Ch.2
At first, Burke wasn't sure where to place his hands as Cristina's tears kept soaking through his shirt. The vulnerability in the delicate figure pressed against him was as shocking as an earthquake.
Raising one hand over the back of her head, Burke hesitated for a moment, before resuming his reassuring stroke on her messy curls.
Gradually, the two hearts became attuned to its partner, as if they were beating inside one another.
As long as there was enough time, even the roughest ocean would have its day of serenity.
Running his fingers over Cristina's forehead to ease the frown on her face, Burke put a million words into his unyielding gaze. He was expecting an answer; one word would be good.
As the awkward silence dragged on, Burke began to question his action. Should he push harder, or should he take a step back?
Cristina confused him. She was very composed. There were no more tears and no apparent fear. What Burke wasn't aware was that what he mistook for calmness was really fright. The fright of someone who was too madly in love without knowing.
Patience used to be Burke's expertise, but when it came to something he so desperately needed, it was hard for him not to be anxious.
The hand of the clock was moving in slow motion, while Burke's hands began to fidget in agitation.
Out of nowhere, Cristina suddenly stopped staring at him and nodded her head.
The subtleness of the gesture could not conceal the magnificence of the meaning. Neither could Burke move nor smile, no matter how excited he was.
It was simply too perfect, too good to be true.
All his life, Burke had been a rigid follower of perfectly laid-out plans. Marriage had always been at the back of his mind, but the lack of resistance from Cristina was mesmerizing, like the ring he purchased long ago.
Who knew it would be so simple?
Digging into Cristina's tiny hand, Burke retrieved the treasure.
Beauty had to be made known to the world, but the dazzling diamond paled out once it was bestowed upon the most beautiful woman in Burke's universe.
Without further delay, Burke skillfully slid the platinum loop onto Cristina's long and refined finger.
Everything was perfect, if only she could smile.
Looking down at the ring without changing her demeanor, Cristina caressed it with caution, like a little girl who was patting her puppy for the first time.
Refusing Cristina a chance to take back her promise, Burke wrapped his hands around her pale and fear-stricken hand.
Shifting between the shimmer on the ring and in Burke's soulful eyes, Cristina finally gave in and made a very faint smile.
A single match could not burn down the entire ice-cap, but its impact was not to be dismissed.
A tiny little smile and a gentle nod alone not only created the happiest man on earth, but also gave Burke the strength to lift his prized woman off the ground and delivered her onto their most spacious bed.
Cristina sat in the middle, poised as a maiden sent down from heaven. Grabbing Burke's hands gently, Cristina brought it up to her cheek.
Standing right beside her, Burke was like her finest armor. Time was lost in them. They were lost in time. Everything was still and distilled. Paused.
Of course, sometimes inaction was only a prelude to more powerful action.
Soon, there would be no more silence.