AN: Sorry for my sporadic updates, having family problems and writing time is very minimal. I am relived to have finally come to the end of chapter 4.
Chapter 4 part 16
Demelza was glad to be back at Nampara, here she felt safe, here she felt comforted like a blanket wrapped about her shoulders on a dark and windy night. It had been a joyful day; the uneasiness of Trenwith was soon put behind her when she and Ross heard the news at the mine that they had struck a vein of copper. Not only was it a stroke of luck for themselves it meant the miners would still have work, a purpose a way to provide for their families.
She was dressed in an old shirt of her husbands, just about to climb into the inviting bed when Ross came into their chamber with a handful of papers regarding the mine. "So how did I do Ross?" Demelza asked, needing, wanting his approval. But not quite able to ask outright. "You were not ashamed of me?"
Ross paused as he shuffled the papers into some sort of order and turned to regard her thoughtfully. "Why do you think I married you?"
This took Demelza by surprise, she had expected all sorts of responses but not this, this was a complete change of subject, she wondered where the train of thought was heading because it was clearly a deep and meaningful question. "I don't rightly know."
Ross laid the papers down on the dresser by the window. "To satisfy an appetite? To save myself from being alone?" He walked to the bed and sat opposite her, she was watching him, waiting for him to come to the point of his bizarre initial question. "I had few expectations. At best, you'd be a distraction. A bandage to ease a wound. But I was mistaken. You redeemed me."
Demelza felt tear well in her eyes, this was the most candid he had ever been on his feelings, his motives for choosing her as a bride. She knew deep down that had things been different he would be sharing their bed with Elizabeth and at best she would be the maid. An overwhelming joy was welling up from inside her like a spring, she wanted to kiss him just at that moment, almost unable to contain her joy that he loved her, for her. But she left him continue. "I am your humble servant, and I love you."
She smiled and gave a small laugh of heady relief and joy as he leant in and tenderly kissed her. It was alright she could tell him her deepest secret, one she had been hiding for so long and one which if she didn't say something soon would be apparent without telling him anything. With the fluttering lingering sensation of the memory of his lips upon hers she felt him rest them on her forehead, she sensed the arousal within him and yet she knew now was the moment to impart her news.
"Well I hope you will have little love to spare," she spoke gently teasing him into the news, not wanting to break this perfect moment. Still he pulled back and looked at her, confusion suddenly contorting his face.
"For what?"
"Our child." She placed her hand over his and covered her stomach and he gave a small laugh of almost disbelief but of new found happiness that there might be something else that could complete the day, the mooned and their love. His hands cupped her face and he tenderly kissed her as if she was made from spun gold.
"I love you," She whispered to him, just before he kissed her deeper, fuller and guided her back onto the bed, to show her exactly how much her words had meant to him and more.
