What a way to reconcile, eh?

Taking time to explore her body again was the most glorious thing. Elijah had missed Chase. He’d missed the little things about her body that entranced him before. That odd mole that was settled at the foot of her spine was still there, the veins at the back of her knees were as prominent as ever. She was a beautiful creature, one that he adored. It was interesting to add Kitty into the equation. She was this little lump that he kept coming across. She’d changed her mother a fair bit. Chase’s hips were wider, he noted, her breasts were larger and tenderer. Pregnancy really had changed Chase and Elijah had to admit, he liked it. Pregnancy suited her. That opinion was made into something that could have been worth twice what the original painting of Chase had been priced at. Millions into billions.
Elijah could have sworn he’d been dreaming but he could feel Chase’s body underneath the arm that he’d slung over her waist as he’d slept. He felt her snuggle into him and he remained where he was, allowing her the benefit of the doubt. He felt her small fingers move across his cheek. Elijah felt Chase lean forward and he felt her hair tickle his shoulders as it fell forward. His eyes snapped open and he grinned at her before pressing his lips firmly against her own. Elijah wrapped his arms around Chase and ran his tongue along her bottom lip. He nipped her lip gently with his teeth and flicked it with his tongue again, silently asking permission for her to grant him entrance to her mouth.

What he’d said earlier had not been a lie. He did want to marry Chase. He wanted to make her his wife. He did want her to have her perfect day too whether that exuded the wealth that the Krum family had or not. Elijah, himself, wouldn’t have minded a little church wedding in the countryside of Bulgaria. He could see Fauve as the flower girl, Thierry, moody as ever, as the ring bearer or whatever they dressed the little lads up for. Camille, Cassidy and Cherie would harass Chase until she gave in and let them be bridesmaids. Elisabeth would probably want to be one too. It would be a laugh. So many things that could go wrong would go wrong. He could tell. Still, that didn’t mean he’d no want the wedding to happen. He’d just have to nip out for a bit and see what he could get for her. He wanted her to be his. It was only a bit of paper but if he could get away with it then he’d have her locked up in a castle somewhere. He didn’t want to hide her from the world but he didn’t want to lose her in it. He loved her too much for that.

Chase felt him kiss her more deeply, and she smiled moving closer into his embrace. It was as though, every time they kissed, even small pecks on the lips, the world halted for just a moment, letting them savor each other. But when he kissed her like this, it was as though the world were spinning around them, and only they were in slow motion. Everything else was blurry to Chase, except for the feel of his hands on her, the way his tongue ran across her bottom lip, and silently asked permission to enter. Chase opened her lips a little wider, and moved closer to him, her hand finding it's way into his hair, gently pulling on the short locks that donned his head.

Sometimes she wondered why she deserved such happiness, why did she deserve to be laying here next to Elijah Krum, naked, pregnant, and so happy she felt she could explode. Why her.. and no one else? Why didn't people like Jack ever find true happiness like this? Jack.. who never had a lucky break in her life, pushed down, hurt, and so confused she didn't know what she wanted herself... but there she was, still fighting for what she believed in. And yet.. she was probably spending her Christmas alone this year.. maybe Chase's present would make her happier, maybe it would only make her more angry at Chase, but who knew, maybe it could make them friends again.

Chase let her tongue play around with Elijah's for a bit longer, before she slowly moved away, having to breath or risk suffocation. She didn't speak however, it was to.. lovely to ruin it with words. Chase closed her eyes gently and breathed in Elijah's scent, putting it to memory, storing it for later, half wanting to be able to stay here with him for the rest of eternity. She wouldn't have to move, or get up, or go through hell... she wouldn't have to think of her parents, or Kitty, or everyone who hated her. No, she could sit here with Elijah, forever in love. Forever... together.