SLEEP ELUDED HER.
Lea stretched out on the small bed and stared into the darkness. She had never felt more alone, not even when she’d packed up and left everything that she knew and loved in Seattle. This loneliness was so much deeper and so much more painful.
But Xander had made his choice of what was most important to him when he’d left before explaining exactly what was going on with his sister. Now that she’d calmed down, she recalled a few of the words she’d overheard when she entered the bungalow while he video-chatted with his sister.
His sister had said that she was only doing what she thought was best for him. And he’d told her he didn’t need her being so overprotective. He could take care of himself. It was shortly after that that he’d noticed Lea’s presence.
At the time, Lea had been so upset and wallowing in the pain of betrayal that she hadn’t bothered to consider what Xander might have meant. But out here, away from the drama, she could think more clearly. And she didn’t like what she was thinking...
She loved Xander.
She missed Xander.
She flopped over in bed and fluffed her pillow. Thinking of Xander and missing him wasn’t doing her any good. How was she supposed to get over him?
Just then she felt a kick. The baby. It caught her completely off guard. She rolled onto her back and placed her hand on her expanding abdomen, willing it to move again. Each day, the baby was getting stronger. Lea wished Xander was there to share this special moment with her.
What would have happened if she’d stayed at the bungalow and waited for him? Would he return? Would he wonder what had happened to her?
He’d never find her because she’d only told one person where she’d gone. And she’d sworn Popi to secrecy. Maybe that had been overkill, but she’d been running on pure emotions at the time.
She reached for her cell phone to text Popi but there was no signal out here. With a grunt, she returned the phone to the side table. Her hand pounded the pillow into what she hoped was a more comfortable position. And then she rested on her side and closed her eyes, willing sleep to take her to dreamland, where anything was possible, including happily-ever-afters.
Knock. Knock.
Lea’s eyes sprang open. The beginning signs of dawn illuminated the room. Had she at last fallen asleep? She was pretty sure that was the case. But what had awoken her?
Knock. Knock.
“Lea?”
Was that Xander? It sure sounded like him.
She sat straight up in bed. It couldn’t be Xander. He wouldn’t even know where to find her. But someone was definitely pounding on her door.
She jumped out of bed and rushed to the door. She swung it open and stood there speechless when she saw a very tired Xander staring back at her.
“Can I come in?” he asked.
She pulled the door wide open and moved off to the side in order for him to enter. At last finding her voice, she asked, “What are you doing here?”
Even with heavy stubble covering his jaw and his hair mussed up, he looked so amazingly handsome. “I had to find you. I had to tell you I’m sorry.”
“For leaving?” She was about to tell him that she understood, but he didn’t give her the chance.
“For that. And for not realizing soon enough how important you are to me. And for my sister pulling that overprotective routine and coming here to investigate you after I told her we were going to become a family.” He glanced down at the floor. “I guess I got ahead of myself when I told her that last part.”
“Why didn’t you tell me right away about your sister?”
He’d meant to and he had legitimate reasons why he put it off, but it boiled down to... “I couldn’t at first. There was that accident with Joseph and Popi asked me to help fill in. And then I kept putting it off because I knew it would spell trouble for us and we were in such a good place.”
“And you were afraid I’d think you betrayed me like my parents?”
He nodded.
“What my parents never understood and what I hope you’ll understand is that I don’t need anyone to protect me. I need a partner who is honest with me about everything—the good and the bad.”
“I can do that.” His eyes reflected the truth of his words.
Lea’s heart swelled with hope. This was the second chance that she’d been lying in bed all night hoping for. She couldn’t mess it up. “As for being a family, is that what you still want?”
His gaze met hers. “More than anything else. I know I’ve messed things up more than once, but I’d like a chance to make them right.”
Her heart raced. He was saying all the right things. But there was just one more thing she needed to hear. “And if you could make them right, what would you say?”
His gaze searched hers. “I would say I’m sorry I hurt you. I will do my utmost best to never do that again. And I’m sorry that I put my business ahead of our relationship. That will never happen again.” When she sent him a doubtful look, he added, “I’ve just recently opened my eyes to the fact that I have a very capable number two. He is now on his way to Italy to handle this latest crisis.”
“Really? I mean, you said it was so important. I don’t want you to risk your company—”
“What I was risking was far more important than business.” He reached out and took her hands in his own. “Lea, I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me.”
Tears of joy spilled onto her cheeks. “I love you, too. I was just too stubborn to admit it to myself. But my mother helped me to see that I was closing myself off because I was afraid of being hurt again.”
“Your mother? You spoke to her?”
Lea nodded as she squeezed his hands. And then she explained about her mother’s phone dying while they were on a cruise. “And so I have you to thank for talking sense into me and welcoming my parents back into my life.”
“Did you tell them about the baby?”
“I did. And I think my mother cried. Happy tears. They’re even planning to fly here, which I know is a big thing for them as they were banished from the island by my grandparents.”
“Maybe this baby will help bring everyone back together. After all, it worked for us. You are the only woman in the world for me.”
“And you are the only man for me.”
“In that case, I have a proposition for you.” He dropped to one knee. “I know you’ve turned me down before and rightly so. But a lot has changed since then. I’ve learned a lot. I love you, Lea, with all my heart. And I can’t imagine my life without you in it. Will you do me the honor of being my bride?”
Happy tears clouded her eyes. “I would love to be your bride.”
Just then the baby kicked again. Lea took Xander’s hand and pressed it to her abdomen. And then there was another movement. This time Xander’s face lit up when he felt the baby move.
“He or she likes the idea.” When Lea looked at her future husband, she saw that he was a bit misty-eyed, too.
Her heart overflowed with love. The future looked so amazing. There was nothing they couldn’t accomplish—together.