6. Just want

Reese POV

When I woke up, Elliot was already beside me, his gaze determined but softened by the morning light filtering through our silk curtains. He looked rested, something I hadn't seen in him for a long time.

“Elliot… Good morning. What's wrong?” I asked as I adjusted myself in bed; it was early in the morning.

"Reese, sorry to wake you like this, but I need to say something," he began, his voice carrying a tone of sincerity that made my heart race.

“It's okay, go ahead. What is it?”

"I've thought a lot about what you said yesterday," he said. "I know I've made many mistakes, and I want to change that. I'm going to spend more time with Sammy and our family."

His words were like a balm to my wounded soul. I could hardly believe what I was hearing; it was as if a dream was becoming reality after so many nightmares. I almost cried with joy but held back, not wanting to show how affected I was.

"Are you serious?" I asked, my voice a mix of hope and caution.

"Yes, Reese. I'm going to do things differently from now on," he confirmed, taking my hands in his.

“Oh my God… I'm really surprised by this now,” I commented, maybe because it was still, so early and my neurons weren't all firing properly yet, so it was a bit hard to process all this. Was Elliot really saying he wanted to give us a chance? But then, I had to bring up the elephant in the room. "And what about Jennifer?" I couldn't help the bitterness I felt when mentioning her name.

He sighed, looking down before meeting my eyes again. "Jennifer is my friend, Reese. She needs help to recover, but I promise this will be temporary. She'll leave as soon as she can."

I knew he was trying to be fair, but the idea of Jennifer under the same roof as us still deeply bothered me. However, I understood it wasn't the time to create conflict. Elliot was taking a big step towards us; I couldn't ruin everything by arguing about Jennifer now.

"Okay," I replied, though the unease still echoed within me. "But I'll give you so much love, Elliot, you won't even think of her."

He smiled, a genuine smile I hadn't seen in a long time, and pulled me into an embrace. “I know you try, darling,” he said as his hand brushed my back. I laughed, hugging him back; moments like these were so rare between us, but this time he wanted to make an effort, so I just had to cling to that hope and root for both of us.

“I do this because I love you, Elliot. I love you more than anything,” I said, feeling peace and comfort in his arms.

Elliot didn't respond, after all, I knew the love he once felt for me had cooled, but just because he was willing to give us another chance was a huge step, and I felt I could make him love me again.

I looked at him, bringing my hand to his slender face. “I want you to remember the love you once gave me, I want you to remember you loved me.”

He also caressed my face, gently adjusting my brown hair while looking deeply into my eyes. “I really want that, Reese. Samael deserves parents who love and support each other.” He sighed after mentioning his son's name, who was also his father's. “My father was an incredible man who raised me so well; I want to make him proud by raising Sammy the same way, too.”

At that moment, I couldn't hold back the tears, and they fell like two waterfalls from my emotional eyes. “Just by wanting that, you're already making him proud, love. Believe me,” I said and then practically threw myself into his arms, crying with emotion. That was literally the first time he had spoken about his father without blaming and accusing me.

Elliot really wanted to do the right thing this time, and I could only celebrate. Jennifer Durham might have tried to take Elliot away from me, but she miserably failed because my husband still remembered me, and I knew deep down he still loved me; he just needed to awaken that feeling inside him.

“Could the boy be awake at this hour?” he murmured while we were still embraced.

I let out a little laugh. “I bet not, he’s kind of lazy.”

He laughed. “Well, he takes after his Dad in that regard.”

“I agree,” I said, laughing too. “I have an idea.” I took his hand and pulled him back to bed. “Come on, let's go back to sleep; it's still very early.”

“That's actually a good idea,” he said, agreeing with me.

I lay down and invited him to lie on top of me. “I bet my body is much warmer and more pleasant than the sheets…” I said softly, looking at him heavily.

He was also looking at me, realizing the hidden invitation between the lines. Elliot sighed, “That really sounds inviting.” Then he kissed my lips while I pulled him to adjust over me under the blankets on that winter morning, where it seemed like my world was mending itself.