…At Last

.'.

Time: 7:21 PM

Date: 25 December 2028

Location: The Beginning

"Ema?"

Knock, knock, knock.

"Ema, please open this door."

The detective glanced at the door in panic, and when she looked at her hand, her uneven breathing worsened. No. No! She needed to stay calm. This wasn't a big deal. She was overreacting for no reason. All she had to do was walk to the door, unlock it and just face Klavier and—

OH GOD! No, she couldn't deal with it. No, it was a big deal. How could she do anything but panic?

How can this be happening?

She didn't know what she'd done to deserve Klavier Gavin. Clearly, there had been some mistake when her fate had been breathed into her because this simply could not be her life.

Why her?

Just… why?

"Ema, I beg of you," he said again, his voice strained. "Open this door."

Ema didn't answer. Her breathing hitched as she looked at her hand again and saw the very real, very sparkly ring.

How could he have asked her to marry him? Had he lost his mind?

"I am quite close to losing my mind, Ema," he called out, making her jump and she felt a swooping sensation in her stomach at the way he'd read her mind — again.

"Would you stop that?" she snapped at the door.

A pause. "Stop what?"

"Aha!" she exclaimed, feeling erratically triumphant. "So you can't always read my mind!"

Another, longer pause. "I would much prefer to conduct this insane conversation without the added complication of a door."

Ema's mouth dropped open in shock but before she could respond, he spoke again to display his uncanny ability to predict what she was going to say; "Do not even attempt to inject further insanity by insisting it is not."

Her lips pursed.

"Open the door, Ema."

Listen to him, you idiot! her mind yelled but her eyes dropped to the ring on her finger again. Her heart beat faster and harder than it ever had as she turned her hand from side to side, examining the diamonds encrusted in a silver band, twisted in a knot of emeralds and sapphires — to match their eyes, he'd said. To be a symbol of their life, always together, always bound.

It had been enough. There had been no doubt in her mind when she'd said yes and allowed herself to be swept up into his arms.

So why was she freaking out now? Why had she locked herself in — she choked — his bedroom?

"Ema."

Oh damn, she cursed and bit her lip. He sounds mad.

It wasn't often he used that curt tone with her. No matter how much she snapped at him or refused to allow him near, Klavier's foppish smile remained and his eyes glimmered lovingly. So, on the rare occasion he did get impatient, Ema knew not to push it. With a resigned sigh, and fear compressing her heart for the oncoming confrontation, she reached up to the lock and pulled it down. With clenched muscles, she opened the door slowly.

Klavier stood tall, his feet firmly planted apart and his arms crossed over his chest as he pierced her with his cool eyes. His stance was formidable and it stated, quite clearly, that neither of them were going anywhere until this was sorted out.

Ema gulped.

"Might I enquire after your reasons for taking off so unceremoniously?" he asked with an arrogant raise of the eyebrow.

Ema blushed and looked away. What was she supposed to tell him? That, now when it mattered the most, she was doubting him? How could she look him in the eye and tell him she was scared stiff of devoting her life to him because she didn't think she had anything worth giving him?

"Ema?" he murmured, stepping over the threshold, his eyes softening. "What is it?"

Great, she thought wryly. Just when I need him to read my mind, he decides to lose his powers of perception.

"Look at me."

Ema shook her head and stepped backwards, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor. She couldn't look him in the eye after behaving so stupidly. Whatever desire he'd had to marry her would surely die a swift death after this fiasco. Why had he even bothered to come after her?

Because you're in his house. He can hardly ignore you.

Oh. Right.

"How can I read you if you will not look at me?"

Look at him you fool! her mind screamed. Tell him before you ruin everything!

"Are you…" He paused and she thought she heard him swallow. "Do you regret saying yes? Have you changed your mind?"

Ema's eyes flew to his face. "No!" she shouted. "Of course not!"

It was impossible to tell what he felt more — relief or confusion. His handsome features were scrunched up into a puzzled frown as he swept her features. "Then?"

