"What a wicked game you play, you make me feel this way.
What a wicked thing to do, make me dream of you."
When Jim insisted that Poppy go to school the next morning, Molly accepted on the condition that Jim's men left as well.
They packed themselves into their cars and vanished without a word. Sebastian lingered, whispering to Jim for a few moments before nodding resolutely and following in his own black car.
"They won't be back," Jim said to Molly, turning his back to the window. "But Sebastian will be nearby." He took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Walk with me."
Molly tucked her chin deep into the folds of her scarf, bracing herself against the chill. Jim's arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her close to him. The trail he had found lead towards the hills and patches of trees north of the house. Molly tended to avoid them.
"She's a lot like you," Molly said. "She's smart. She hates being told what to do." Jim laughed softly. "And she has your eyes."
"Hmm."
"Its awful."
Jim stopped. "What do you mean?"
Molly took a few steps further, letting his arm fall from her side, and kicked a rock off the path. She looked back at Jim. His breath made clouds of mist rise towards the grey sky. Molly regretted saying anything at all. "I mean," she said, rubbing her numb fingers together, "I saw you every time I looked at her. I hated it. It was hard, for a while…"
"Molly-"
"But I love her," Molly interrupted, smiling. "She doesn't have to be…" She trailed off, unwilling to finish. She doesn't have to be like you. Jim's eyes narrowed in confusion. Molly, suddenly emboldened, looked him in the eyes. "She is going to grow up to be a strong, healthy human being. Nothing bad is going to happen to her." Jim cleared his throat and nodded. A drop of rain landed on Molly's lip. She licked it away and pushed her hair from her face. The rain began to fall steadily, and Jim glowered at the clouds. Molly followed his gaze, inhaling the smell of wet earth and wild grass.
"I looked for you for three years before I knew about Poppy," Jim said suddenly. Molly looked at him. "Then I-," he choked on his words. "I didn't want you to do it alone, I wanted…" His hand balled into a fist. He avoided her eye, searching for the right words. "I wanted to help."
"It's fine," Molly said curtly. Jim smiled without feeling.
"Everything I did, it was all for you." He wiped water away from his eyes. Molly couldn't breath. Everything you did. Her whole body seemed to turn to stone.
"What, you mean drugging, kidnapping, and almost killing me?" Her voice shook with fury. "I'm so grateful."
"Well, I mean-"
"You mean the good parts," she interrupted. "The parties, the sex, trips to Paris and Berlin. Do you want me to just forget what happened? I had to leave my whole life behind because of you, and you want me to just forget it?"
"Molly, please." His face contorted with pain. "I only-"
"No, Jim," her chest heaved. "I lost everything. You ruined me. I have nothing to give you anymore."
The rain poured on the pair in heavy sheets, splashing mud onto Jim's pants and Molly's boots. He stared at her in tortured silence. Jim's eyes darkened. Molly thought she saw a glimmer of shame, but it was quickly drowned out.
"I didn't want to lose you."
"Is that your excuse?" Molly shouted, taking a step towards him.
"Yes!" he shouted back. "I couldn't stand the thought of you leaving, so I had to make you stay! I couldn't protect you, I thought I could, but something always happened. I trusted you, then you got jealous and tried to stab me!"
"You were going to kill me!"
"Only after you decided to stab me!" He growled in frustration and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I didn't think I had a choice."
Molly scoffed.
"Can't we just be square on that? We both tried to kill each other."
"It won't change anything." She shrugged hopelessly. "What do you want from me?"
"I love you."
She froze, her breath leaving her. "What?"
Jim's face was dripping with rain, the shoulders of his coat darkened. He rubbed his gloved hands together.
"I love you, Molly."
"You…" Molly's face burned. She swallowed. "You love me."
Molly could hardly breath. Her anger had evaporated and every thought vanished. The voice in the back of her head sneered, He doesn't know what love is.
"You love me?" She repeated. She stared at him, lost in her own confusion and surprise.
"I do," he said. His voice cracked. "I love you."
"But," she stammered. Five years worth of words rose and died on her lips. "After everything… I tried to kill you."
"So what? I probably deserved it." He shrugged. "It makes no difference."
"Why?" Tears began to form, then spilled over to mingle with the rain streaming down her face. "Why?"
"Why not?" He winked. "Until death do us part."
For a moment she considered running. If she turned away now, she could hide from him and his words. But she didn't. What Molly did next, she could never quite understand. She jumped forward, flung her arms around his neck, and kissed him. He stumbled backward a few steps, then laughed, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her heart surged back to life, years of cold isolation washed away in the rain. Jim spun her in a circle, his lips moving slowly, smiling and laughing.
"I love you," Molly breathed. She brushed her lips against his jaw, collecting the droplets of rain, and looking into his dark eyes; this was the man she had fallen in love with. He looked at her like Molly had always hoped he would, nothing hidden, nothing moving behind his eyes.
"Quite right, too." He grinned. He lifted her into his arms, his lips still locked with hers. His kiss brought warmth into her flesh. Their foreheads bumped together, Molly laughing through her tears, Jim savoring every second.