43

GABRIELLA’S POV
After our passionate lovemaking, a sense of tranquility settled over us as Nicklaus cradled me tenderly in his arms. He held me close, his strong yet gentle touch comforting and protective.
As he whispered sweet nothings in my ear, his fingers traced delicate patterns along my back, soothing me into a state of relaxation.
“Baby, it seems you’re finding it difficult to sleep,” Nicklaus murmured, his voice filled with concern. I nestled my head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
I let out a soft laugh, intertwining my fingers with his that rested on my stomach. “Yes, Nic, I think sleep has eluded me tonight,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Sorry, love,” he whispered, pressing a tender kiss on my forehead. His affectionate gesture made my heart swell with warmth and gratitude.
“Thank you, Nic. Thank you,” I repeated, my voice filled with genuine appreciation for his presence and care.
“Oh, please, you have no reason to thank me, darling. I promised I’d always take care of you, didn’t I?” he reassured me, his voice filled with sincerity and love.
“Awww, Nic, you’re so sweet,” I cooed, tilting my head to meet his lips in a soft, lingering kiss. The touch of his lips against mine felt like a gentle caress, igniting a surge of desire within me.
“Gosh, your lips are so soft. I want more,” he playfully whined, his voice taking on a hint of childishness, making me giggle.
“Nic, come on, we’ve been together for hours,” I teased, my smile radiating with affection as I gently rubbed his hands with mine.
“I can never get enough of you,” he confessed, his voice barely audible, as he trailed a series of tender kisses down my neck, his lips leaving a tantalizing warmth in their wake.
In that moment, the intensity of our emotions enveloped us, drowning out the outside world. The connection between us transcended the physical realm, deepening the bond we shared. With each touch, each whispered word, and each stolen kiss, our love and desire for one another intensified.
Nicklaus’s embrace was a sanctuary, a place where I felt cherished and safe. His touch ignited a fire within me, one that burned with passion and longing.
Our bodies, intertwined in an intimate dance, spoke a language of their own, expressing love, desire, and vulnerability.
As the silence settled between us, Nicklaus’s voice turned serious, laced with concern. “So, tell me, is something bothering you? Is that the reason why you can’t sleep?” he asked, his eyes searching mine for any hint of distress.
“Oh, no, nothing really,” I replied, waving it off dismissively. I didn’t want him to worry unnecessarily or burden him with my concerns.
But deep down, I was wrestling with worry. How could I not be? The unsettling thought that someone might be trying to harm our daughter weighed heavily on my mind. I needed Nicklaus to rest peacefully so that I could take the necessary steps to ensure her safety.
However, before I could delve further into my thoughts, the sound of his soft laughter filled the air. I turned to him, playfully hitting his hand with a pout. “What’s so funny?” I asked, curiosity tinged with a hint of playfulness.
His laughter subsided, replaced by a gentle smile. “You’re lying, I can sense it,” he said, his voice tender and perceptive. “You don’t want me to get worried. Talk to me, baby. What’s the matter?”
I sighed; I didn’t know how to go about this. He knew I was worried, but I couldn’t tell him-or rather, I didn’t want to tell him-about it because this was something that already angered him. Telling him about it could lead to war, and that was something I dreaded.
But I had to let him do something, so I spoke consciously, choosing my words carefully in order not to say something that could lead to more trouble. “It’s just everything that happened. It bothers me that someone would want to hurt a little child. I mean, she’s still so young. So, why would someone want to do her wrong?”
He sighed deeply, his breath heavy, and I could feel what he felt. The ache, the pain, the guilt that he could have protected her.
Unclamping his hand from my waist, I turned to face him. Cupping his cheeks in my hands, I whispered, “Hey, look at me.”
He raised his head to look at me, his demeanor downcast. I could see the guilt swimming in his eyes.
I couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh; it wasn’t his fault, but somehow he had managed to convince himself that it was his fault, and I hated the thought of that.
“Sweetheart, it’s not your fault,” I said, trying my best to convince him that the matter at hand was beyond us.
“That’s not true, and you know it,” he argued, his voice firm and resolute. His eyes bore into mine, unwavering in his stance. I could tell that he wasn’t going to change his perspective on this matter.
“Shush,” I hushed, gently placing my finger on his lips, urging him to be silent.
“You don’t have to blame yourself for what happened. It’s not your fault, and deep down, we both know that’s the truth. You’ve done everything you could as a father. What happened was beyond our control, catching us off guard. All we should focus on now is finding a way forward together,” I said, trying my best to convince him to alleviate the burden of guilt he carried.
His eyes softened, and he sighed, his shoulders dropping with the weight of defeat. He looked at me, a glimmer of hope flickering in his gaze. “I guess you’re right,” he finally answered, accepting my reasoning. The tension in the room dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief.
“Oh, please,” I laughed lightly, trying to lighten the mood. “I know I’m right,” I added with a playful wink, hoping to bring a smile to his face.
“Thank you so much, Gabriella. I feel so relieved right now, all thanks to you,” he said, his voice low and sincere. He reached out and gently held my hand, his gratitude evident in his touch. “I really appreciate all that you do. I’m blessed to have you in my life,” he confessed, his vulnerability touching my heart.
A warm smile spread across my face, my heart swelling with affection at his words. They sounded sweet, genuine, and they even brought solace to me. “You don’t even have to thank me,” I mumbled softly, realizing that I hadn’t spoken much in response. The love and appreciation we shared didn’t require gratitude-it flowed freely between us.
“Come, come,” I urged, turning slightly and patting the bed beside me. “Lay your head on my lap, let me soothe you to sleep,” I suggested, wanting to provide him with comfort and peace.
“No, you need to sleep first,” he insisted, shaking his head with a childlike stubbornness. “You’ve been taking care of me all day. It’s your turn to rest,” he said, his concern for me evident in his voice.
A small chuckle escaped my lips as I looked at him, marvelling at his kindness and thoughtfulness. “Aww, you look like a cute baby,” I teased, playfully tousling his hair. The weight of the moment seemed to lighten, and we shared a tender moment of affection.
“Rest, baby, rest,” I whispered softly, my fingers gently massaging his scalp, hoping to ease his worries and lull him into a peaceful slumber.
I needed to leave before it got too late.
His head rested on my lap, and I leaned against the headboard of the bed, providing support. The room was enveloped in a hushed tranquility, and the air was heavy with intense emotions.
“You have carried us through the darkest of times, and your love has been unwavering,” I continued, my voice barely above a whisper, as if sharing a secret meant only for him. “I am blessed to have you by my side, to be able to lean on you when I am weak.”
His eyelids fluttered, heavy with weariness, but his lips curved into a gentle smile. “And I am blessed to have you, Gabriella,” he murmured, his words laced with a mixture of gratitude and affection. “You’ve shown me what it truly means to be loved, to be understood. Your presence in my life is a gift that I cherish every single day.”
Gently, I caressed his cheek, tracing the lines of worry etched there, as if hoping to erase them with my touch. “Sleep now, my love,” I whispered, my voice laced with tenderness. “Let go of the burdens that weigh upon your heart. I will be here, watching over you, keeping you safe.”
He closed his eyes, surrendering to the exhaustion that had claimed him, and a sense of tranquility washed over the room.
As I sat there, gently stroking his hair, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey we had taken together. Life had thrown its curveballs, testing our resilience and shaking the very foundation of our existence. But through it all, we had clung to each other, offering unwavering support, unwavering love.
Gently placing his head on the bed, I tiptoed out of the room. I had to see the issue on the ground, and that meant I had to see one person.