Chapter 122 - Home Is Where The Heart Is

In Prisana's mind, this version of Dane was none other than another version of him that she would learn to embrace and love. His stubborn side and his weak and vulnerable side all drew her to him. As he lay weeping in her half naked chest like she were a mother soothing a child, she kept running her hand along his hair. Before long, she began humming a song to him to calm him even further. A tune that resembled that of a lullaby.

She hadn't realized but Dane's shoulders were beginning to ease up and relax.

Only when she began spilling her voice to him, did he finally calm down and speak, "...I always thought this during that moment you held the umbrella for me under the pouring rain in the woods and hummed that sweet wretched tune...You have the voice of a goddess."

She breathed a sigh of relief and used both hands to cup the sides of his face, toward her. This time, she was the one to shed the light on all of his misfortunes. Dane looked as if he hadn't had a good night's sleep through dark circles plaguing underneath his eyes. His hair resembled that caveman she once knew long ago, only that he visibly bared his scar without shame from now on.

Stubble was clearly present as if he didn't want to bother grooming any part of his appearance.

"You stopped cry—"

Dane covered her mouth and turned his face away and at the moment, she had to stifle a laugh as to not embarrass him any further. "T-There was dust I couldn't get rid of in my eyes. Nothing more."

This time, she was the one to chuck him lovingly under the chin and didn't press the matter further even though they both knew the real reason. "...Caveman or beast, you are mine to repair even if that would take a lifetime...So why didn't you tell me you stubborn man? I'm your wife, remember? I want to share your burdens."

"Because I'm exactly what you've described, stubborn as hell. I love you to hell and back to allow this burden to you even if you vow to carry it. Prisana, I've always coped for my parent's death in this exact way and I don't know how to rely on others..."

"Rely on me."

It was those simple words which stunned him speechless for several minutes to just look into her depths and hold them captive, battling inner turmoil. He eventually surrendered and leaned against her shoulder. She felt like the whole world was falling back into place again, with her beast beside her laying on her shoulder.

"I'm relying on you right now, aren't I?"

"Not only now. Before, during, and after tough times I want to be the shoulder you lean on."

She felt him inhale a deep breath and then sigh, until his hand crept down to squeeze hers tightly. So tight like he truly was holding onto her for dear life.

"I'm sorry for being weak. For not telling you again...For shedding tears that a man shouldn't. Are you disappointed in me?"

This felt like a similar deja vu scene. Prisana suddenly remembered when the beast in shining armor came to save her from that man she once loved. She vividly recalled the words like night and day, resting inside her heart like every other beautiful vow she swooned many times over.

Prisana squeezed his hand back tightly, "I would never be disappointed in you. Don't you remember? You once told me I wasn't weak for running away from a man that could have further bent my will and made me do his bidding. Now it is my turn to tell you...Dane, you are not weak because you've suffered the injustice of losing your precious loved ones right before you. You can't suddenly overcome the past and easily change so I don't fault you for sticking to your old ways. And know this, a man can cry too. Your tears were proof that you've finally accepted the outcome of events."

"...I accepted the outcome of events?"

From his expression as she glanced sideways, he looked puzzled. Almost like in disbelief.

"Revenge isn't the answer. Giovanni and Erica have indeed screwed my trust and hurt me beyond a relationship that could never be repaired. I don't forgive them but I'll be the bigger person. Move on and face forward to the bright future that awaits the both of us."

"You're right. Since meeting you, I've given up on revenge but now...Now, I just want closure."

She could only nod and proceeded to rest her head on top of his which still lay on her shoulder. "...Listen Dane, I don't have much. My name is no longer important since that father of mine was ruined. Everything I own has been given, even from you. All I can give you in return is my love and devotion to stick with you in the end no matter how bitter it gets."

Even in his still slightly drunken stupor which she presumed was washing away, he managed to turn her head toward his so their foreheads were touching. Their hands continued this beautiful foreplay while heads were connected as one.

"That's all I need. You...Ha, thank you dearest, I think I've sobered up with that wake up call...I've been a neglecting husband, haven't I?"

Prisana frowned and nodded, immediately turning the other way. "Very. I was worried sick about you. The next time you don't return a single call or text, I won't be as forgiving."

Now that she was turned the other way like an upset wife, he made the effort to hug her from behind. "I'll do my best to repsond to every one of them. I vow it."

"...To start off with being a caring husband, could you teach me how to drive?"

"Drive? Ah...That's right. You don't know how to. I would gladly teach you. Anything else I can do to regian my status in your heart?"

She had to chuckle at that last part but began fidgetting because she wasn't sure if he would be okay with her next demand. "Some of my friends took it upon themselves to come over to our home..."

"That's fine, do what you want lynx," he interrupted her. "It's our home and I want you to feel at ease to invite whomever it is you wish."

God, this man was so sweet to her. She had her thoughts all wrong about him. He'd really give her anything as he said he would. His actions proved that. Prisana had to be truthful with him about the matter so she gulped down the air.

"There will be boys too..."

"Boys?" he raised an eyebrow.

Immediately her thoughts flashed to Theo but she didn't know how to bring up that part of the conversation.

"Is that a huge problem?"

"Quite so. I'll be terribly jealous. I might have to accidentally work from home that day."

She laughed and turned around to look at him seriously. "Don't you know already? I only have eyes for you?"

He chucked the underside of her chin. "As do I. As do other 'boys' who may have eyes for you. I won't come in between you or your male friends as long as it's clearly platonic. Lynx, I trust you to hell and back."

Before speaking the truth, Prisana took a long and deep breath. "...Er, there is one boy named Theo...He admitted he had a crush on me..."

"Oh?" was all Dane muttered in that low husky voice of his. "Tell me more about this Theo hmm?"

The tone of his voice sounded dark so Prisana hurridley continued, "B-But! I've announced I have a husband. You. I vow he would never cross that line."

"So now you're vowing in his stead?"

By now Prisana was so flustered she didn't know how to respond. That elicted a chuckle out of Dane.

He spoke again, "I'm teasing you dear. I believe you but if he ever does dare to cross that line then I won't be so patient or forgiving alright?"

"Neither will I...Will you finally come home with me? The...Er bed was growing lonely..."

One of his hands slipped down to her hips. "I didn't know you could be so sexually frustrated in my absence."

"What! I didn't mean it in that way...I just wanted your cuddles and prescense to be the first thing I sleep and wake up to!"

"...Hah, you're too adorable for words," as he said this he carried her into his arms easily.

Dane pecked her on the lips while walking out the doors to his office and leaving behind more of his past that faded away while looking at the future he held in his arms, "Let's go home."