The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 215

Chapter 215

“God, I’m heavy, aren’t I?” he asked as we began our slow ascent, one careful step at a time.

I made a show of straining. “Heavier than I expected. Were you secretly hoarding hospital pudding cups?”

He laughed, the sound warming me from within. “You caught me. I have a stash in my hospital gown.”

We continued our laborious journey upstairs, each step deliberate and careful. By the time we reached the bedroom, Derek was breathing heavily from the exertion, his face slightly pale. I helped him sit on the edge of the bed, then knelt to remove his shoes.

“You don’t have to do that, he protested weakly.

“Hush,” I replied, setting his shoes aside before helping him out of his jacket. When he was finally settled against the pillows, a look of pure contentment crossed his face.

“I guess I’ll be at your mercy for a while,” he said, a hint of his old mischief returning to his eyes. “Completely helpless.”

I sat on the edge of the bed, reaching over to adjust his pillows. “Think of it as hibernation.”

“Hibernation? His eyebrow quirked up.

“Yes, like a bear,” I smiled. “You’ll sleep and rest and heal, and when spring comes, I’ll take you to the Public Garden to see the cherry blossoms.”

Derek took my hand, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. And what about summer?”

“Why are you thinking so far ahead?” I asked, genuinely curious.

Without warning, Derek tugged me closer, until our faces were just inches apart. “Because someone promised to start over with me.

I need to plan our future.”

My heart swelled as I looked into his eyes, bright with certainty and something that looked remarkably like love. “Did they? And what does this future look like?”

His hand moved to my face, fingers gentle against my skin. “I’m not sure about all the details yet, but I know one thing for certain- you’ll be there, every day.”

I nodded, feeling tears of happiness gather in my eyes. “Yes, I will.”

“Not quite, I murmured, my voice husky with emotion..

This time, I initiated the kiss, pressing closer to him as his arms encircled me. The world outside our blanket fortress ceased to exist there was only Derek, solid and warm and alive beneath my hands.

Eventually, we broke apart, resting our foreheads together as our breathing synchronized in the quiet cocoon we’d created.

“Thank you for not giving up on me, Derek whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

“Never, I promised, the word carrying the weight of every silent vigil by his hospital bed, every prayer, every tear shed in fear I might lose him.

We smiled at each other, a wordless understanding passing between us. Whatever challenges lay ahead-his recovery, our past hurts, the complications of family-we would face them together.

Outside, rain began to fall, droplets tapping against the windows like distant applause. The gray Boston sky cast muted shadows across the room, but here, wrapped in each other’s arms, we had created our own sanctuary of warmth and light.

The raindrops sliding down the windowpane blurred the outside world, creating a protective barrier between us and everything else.

For now, this moment was ours alone-a perfect beginning to the future we’d almost lost.