Chapter 468

"Christian, this is just unbelievable." Nora held out her hand and grasped his as they looked out over the clear Indian Ocean.

Christian smiled and kissed her hand. "Are you happy?" He asked.

"I am so happy," Nora said.

"Married," Christian said.

Nora nodded. "Yep!" They sat on the edge of their large ocean hut's decking and watched the sunset.

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The jet touched down in Pisa. Erik had been quiet the entire morning and had left her the night before to be alone in his room. Pearl knew it was a lot to take in. The last several months had been a whirlwind. Learning about her past and learning about Christian's true paternity was more than anyone in a lifetime should ever have to bear. They had been through so much together. She looked over at him as he gazed out of the window. The small crow's feet around his eyes, the defined jawline, the muscles clenching as he was deep in thought, the waves in his dark hair. He was still the most beautiful man she had ever met and the years only aged him more handsomely. She reached for his hand and broke his thinking.

He looked over at her and gave her an intense look. He wasn't smiling and he wasn't angry. She couldn't quite place it but the intensity of his eyes burned through her like only Erik could. They gathered their things as security walked them onto the tarmac and to the waiting car.

The drive through the acres of vineyards took Pearl back to a place she had not been in a long time. Not just literally, but in her heart and in her mind and when the car stopped in front of the villa she had kept up all these years, she felt tears filling her eyes.

Erik exited the car and walked to the front of the estate. He stood for a moment, taking it in. He looked over and Pearl and gave a sad smile. They both were feeling the happy nostalgia and the sadness. She walked over to him and put her head on his shoulder.

He pulled her closer to him and held her there, for quite long while, neither of them speaking.

"Your majesty," a round and pleasant-faced woman greeted them with a thick Italian accent.

"Hello," Pearl said. "This is Giulia, the caretaker of the home. She and her husband Paolo have been here for over ten years, living at the estate and caring for it as their own." Pearl explained to Erik.

"Ciao, sono Erik Felice di conoscerti." Erik smiled and kissed her hand. She blushed and mumbled something about him being handsome. Pearl smiled and looked over at Erik.

"Always the charmer. And in Italian, which I'm not surprised."

Erik smiled at her and bowed. "Always full of pleasantries, my love."

Pearl laughed and rolled her eyes. "Yeah. Sure."

They were escorted in and lead to the main bedroom to unpack. Erik spun around and smiled, breathing deeply. "It still smells the same, looks the same." He focused his gaze on Pearl. Walking to her, he placed his hand on her tummy and pulled her to his chest.

"I remember the first time we were here. I would have never imagined what it would take to return. How long. How desperate. How achingly awful the years between."

Pearl sighed. "Yes. Who would have guessed it would be two more decades before we finally figured out how to live in peace."

Erik pulled away from her and stood against one of the posts of the king sized bed. Pearl knew her comment bothered him.

"I know we haven't talked about several things that…transpired between us." Erik looked down at the floor. "I know there are things you want to ask me."

Silence fell between them. He looked up at her again with his grey-green eyes. She noticed then how frequently they changed color, and how teal they were the night they met so long ago, sparkling turquoise like the sea.

"Ask." He said it so quietly she almost didn't hear it.

She cleared her throat and put her hand on her belly. It was necessary for their new beginning but it hurt to even think about it again. Just before she began to say she didn't want to revisit it, he spoke again.

"Four. And none of them were for love. Or sexual pleasure even. It was much deeper and darker. Four and then prison. None since. I mean it. I have been celibate. And I didn't kill anyone on purpose, I swear to you. And I know you believe me. I regret all of it. You are and always will be the only woman I have ever loved. I would die for you. And I will die most assuredly if I am not with you for the rest of my life. I'm sorry I hurt you. I am truly sorry about the betrayal we both endured, especially the pain caused from my family. I'm proud of you and what you did for the children, what you did for our son. My son." The bewilderment in his eyes made her heart hurt. "I do not hate Sebastian for what he did. I understand why, even though I question if I would have behaved in that…manner…again if he never entered our lives. I'm not blaming him. I take full accountability. But to answer your true question, the one I know that has been burning inside of you since this, us, began again, the answer is no. No, I don't believe I would have done that if he wouldn't have drugged and lied to you, telling staff to tell me he slept with you. I was happy. I was so madly in love with you that hearing that broke something inside of me, turning me back into that broken little boy again. And no. No, Pearl. No I will never do anything to hurt you, ever again."

She didn't need to hear that much. She didn't need to hear any of it, but she was relieved he had said it.

"Thank you," she said. "Erik, I never stopped loving you. I told you I didn't. I told you it was a lie, but I never stopped. I believe you. And I trust you." She walked to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, looking into his eyes. "You and me, us. That is how this ending will be."

He smiled and picked her up, twirling her around.

"I don't deserve you. I never did. But I'll be goddamned if I ever let myself again believe that you belong anywhere but right here, in my arms." He kissed her and lowered her onto the bed.

"Making love to you will never be enough, never close enough…," he whispered into her ear as he pulled her dress over her head.

Several minutes later, Giulia knocked on the door. "Ma'am. Ma'am dinner is served." Loud moans and the sound of the bed hitting the wall made her cover her mouth and stifle a giggle. "No rush, ma'am." She smiled and left them to settle in.