“As terrible as it all was, Damian, it’s what made us strong enough to
handle everything that’s happened since. I think if we didn’t experience its
hardship, we’d crumble now. We’re survivors, Damian, not victims.”
He places his forehead against my lips, his eyes shut tightly. He lets
out a shaky breath. I know he’s fighting back his emotions. He always tries to
be a rock for me, but under the weight of time, even rocks can crumble. It’s
only a matter of time.
“You’re so much stronger than I am,” he murmurs.
My heart melts into a puddle of emotion. Here, my husband, my pillar of
strength, my protector, revealing the kinks in his armor.
Knowing how it calms him, I comb my fingers through his hair, kissing
him across his face.
“I want to be your strength, Damian.” My lips hover over his now. “I
want to be your salvation.”
He exhales the breath he’s been holding into my mouth, breathing life
into my lungs. He is the air in my lungs and the blood in my veins. He is my
entire existence, and I’m desperately happy to give it all to him.
Saying the words I didn’t know I needed to hear, “I’ll love you until
the end of eternity,” I take his mouth onto mine, lifting myself onto the tip
of his swollen head.
I let him take refuge in my body, harboring him
in the depths of my womb.
