She blinks at me, and I see the analytical side of her brain working. “So … you already know me.”
“Your essence, yes.”
She looks away, then back again. “I’m not a stranger to you.”
I grin, “No, you’re not.”
“Well, I’m at a disadvantage ‘cause I don’t know who you are.”
I pull her into my arms, then cup her face. “Yes, babe, you do. You knew who I was the moment I entered the elevator. Think of when you offered my phone back. You said, ‘I’m not afraid now that you’re in here with me.’”
Her eyes search mine.
“Why do you think you felt that way? I’ll tell you why. You knew the essence of who I am, based on my being a SEAL, and I know the essence of who you are, based on Cathy’s assessment of you.”
Her brow crinkles, so I kiss her frown. “Rapunzel, remember how good we were together in the elevator. We talked easily. We laughed easily. We fucked amazingly. Princess, we belong together.”
Zella
I stare at him for what feels like forever, remembering the magic in the elevator. Then how afraid I was that he would ghost me. He stole my heart the moment he dropped into my life. I smile at him and see the relief in his eyes. "d'Artagnan, just promise me this. If you ever, tomorrow or fifty years from now, decide you don't want me as your wife any longer, that you will come to me and tell me, face to face."
Then I see that fierce, intense look on his face again. "Rapunzel, I give you my word."
His lips descend to mine, and the magic begins again. Floating between time and space, between reality and fantasy, I give up my heart to this hero.
The screeching sound of tires peeling out echoes through the concrete pierces the peace of belonging.
d'Artagnan's lips evaporate into thin air as his arms enfold my body, squeezing me so tight against him, I lose my breath. Then he turns and slings me away.
I fall to the ground, landing on my hands and knees. My heart stops beating, and my mind screams NO as the vision of d'Artagnan ran over by a car, flashes like a nightmare over my pain.
I turn to see my hero, fearful he will be lying in a crumpled heap, but he isn't there. Sitting up, dazed, and confused, I look around for him, but he's vanished. I jump to my feet, ignoring the pain in my knees, and rush out into the aisle.
What I see makes my knees weak. d'Artagnan is sprinting after the vehicle. What the hell is he doing chasing the car? When it squeals down the off-ramp, he stops, watching it, then he turns and runs back to me.
Watching him is like watching a movie scene in slow motion. His stride is powerful. His white uniform emits bravery and courage. I see him as a Navy SEAL again and know that I will forever love him.
Crazy as that is.
He asks before he arrives, "Are you alright, Princess?"
I nod as he closes the gap, and when he puts his arms around me, I burst into tears.
He doesn't say anything. He holds me and lets me cry.
When I can breathe again, I look up into his face and tell him, "I have never been more terrified in my life that you were gone!"
His eyes soften, and his lips kiss my forehead. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Why did you chase them?"
"I couldn't see the driver."
I scold him, "Someone was assaulted in the parking garage last week! You could have been shot!"
He smirks, "Let's get out of here."
"I don't think I can drive." I hold out my hand and show him how badly I'm shaking. He hugs me tight against him again and says, "We'll take my car. Do you need anything out of yours?"
