again. Neither of us particularly cared for it, and we were ready to forget and move on. But then … Ella was born and … and Katherine …”
Benedict grasped Alex’s shoulder and squeezed. “Little Isabella survived. She’s the last piece of Katherine you have left.”
Alex turned tear-filled eyes on him. “Then you understand. I know you have every reason to hate Katherine—”
“I don’t hate her. I barely knew her. It was you I hated for leaving me, but even that hatred was misplaced. I cannot pretend to be happy that you married her, but I also cannot begrudge you finding whatever happiness you could—whether it be as Katherine’s friend, or Isabella’s father.”
Alex’s shoulders slumped with relief, and he smiled as Ella presented the rattle to him. She giggled when he took it from her small hand.
“She looks like you,” Benedict observed. “She has Katherine’s hair, but your eyes and your smile.”
Alex gave him a puzzled look. “She doesn’t have enough teeth for us to know who’s smile she has.”
Benedict raised an eyebrow. “I know your smile when I see it.”
Alex bounced Isabella at his side, angling her toward Benedict. “Ella, this is Ben. We love him … yes we do.”
Benedict offered a finger, which the girl took into her grasp and squeezed. “Hello Lady Ella. Lovely to make your acquaintance.”
The babe offered him a smile, showcasing the single tooth protruding from her bottom gums—which were reddened and swollen, indicating a mate was on the way.
“Would you like to hold her?” Alex asked.
Benedict stiffened, uncertainty welling up in him. “I … I don’t think I should.”
Alex looked disappointed but didn’t argue. “I understand.”
“It isn’t that I don’t want to. I love babies, it’s just … I think we need to talk about … everything.”
Benedict’s face flushed at his ineloquent flustering. This felt like tricky territory and he hardly knew where to begin.
“You don’t have to explain,” Alex said, steadily bouncing Ella as he went to a nearby rocking chair.
“There’s still Cynthia and my father to consider. I cannot risk bringing scrutiny upon you, or your daughter.”
“Ben,” Alex murmured, arranging the baby so that she lay against his chest. “When it’s all over we will talk. So long as you know that Ella is the only person I could claim to love more than you. She is a part of me. Where I go, she goes. I think you should consider whether or not you can accept that.”
Alex then diverted his attention to Ella, who still seemed to want to play. She toyed with her rattle and babbled, but Alex held her tight and began to rock while whispering to her, words Benedict couldn’t make out. With nothing left to do or say, Benedict took up the chair the nanny had abandoned, taking in the sight of father and daughter.
His mind still wrestled with the idea of Alex as a papa, but the scene before him made it all-too real. Instead of the revulsion Benedict might have expected to feel, he was riveted to the picture they made—Ella’s innocence framed perfectly by the strong but gentle hold of Alex.
Could he accept that Alex came along with a child? Could he live with that should they choose to recommit themselves to one another?
As Ella drifted off to sleep with Alex’s hand firm at her back, Benedict found his answer.
Yes, he certainly could live with this.
Another fortnight passed Benedict by in a flurry of training as his impending match loomed closer. When Fisher wasn’t putting him through his paces, he was in the company of Alex and Ella—who had been let out of hiding now that Benedict knew of her existence. While he wasn’t ready to let himself bond with the girl just yet, Benedict found himself watching her often, noticing that even as a baby she possessed her father’s natural charm. Alex was like a child himself when playing with her, rolling on the rug, bouncing toys across the floor, and producing a range of noises that made Ella laugh every time.
Before Benedict could allow himself to imagine what life might be like with the two of them always underfoot, making him smile and laugh, he needed to know what the future might bring.
The nights were theirs together, and Benedict found their lovemaking was enhanced by freedom from mystery and strife. They lay together talking until they fell asleep, speaking of everything and nothing at all. Despite knowing he would soon have to face Cynthia and his father, Benedict was too happy, too