"I…" She gulped, cursing herself for her cowardice. "I…"

Great. Keep stammering Ema — that'll help your case.

"Say whatever you need to, Ema," he said softly as he stepped closer and leaned down to look into her face. "I will not get angry."

"Can't you just read my mind?" she asked desperately.

He chuckled softly and took another step forward though he still didn't touch her. "I wish I could. I admit I find myself entirely bemused by your behaviour." He paused to search her eyes. "This time, your expression is a complete mystery, Ema. I am afraid you will have to tell me."

Ema resisted the urge to cry. Why couldn't he just understand? Wasn't it so obvious?

Just tell him and get this over and done with.

But how?

You're torturing him! Just tell him, he'll understand and then you can… you can…

I can what? Move on? I can't live without him.

You have to.

No, I don't.

You—

"You deserve better than me!" she exploded, fearful that her inner voice would scare her into damning silence. "I-I'm nothing! I don't deserve you!"

Klavier froze.

For endless moments, he simply stared at her as if he'd turned to stone and just when she thought she might faint from anxiety, his face began to change. Ema watched with her stomach in knots as his eyes tightened and his mouth came together in a displeased line.

"Klavier?"

He didn't answer. His form remained still as a statue except for his eyes which darted all over her face. Growing nervous under his examination, she looked away.

"Um…" She swallowed painfully. Why is he staring at me like that? "What are you doing?"

"Trying not to renege on my promise of patience," he said icily.

Oh crap. Ema watched apprehensively as he stood there, exhaling deeply and clenching and unclenching his fists, clearly in an attempt to contain his tension.

"Now I understand why I could not read your eyes," he said, a dangerous edge to his voice.

Ema was chewing on her lip by now and though she was confused by his response, she remained silent. He looked so mad she was afraid of saying anything that might make him blow up. If he was going to withdraw his offer of marriage (which definitely looked like a possibility right now), she wanted to be able to leave with as much dignity as she could muster and getting shouted at by an angry prosecutor would probably compromise that wish.

"I could never hope to understand such an absurd thought," he said, staring at her sternly. "And I am not happy that you would allow such a deplorable idea cross your mind."

Ema blinked. "What—?"

Klavier didn't give her a chance to respond: his hand shot out to grab her arm and suddenly she was pressed against him, her wide eyes fixed on his fiery ones. She could feel the way his muscles were tautened; the stress his body was under seemed to seep into hers until her heart was pounding so loudly in her ears that she was surprised she could even hear him when he spoke.

"Do you know utterly ridiculous you sound?" he whispered. "For the first time since I have met you, I am beginning to question your intellect."

Ema was indeed severely missing in the intellect he accused her of lacking because she had neither the frame of mind to feel indignant at his remark nor the sense to realise she should remain quiet. "But—"

"No buts, Ema," Klavier cut across her loudly, his hand grabbing hers and squeezing it. "You will listen to me now."

Her mouth clamped shut though she wasn't certain if it was because of his command or because he was sliding her hand up his abdomen until it rested on his chest. Ema watched as his tanned hand entirely engulfed her paler fingers and pressed them against the thin material of his shirt. The heat of him scorched her skin and she closed her eyes, wishing she could say something – anything – instead of just wordlessly standing there.

"Look into my eyes," he murmured and she shivered at the huskiness of his tone. Not trusting herself to stay composed if she did, Ema simply lowered her head but then his arm tightened around her waist. Her breath hitched when she felt him move, felt his chest press harder into hers as he leaned in and touched her cheek with his lips.

"Open your eyes, Ema."

And she did. Somehow, his voice forced her to comply and she was sinking into the endless blue of his devastating eyes. His gaze caressed her, waking her body and rousing her soul and suddenly she was more aware of everything than she had ever been before. The heat beneath her hand grew as her fingers became more conscious of the feel of his racing heart, the way his eyes were turning misty.

