25. Chloe

CHAPTER 25

Chloe

I sit on the couch next to Rendal, my heart still racing from his grand gesture. The sound of Zola and Penelope playing with dolls in the dining room fills the background, a reminder of the family we could be. I turn the small gift over in my hands, carefully unwrapping it.

Inside, I find a delicate charm bracelet. My breath catches as I see the charms—one with my name and another with Penelope's. It's beautiful and thoughtful, just like Rendal.

"Thank you," I say softly, looking up at him. "This is... it's perfect. I appreciate your sincerity, Rendal. It means a lot to me."

Rendal's eyes twinkle as he grins, that suave smile that always makes my heart skip a beat. "Well, I couldn't let you think I was all seriousness and no fun," he says, his voice playful. "I mean, someone's gotta keep you on your toes, right?"

I can't help but laugh, the tension easing from my shoulders. "Oh, is that so?" I tease back.

Rendal leans in, his voice dropping to a mock-whisper. "Don't tell anyone, but that's my secret plan. First, I make you laugh, then—bam!—you fall head over heels."

I giggle, shaking my head at his antics. It feels good to laugh with him again, to feel this connection that's been missing for so long.

"You know," Rendal continues, his tone still light but with an undercurrent of sincerity, "I considered getting a charm for Zola too, but I didn't want to presume. Maybe... maybe someday, if you're open to it, we could add her name to the bracelet."

His words touch me deeply, and I feel tears prick at my eyes. "I'd like that," I whisper, looking down at the bracelet again. "I'd like that a lot."

As we sit back and relax on the couch, he starts detailing about the custody proceedings going on. His voice is steady, but I can sense the underlying tension.

"It's been a rollercoaster," Rendal says, running a hand through his hair. "Valeria's furious about the whole thing. She didn't expect me to fight back so hard."

I nod, feeling a twinge of relief. Rendal is strong, stronger than whatever Valeria will throw his way. "How's she taking it?"

Rendal lets out a dry chuckle. "Not well. But honestly, I don't care. She's caused so much harm, to me and to Zola. It's about time karma came to bite her in the ass."

His words surprise me a little. I've never heard Rendal speak so harshly about Valeria before. But I understand his frustration.

"Do you think..." I hesitate, not wanting to voice my fears. But I need to know. "Do you think she might retaliate?"

Rendal's eyes meet mine, and I see a fierce determination there. "I don't think so," he says firmly. "And even if she tries, I won't let her ruin what we have going on. Not now, not ever."

His words warm my heart, but I can't help feeling a little anxious. "Are you sure? Valeria seems like the type to lash out when cornered."

Rendal takes my hand, his touch reassuring. "I'm sure. My lawyer's prepared for any tricks she might try to pull. And more importantly, I'm not backing down. Not when it comes to Zola's well-being, and not when it comes to us."

I squeeze his hand, feeling a surge of affection for this orc who's fighting so hard for his daughter and for our relationship. I've never experienced something like this at all. Someone who would go to the ends of the earth to make sure Penelope and I are alright. Not even Penny's dad could claim that.

"Besides," Rendal adds with a hint of a smile, "I've got you in my corner now. And that makes me feel invincible."

I can't help but smile back, touched by his words. "I'll support you throughout whatever," I say softly.

Rendal nods, his expression softening. "That's all I need to know. With you by my side, I feel like I can take on anything—even Valeria at her worst."

I grimace. "That sounds awful."

"Yeah, she's like Medusa with perfectly manicured nails." He scrunches up his nose and shakes his head. "Terrible."

Laughly softly, I brush my hair behind my ears and gaze at him. He's handsome, through and through. And the way his fingers trail along my knee is sending shivers down my spine.

I lean in, my heart racing as I close the distance between us. Our lips meet, and I'm instantly lost in the warmth and tenderness of Rendal's kiss. It's soft at first, almost hesitant, as if we're both afraid this moment might shatter. But as the seconds tick by, I feel myself melting into him, all my doubts and fears fading away.

Rendal's strong hands find their way to my hair, his fingers gently threading through the strands. The sensation sends a jolt through my body, and I can't help but sigh contentedly against his lips. His touch is so gentle, so caring, it makes me feel cherished in a way I haven't felt in years.

As we kiss, I'm overwhelmed by a sense of rightness. This is where I belong, here with Rendal. All the struggles we've faced, all the obstacles we've overcome – they've led us to this perfect moment.

I run my hands up Rendal's arms, feeling the strength in his muscles. He pulls me closer, deepening the kiss, and I respond eagerly. There's a passion building between us, but it's tempered by a sweetness that makes my heart ache with joy.

We break apart for a moment, both of us breathless. Rendal's eyes are filled with such love and adoration that I feel tears prick at my own. He smiles softly, his thumb caressing my cheek.

"Chloe," he whispers, his voice husky with emotion.

I don't need him to say anything more. I understand everything he's feeling because I'm feeling it too. I lean in again, capturing his lips in another kiss, pouring all my love and gratitude into it.

As Rendal and I break apart from our kiss, I hear a familiar voice pipe up from behind us.

"Ew, gross! You guys are doing it again!"

I turn to see Penelope standing there, her face scrunched up in an exaggerated expression of disgust. I can't help but laugh, feeling slightly embarrassed at being caught by my daughter.

Rendal chuckles too, his deep voice rumbling through his chest. "Sorry, kiddo," he says, not sounding sorry at all. "Sometimes grown-ups just can't help themselves."

I roll my eyes at him playfully before turning back to Penelope. "Come here, you," I say, opening my arms wide.

Without hesitation, Penelope runs into our embrace. Rendal and I envelop her in a group hug, and I'm struck by how right this feels.

I look up at Rendal over Penelope's head, and the love I see in his eyes makes my heart skip a beat. We've taken the first step towards our happily ever after, and while I know the road ahead might not always be smooth, I'm ready to face whatever comes our way – together.

Suddenly, Penelope wiggles out of our embrace, looking up at us with a mischievous grin. "Can I have some ice cream with Zola now?" she asks, her eyes twinkling with hope.

Her question breaks the sentimental moment, and Rendal and I burst into laughter once again. It's such a typical kid thing to say, and it reminds me that no matter how complicated adult relationships can be, sometimes the simplest joys – like sharing ice cream with a friend – are all that really matter.

"Ice cream? It's kind of late, don't you think?" Rendal asks.

But Penelope shakes her head. "It's never too late for ice cream. That's what Mommy says."

I balk. "When have I said that?"

"When you grab a tub and start watching TV at night."

My eyes narrow at my daughter. "Now, hold on. Aren't you supposed to be asleep by that time? How would you know that?"

Penelope presses her lips into a thin line before shrugging. Rendal laughs, shaking his head as he rises to his feet. "I'm sure we could have a little bit of ice cream before bed. What do you say, Mommy?"

My heart flutters slightly, hearing him call me that. "I guess so. We're in a celebratory mood."

"We need ice cream!" Zola pipes up, gesturing to her dolls. "They're under a spell that can only be broken with chocolate ice cream. They will die if they don't get ice cream."

"Ouch. Morbid," Rendal quips.

But Zola looks entirely serious. "Daddy, you're going to make Balinda the Berry Queen die ."

"Alright, alright. Chocolate it is."

The girls erupt into triumphant squeals. I meet Rendal's gaze from across the dining room, amazed that this might be what the rest of our lives will look like. Penelope and Zola, lighting up our lives with their humor and joy.

This is even better than what I could have envisioned.