Once, my paranoid love

“I’m thinking about how I’ll begin to love you. And from which part?” I asked, my lips tracing a path along her collarbone, a playful and intimate gesture.

Elena responded with a grin, a mixture of amusement and affection.

“Keep your mouth shut. You didn’t say you were tired, did you? Go ahead and change this…” she began to say, but before she could finish her statement, I grabbed her face and initiated a passionate kiss.

Despite my slightly off mood since the morning, Elena not only didn’t resist but responded with a shared passion, reciprocating the kiss.

In that moment, I reveled in the desire to experience this side of Elena more often, without any compromises-she was mine, and I wanted her to be like this every time.

Elena, with a seductive murmur, interrupted our shared moment.

“Hm.. Derek, wait,” she breathed, momentarily pausing the heated exchange. I reluctantly pulled back, glancing at her pretty face.

“Everyone will arrive shortly. Go make a change,” she explained, a playful but practical reminder of the impending guests.

Before leaving, I couldn’t resist leaving a mark on her neck, a subtle and possessive gesture, claiming her as mine.

Elena’s Point of View

As Derek excused himself to use the restroom, I took a moment to look at myself in the mirror. With a gentle sweep, I moved my hair away from my neck, revealing a smile that held both gratitude and reminiscence.

Seven years had passed since Paul’s left, yet on our daughter’s seventh birthday, his presence felt vivid, as if he hadn’t truly left us.

Ethereal as it may seem, I could sense Paul’s essence lingering in our lives. It wasn’t an absence but rather a transformative shift, a realization that he wasn’t lost to us. This awareness blossomed with the help of Ethan, a presence that connected us in unexpected ways.

Through Ethan, I found solace in understanding that Paul hadn’t abandoned us; instead, he had become an integral part of the intricate web of our connections.

He became the bridge between my past with Paul and the evolving present with Derek and our daughter, Paulina.

In that moment, I opened a drawer and retrieved a necklace, a symbolic link to my past. The delicate piece carried memories, and as I smiled at it, I felt a sense of closure and continuity. Placing the necklace around my neck, I embraced the connection it represented – a connection not just to a person but to the evolving narrative of my life.

[Paulina’s Room]

“How am I looking, Mom?” Paulina’s voice rang with excitement as she twirled in her enchanting attire.

“My baby has the appearance of a princess,” I replied, marveling at the sight of my daughter, who seemed to have stepped out of a fairy tale.

“Really?”

Paulina’s eyes gleamed with joy, absorbing the compliment.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

“Yes, honey,” I affirmed, relishing the magic of the moment.

“What happened to my Paulina? Everyone is looking forward to seeing her,” I teased, playfully referring to the transformation that had turned my little girl into the belle of the celebration.

As Derek entered the room, his eyes lit up at the sight of Paulina in her regal ensemble. “Paulina, my child, you look truly stunning,” he remarked with genuine admiration.

Paulina, radiant in her princess-like attire, extended her hand toward Derek, a silent request for him to lift her.

“Daddy,” she called out with affection.

Derek, beaming with pride, responded to the invitation.

“My child is really stunning. You go downstairs, Elena. Later, I’ll take her,” he suggested, offering to accompany Paulina down to the awaiting celebration.

I nodded in agreement, leaving the room to let father and daughter.

Derek’s POV

“Come here, darling,” I whispered, extending my arms toward Paulina. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and delight as she approached me.

I retrieved a delicate necklace from my pocket, a gift from the mysterious sender who had consistently shared tokens of affection with Paulina. Gently, I placed the necklace around her neck, the pendant glimmering in the soft light.

“This is from your stranger buddy,” I informed her, a warm smile accompanying my words. Paulina’s fingers delicately traced the pendant, absorbing the magic of the moment.

“It’s lovely, Daddy,” she exclaimed, gratitude shining in her eyes. Her joy mirrored mine, knowing that these gifts held a special place in her heart.

I reached into my pocket once more, revealing a beautiful bracelet. It was my own contribution, a symbol of the love and connection we shared.

With care, I wrapped the bracelet around her wrist, the intricate design complementing the necklace.