"Do you hear me?" he whispered hoarsely.

Ema had no answer. There were no words that could capture or convey the sheer emotions overwhelming her, no words for the passion or need. So, instead, her arms slid around his neck in a hug that spoke more about her appreciation and her love than anything else might have. Klavier lifted her off the ground in an embrace so tight that she felt her heart merging with his and she felt closer to him than she ever had before.

"I am lucky to have found you, Ema," he said in a voice thick with emotion. "You have given me laughter and joy when I thought I could no longer feel."

He drew back and she turned her head so that she was looking into his face again, her heart expanding with love at his soulful expression.

"You have given me my life back."

Tears pricked her eyes. In the year she had grown to understand and love him, Ema had learnt a lot about the loneliness he had endured in a world that loved him for his talent alone, the betrayal and guilt he harboured for his part in the disbarring of a decent attorney and the sorrow he'd felt at his decision to disband the Gavinners.

Yet not once, had she seen anything close to the vulnerability she was witnessing now.

"I am nothing," he whispered, looking deep into her eyes. "Nothing without you. I worship the ground you walk on. I do not deserve a woman such as you but I love you and I cannot live without you. So please…" He smiled though his eyes pleaded desperately. "Please be my wife and allow me to spend a lifetime loving you."

She was overcome.

And suddenly she didn't know why she had been so afraid, couldn't understand why she'd wasted the past half hour freaking out and could see no reason for any of the things that had fallen from her mouth. There was nothing on her mind except an answer and nothing in her heart except a deep adoration.

"I love you too," she said softly, as he brushed away the tear that had escaped her lashes. "And I can think of no other fop I'd rather marry."

His mouth lifted at the corners and then he'd lifted her off her feet with a delighted shout of triumph and pressed her to his chest again, relief permeating the air around them with mingled laughter.

"I love you," he whispered, kissing her so tenderly she was sure she would cry. "I love you," he said again, moving his mouth to her ear where his breath sent shivers down her spine.

I love you too…

Wait. Wasn't she supposed to say that out loud?

She exhaled shakily. "You can read my mind, can't you?"

"Ja," he murmured, his lips trailing fiery kisses down her neck. "I know just what you are thinking."

Ema smiled when his hands travelled over her arms and down her body, starting tiny fires on her skin. "Just to make sure we're on the same page," she said huskily. "What am I thinking?"

Klavier raised his head and the gleam in his eye made her giggle. "You are thinking," he started, taking hold of her hips and pulling her closer, "that you would like to prove your love to me by ravishing me."

"Klavier!" she exclaimed, temporarily shocked out of her seduction.

"You should become accustomed to such requests, sweetheart," he said with a wink. "You have a lifetime of them to face."

Ema smiled and tilted her head. "Can a woman even ravish a man? Technically speaking."

His eyes twinkled with humour. "Not scientifically?"

"No," Ema said, holding back another smile and brushing the blond locks out of his eyes. "Only men can scientifically ravish a woman."

He chuckled and pulled her in for another hug. "I love you, Ema," he sighed. "I will love you until the world stops spinning and the mountains turn to dust."

At his words and in his embrace, Ema felt her heart grow in her chest until she was certain that her very soul would fall apart. With every fibre in her being crying for every part of him, Ema looked into his eyes. As her hands came to rest on his face, she smiled a cheeky, alluring smile.

"Prove it."

The spark in his eye triggered an inferno of desire and he laughed hoarsely, lifting her into his arms with one swift move. "With pleasure."

And then he was kissing her again like it was the last time they were going to kiss and murmuring words of love and she was scattered into a million pieces. He was her light, her freedom, her shelter… her home. He was her first and last. He had left such an unforgettable imprint on her heart that it would never again beat for another. There was no need for promises, she thought, because their love and passion for one another bound them in a way no vow ever could. It was an unfiltered love that had ensnared them in a net so tight that they had no choice… except forever.