A Sanctuary for Elle (20 page)

'Why here of course.  With The Sanctuary running next door.  That was what your dream was wasn't it?  To settle here?'

'Well yes, but what about you, your ca
reer?'

'I will work from home now,  there's nothing I can't do now without a phone line and internet connection and I have a good team of people working for me who I can delegate new roles for.  I may have to go away on odd occasions but I'm ready to settl
e down now too Elle.  I want a home, a family, a place where I could feel settled, secure and happy.  I want that here, with you.'

Elle had no words left.  It was everything she ever wanted and more.  A home, a man, a family of her own.  She was a very luc
ky lady.  So instead of using words, she leant to kiss his lips.  He kissed her back and they snuggled together on the sofa kissing leisurely, exploring each other slowly.  They took their time, a whole life now stretching before them  There was no need t
o
rush, to hurry.  They opened their mouths and their hearts and kissed with abandon, loving their new closeness.

'Where's the bedroom?' Mark asked, pulling his mouth from hers.

'Upstairs, on the left,' she murmured, dazed by his kiss. 

He stood then bent
to scoop her easily into his arms.  He carried her up the stairs and into the bedroom. An ornate four poster bed sat in the centre of the room, it wooden structure dominating the space. 'Wow!' he exclaimed, 'this is fancy!'

'Do you like it? It was my Grand
mother's.  Its a bit of an heirloom.  I wanted to keep it as mine.'

'Its lovely.  I'll look forward to sharing it with you.'

Mark lowered Elle to the bed and lay down beside her. This was a time for slow, leisurely love making.  They both felt the slow bur
n of arousal but with no need to rush.  Mark kissed her thoroughly, enjoying the soft noises of pleasure she made as his tongue explored her mouth.  She kissed him back with abandon, completely giving herself to him, loving him with her mouth.  Her hand b
l
azed a trail down his chest, revelling in the hardened muscles which quivered under her touch.  She reached his hip and then moved further to squeeze his bum.  He elicited a sound so close to a giggle that she threw back her head and laughed. 'What?' he d
e
manded laughing at her reaction.

'I'm just happy.  You make me happy.'

'Same.' Mark's gaze grew more serious and he went about bringing her body alive. 

Later as they lay naked and sated in bed, Mark propped himself on one elbow halfway down her body.  H
is hand stroked the still flat stomach that held their precious baby.

'You are one lucky baby' he murmured in dulcet tones, 'you've got a Mummy and Daddy who already love you beyond words, we're going to live in a beautiful place with everything you could
wish for and you have two people who are very much in love.  Our house will be filled with happiness and joy.  I promise you, we will take care of you, protect you, keep you safe and love you  always.  You're a lucky baby, and I, little one, am a lucky ma
n
.'  Mark kissed Elle gently and they fell asleep in others arms.

As Elle drifted off she saw her Grandmother, 'Nen.' In Elles's dream she was looking down on them and smiling.  Nen was happy.

Epilogue

Mark and Elle strolled along by the headland, hand in
hand.  Life was blissful.  They were both happier than they had been in years.  Elle looked up into Mark's eyes and smiled at him.  He smiled back, warm and friendly as always.  He had settled into home life so quickly.  He was not even surprised that he
felt so content.  This was what he had needed for so long now. 

Up in the field ahead a little boy ran about in the heather, happy and squealing.  Sam was an absolute joy and brought more to their lives than he would ever know.  Born two weeks early, his
birth had been nerve-racking.  The moment he had arrived had changed Elle and Mark immediately.  It had taught them that there was suddenly someone in their lives who came first, who needed them irrevocably. 

His first year had been a myriad of firsts, so exciting when he did something new. His second year had been fun and full of laughter as he developed a cheeky sense of humour in all situations.  They now were enjoying him in his third year as he began to s
p
eak more coherently and was interested in everything.  If only for a minute, he was interested.  As Sam frolicked in the field, running around and chasing the butterflies Mark stopped and turned to Elle. 'Thank you Elle.'

'For what?'

'For making me so happ
y,' he replied.

'Well, the same goes.  You've made me so incredibly happy Mark.  We have a beautiful son, each other, a wonderful home and The Sanctuary is busy and popular, everything it was in Nen's days. She would have been so happy.'

'I'm sure she's lo
oking down smiling.'

'I know she is.'

Elle smiled at Mark, enjoying the moment.  'Mark, there's something else as well I want to tell you.  Well, you're going to be daddy again.'

'I..you're pregnant? Again? Oh Elle! That's amazing news!'

And Mark scooped h
er up and swung her round till they were both dizzy.  Confused at the sudden activity, Sam ran over to them shouting. 'Daddy! Daddy! What doing?'

Mark scooped Sam up son he held him on one side and Elle on the other, 'Mummy has something to tell you Sammy.
'

'Sweetheart, do you remember Mummy telling you about when you were in my tummy. Well, Mummy just found out that she is having another baby. You're going to have a little brother or sister!'

'Sister please, Mummy,' was Sam's response. 

Elle and Mark laug
hed, their heads falling back in joy.  Nen looked down and smiled, her granddaughter had created a beautiful family and a beautiful home at Sanctuary.

THE END.