Chapter 6 - The Night He Finally Slept Alone
Two weeks before their wedding, Adrien woke at 3:17 a.m.
He couldn't breathe.
Fire.
Broken glass.
His father's screaming voice.
He reached across the bed.
Empty.
“Helena?”
Then he remembered.
She was working overnight at the hospital.
Adrien sat on the edge of the bed.
His first instinct was to call.
His second was to send a car.
His third surprised him.
He did nothing.
He put both feet on the floor.
“In. Two. Three.”
His breathing shook.
“Out. Two. Three.”
Again.
“In. Two. Three.”
The fire disappeared.
The room returned.
Adrien looked around.
He was safe.
He lay back down.
And slept.
At seven the next morning, Helena quietly entered.
Adrien was still asleep.
She stood in the doorway.
For months, she'd wondered whether he'd ever reach this moment.
His eyes opened.
“Morning.”
“You slept?”
“Yes.”
“Without me?”
He nodded.
Helena smiled.
“That's the best wedding present you could've given me.”
Adrien sat up.
“I thought you'd be offended.”
“Why?”
“You're unemployed now.”
She threw a pillow at him.
Two weeks later, their wedding was deliberately small.
No politicians.
No underworld figures.
No newspaper photographers.
Toby stood beside Adrien as best man.
Mateo complained about being demoted.
“You chose the kid?”
Adrien adjusted his tie.
“He has fewer felonies.”
“Alleged felonies.”
Toby laughed.
Then the doors opened.
Helena entered.
Adrien stopped breathing.
Mateo leaned toward him.
“Boss.”
Nothing.
“Adrien.”
“What?”
“You're supposed to breathe.”
Adrien exhaled.
“Right.”
Helena reached him.
“You okay?”
“No.”
She smiled.
“Night terror?”
“Worse.”
“What?”
“You.”
The ceremony was short.
Their vows were shorter.
Helena looked into his eyes.
“I won't promise to fix you, because you were never mine to fix. I promise to tell you the truth, especially when you don't want to hear it.”
Several guests laughed.
Adrien took her hands.
“You walked into my life when I believed everyone had a price.”
He paused.
“You taught me that being needed isn't the same as being loved.”
Helena squeezed his fingers.
“And?”
“And I'm apparently supposed to say something romantic.”
“You're struggling.”
“Terribly.”
“Keep going.”
Adrien smiled.
“I don't need you beside me so I can sleep anymore.”
Helena's eyes glistened.
“I just want you there when I wake up.”
That was enough.
May you like
They kissed.
And for once, nothing exploded.
