her cheeks and under her eyes. The look in her eyes softened and she nodded.

"I'll just eat this." I pointed to the cake. She quickly ran to the kitchen and brought me a fork.

I began to eat the delicious food and felt Elsie's eyes on me. I cleared my throat and leaned back on the chair. I had to talk to her about the last conversation we had.

"How's Ian?" I asked.

"He's good. He asked about you but didn't said anything else about that." She played with the hem of her t-shirt. It fell down her thighs and covered her shorts. I tore my eyes away from her legs.

I placed the fork down and took a hold of her hand. I intertwined our fingers and tightened my hold.

"I want him to call me dad. Because I see him as my son. And I see you as my wife. My sweet little wife." I whispered the last words to her and I noticed her face blush.

It was time I told her how I feel.

"I don't want you to leave, Elsie. I want both you and Ian to stay here with me." Her lips parted and her eyes started to gloss yet again.

"Please stay here with me." My voice sounded like a painful plea.

Her beautiful brown eyes bore into mine and her chin trembled.

Kieran was right. There was no way I was able to leave them. Even though I tried to fight these feelings, I just couldn't win against them.

I hated losing but not this time.

"I really like you Fenix." She confessed and a heavy weight was lifted off my chest at her words.

"That's what I wanted to say to you before you kissed me." A chuckle rumbled through her lips and I leaned forward to kiss her temple.

"You do?" I couldn't fight the smile that reached my face.

"Mhmm. A lot." She blushed even more and another lightning bolted through the sky. The rain was hitting the glass of the windows and Elsie turned to her head to the sounds.

I ranked my eyes over her and felt warmth enter my body. My adorable little wife has been keeping her feelings hidden away as well.

"Let's go to bed. It's getting late." I said to her and she picked up the plate while I had my palm on her lower back.

She placed the empty plate in the dishwasher and we made our way upstairs.

We passed Ian's room and checked if he was sleeping. He was peacefully wrapped up in his sheet and had his toy close to him.

Then we walked towards our bedroom.

She opened the door and closed it behind us. For the past two nights I have been in my office, on the couch.

Either way I couldn't even sleep. I was barely able to close my eyes for few hours.

Elsie turned to me when I started to unbutton my shirt. She must have noticed the way my face twisted in slight discomfort. My shoulder was still sore.

"Let me help you." Her hands reached for the buttons and I didn't complain. I smirked and watched her slowly open the buttons one by one.

Her delicate fingers worked their way down until the shirt was completely open. She then carefully started taking off my sleeves. Her teeth sank into her lip, like she was the one in pain.

"If I knew that you'll act like this, I would have gotten shot way before."

"Don't say that!" She shushed me and a slight pout reached her lips.

I chuckled as she completely took off my whole top.

She folded it and I walked towards the bathroom. I took off my pants as well and brushed my teeth. After I was done, I got out and spotted Elsie sitting on the edge of the bed.

I laid on my side and watched her as she pulled the covers and got under them as well.

"Come here." I said and patted the bed next to me.

"But your shoulder...."

"It's my left one. And get over here. I want to hold my wife. I haven't seen you in two days."

"Okay." She agreed and with much worry on her face, she laid by my side. Trying not to hurt me, even though the injury was on my other shoulder.

I scooped her closer to me, basically gluing her to my side. "Better." I said and she relaxed after few minutes when she was that I was comfortable.

She tilted her head and looked up at me.

I used that opportunity to steal a kiss. She smiled and nuzzled her face in my neck.

"Sleep well, baby."

"Sleep well, Fenix."

Thoughts??

🤍🤍🤍