whirlwind

Ten - Chess

"Cara?"

Cara turned from her position to see the to female of the Callaghan family enter the room.

"Hi," She murmured, turning back to glance out at Jackson Square, the view she could see from his room. Elizabeth muttered something about Lucas going too far, but Cara paid her no mind, she was doing her best to not offend her.

There wasn't anything she could do to offend Cara, after the incident where she almost died, Cara had been contemplating everything.

Not in the mood to speak, Cara simply pushed past Elizabeth, heading out into the hallway, silent. Cara came upon the lounge after a moment, where she saw Nicolas, expecting to see him working, like he usually was. Instead, she came upon the sight of him sitting in a chair, his elbows rested on his knees as he leant forward, seemingly deep in thought. It was then that she noticed he was deep in thought, almost crying.

"Nicolas."

She was surprised he didn't hear her walk in, but he looked up at the sound of her voice.

"Hello, little dove," he murmured as he stood, and Cara winced as his voice cracked.

It was then that she realized that she had never seen this man show this sort of emotion. Never in her life would she think that the strongest man in Chicago would be in tears.

"Nicolas," she murmured once more, heading over to him, not even thinking as she wrapped her arms around him, leaning her forehead against his neck. She felt like this was something they both needed, and she must've been right, because he held her tighter.

They were silent, save for the few quiet sobs that came from the girl.

After a while, he moved himself from her, the tip of his finger tracing her cheek.

"Little dove. My pure, little white dove. How did you get involved with a demon like me?" He asked, and Cara furrowed my brows.

"You are not a bad man, Nicolas."

"Perhaps. But I'm not a good one, and my position of power could have gotten you and our daughter killed."

"It wasn't your fault."

Nicolas paused. "Why don't you see who I truly am? I got you pregnant at a young age, taking your life away from you, then —"

"Nicolas," she interrupted, doing her best to convince him. "You have to believe me. This wasn't your fault."

He still didn't look at her, and Cara knew it would take a lot for him to believe her.

She knew he didn't believe her.

Without another thought in her mind, she reached forward, interlacing her hands around his neck and pulling him close to her, her lips pressing against his.

It had been the first time they had shown intimate contact since the night they met, and she was almost afraid he would reject her, seeing as he wasn't responding to her touch. Maybe she was overthinking their relationship, maybe the only reason she had been here all this time was because of their baby, nothing more.

After a frown, Cara was prepared to remove her lips from his, when she felt his hand wrap in her hair, pulling her close as his lips moved in a steady pace against hers.

She kept him close, not wanting to remove herself from him out of fear that once she did, her fantasy would be over.

She inhaled softly, reassured as she melted into him.

They could make this work.

They could be a family.

They could live.