“And this is from your daddy,” I declared, savoring the precious father-daughter bond we were cherishing in that instance.

“Thank you, Daddy. It’s also lovely,” Paulina expressed, her appreciation echoing through her words.

“And, as you can see, it goes well with the necklace. I’ll be able to put it on with my other outfits,” she added, displaying a childlike excitement for the newfound treasures adorning her.

“Come on, let’s go,” I invited, guiding her as we descended the stairs.

[In a hall room]

As the lively celebration unfolded, my attention centered on the heartwarming scene before me. Paulina, with her radiant smile, stood ready to slice her birthday cake. The air was filled with joy, echoed by the cheerful cheers and singing of everyone gathered.

In that moment, time seemed to sprint forward at a breakneck pace, yet the joyous atmosphere encapsulated a timeless sentiment. The flickering candles on the cake illuminated Paulina’s face, casting a glow that accentuated the innocence and happiness of childhood.

My eyes lingered on the duo at the center of the celebration-Paulina and Derek. Their connection transcended the ordinary; it was a bond forged through shared moments, laughter, and the genuine love that defined our family.

Derek, a remarkable father, stood beside Paulina with a pride and tenderness that were impossible to miss. His love for Paulina radiated, making it evident that she was his entire universe. Every gesture, every smile, and every shared moment underscored the depth of their father-daughter connection.

As Paulina sliced through the cake, a collective cheer erupted from the gathered crowd. The melody of celebration filled the hall, creating an ambiance of happiness and togetherness. It was a snapshot of a perfect moment, frozen in time.

Amidst the jubilation, I found myself reflecting on Paul. The absence of his physical presence was palpable, yet I believed that somehow, in the vastness of the universe, his spirit was watching over us. The words I silently whispered echoed into the cosmos.

“You may have missed this moment in this life, but I will keep my words in my next life, Paul. We’ll stick together.”

Late at night, after the last echoes of laughter had faded, and the warmth of the celebration lingered in the air, I found myself standing alone on the porch. The night was serene, illuminated by the gentle glow of the moon and the soft rustling of leaves in the night breeze.

Paulina, exhausted from the day’s festivities, lay sound asleep in her room with her loyal companion, Pom. Aaron, our little one, was peacefully cradled in the embrace of his crib, lost in the dreams of childhood.

As I stood there, immersed in the quietude of the night, Elena emerged from behind and wrapped her arms around me. Her touch was a comforting reassurance, grounding me in the tranquility of the moment.

“Derek,” she whispered, her voice a gentle melody in the stillness of the night.

“Babe,” I responded, turning my gaze to meet hers. The moonlight reflected in her eyes, casting a soft glow on the tender expression she wore.

“Don’t you want to sleep?” she inquired, concern lacing her words.

“I’ll join you soon, babe,” I assured her, a subtle smile playing on my lips.

Elena, sensing a weight in my thoughts, asked, “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing, honey,” I replied, attempting to reassure her, “just enjoying the moonlight.”

Her smile spoke volumes, a silent understanding passing between us. I reached out to gently tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, savoring the intimate connection that bound us.

“Let’s go to sleep. You seem so tired,” I suggested, the concern for her well-being evident in my voice.

Elena nodded, her weariness momentarily betrayed by the lines on her face. I scooped her up in my arms, cradling her in a bridal style.

In the silent hours of the night, with Elena nestled against my chest and the world steeped in a tranquil hush, sleep remained elusive. As I gently stroked her hair, a sense of tranquility settled over me, yet a nagging guilt lingered.

Elena, my love, I thought, I’m not like the others. I can’t bring myself to tell you the truth. In this moment, you are mine, and mine alone. My inner turmoil wrestled with the desire to shield her from a reality that might shatter the peace we had found.

With a soft kiss on the top of her head, I carefully extricated myself from our shared repose. I draped a shawl over her, ensuring she remained cocooned in warmth. Moving silently, I reached for my laptop, intending to compose an email to a figure from our past.

[Switzerland]

As the soft glow of the screen illuminated, a sudden interruption rippled through the quietude. The phone rang, a piercing sound that seemed to echo in the stillness of the room.