Chapter Twenty-Four

I KNOW, GOD, Valerian thought as he took one of the last available seats at the back. And believe me, You're not the only one who's fuc—sorry about that. This is all still new to me. It's just been three consecutive weeks. And counting. Hopefully.

He had come up with a bucket list of sorts last month. He had thought hard about all the things that his ex-wife would deserve in her next husband.

Things like...someone who didn't swear, since she didn't swear at all.

And then he had made a promise to be all of those things, on the one-in-a-million chance that God would allow him another shot with her.

God Himself was part of the list, and if Valerian were being honest?

The Big Guy in Heaven was still a mystery to Valerian, but he was slowly working on that, one Sunday service at a time.

Thoughts of Poppy haunted Valerian for the rest of the day. And it was the same the day after that. And so forth. It didn't matter if he was working in his office or traveling to Risto. Didn't matter if he was working out at home or on a Zoom call with the few stockholders and board members he still had in his corner.

She just wasn't his greatest obsession now. She was also the greatest love of his life, and Valerian knew it would stay that way for the rest of his days.

****

PAPARAZZI CROWDED AROUNDValerian as soon as he stepped out of his limousine.

Is that your last car, dude? Is it mortgaged?

Valerian's expression remained stoic as he started walking towards the airport's entrance doors.

Are you flying economy? Or you still splurge on business class because your ego can't stand anything less?

Valerian didn't even allow himself to think anything until he had boarded.

Good job, Rossfield.

He had actually managed to follow the good pastor's advice. One of the paps had shoved a camera to his face, but because he had been slow to fucking anger, he had been able to resist the urge to smash the other guy's face with his fist.

I hope you saw that, God.

All I'm asking for is a glimpse of her.

Or just any news so I'll know she's doing good.

"We're glad to see you flying again with us, Mr. Rossfield."

"Nice seeing you again, Jacqui."

The flight attendant led him to his cabin and opened the door for Valerian. "It's just you in first class for this flight."

"I wouldn't mind the privacy and the silence, to be honest."

A sympathetic expression crossed her features. "We'll make sure you remain undisturbed throughout the flight, Mr. Rossfield. But if you need anything, please don't hesitate to use the service button."

Valerian leaned back in his seat as Jacqui closed the door to his cabin. The paps would likely have something to say about this, but what they would never know was how his friend, who also happened to be the CEO of this airline, had made it clear that he would take it personally if Valerian refused his assistance.

You were there for me when I needed it, Park had told him. Now it is my turn to return the favor. Anytime you need to fly, wherever you need to go, my entire fleet is at your disposal.

Valerian's thoughts were cut short when someone knocked on the door of his first-class cabin.

"Good afternoon, sir."

Valerian nearly jumped out of his seat. What the hell on earth was that? That couldn't be Jacqui, could it? That sounded more like a fucking leprechaun with bad lungs than a human being.

"May I offer you a gwass of champagne?"

"Er...I'm good, thanks."

"How about a treem?"

A treem? Was that leprechaun code for I'm-going-to-kill-you-soon-as-you-open-this-door?

"Sir?" The attendant knocked on his door again. "It's a new complimentary service our airline offers. And in case you're wondering, I'm quite good at my job. I've experience trimming a client's hair aboard a helicopter, a sailboat—"

Valerian nearly tore the door open when he realized what he was hearing, and it was exactly what he feared and hoped.

Poppy.

She was crouched down on one knee in front of him, and her nostrils pinched between her fingers.

So that was why she was fucking wheezing.

His mind told her it had to be an illusion. But the way his heart had already gone crazy told him he wasn't imagining anything.

It was really her.

Poppy, my love.

She looked exactly like the girl he had seen the first time. Long hair in a braid, shirt and jeans, and even her leather apron from Salon Joyieux.

"Hi there," Poppy said with a self-conscious smile.

But all he did was stare at her.

"Valerian?"

Poppy had rehearsed this moment countless times in her mind. But when she realized how Valerian was staring at her like she had made the biggest mistake in her life for showing up in front of him—

"I c-can say the same now," she said jerkily.

"Say what?"

The curtness of his voice was intimidating. Please, God. She had come here with a plan, and not even Valerian himself would make her stray from it.

"That thing you told me before. I can also say the same."

His lips tightened, but she told herself not to mind this.

"For the past few days...y-you were the f-first thing I thought about and the l-last thing, too."

But the words caused Valerian's handsome face to completely lose color.

"What the h—what are you doing here, Poppy?" Valerian asked rawly.

"You don't sound happy to see me."

Happy? Was she seriously asking him that? Happy was the lamest and most inadequate word to describe the way his chest felt like it was about to explode. And the part of him that he had done his best to ignore—

The part that had been convinced Poppy was gone from his life for good, and that it was only a matter of time before the buzzing in his head resumed—

That part of him was still reeling.

And unable to accept that Poppy was truly standing in front of him.

"You shouldn't be here." Valerian needed to try one more time to make Poppy see reason.

"I beg to differ. I think I'm exactly where I should be now."

Why, God?

It didn't feel right to hear Poppy saying the words he hadn't even allowed himself to dream.

Why is she here, when I've hurt her so much?

Why am I being forgiven so damn easily?

"Um, Valerian? My knees are starting to hurt."

His words snapped him back to his senses, and Valerian couldn't remember feeling this big of an idiot.

Get yourself together!

"I'm sorry, Poppy." His mind was a fucking mess. His heart was racing so damn fast it was as if he was a schoolboy about to ask a girl out for the first time. And his hands—he couldn't stop them from shaking at the thought that after what seemed like an eternity, he was about to reach for her again. Touch her. Feel her.

But just as Valerian's fingers had cupped her elbow, and he was about to help her up—

Poppy shook her head, and his stomach turned upside down.

What now?

Did she realize the truth, and that was that he didn't deserve her at all?

Was she allowed to change her mind, God?

"Not yet," Poppy said.

What the fuck did that even mean?

"Or at least not until you answer my question."

Valerian only stared at her. Only at this moment did he realize it was actually possible to want to kiss a girl and shake sense into her at the same time.

"Are you trying to kill me?" he asked grimly.

"I wasn't—"

"Just ask whatever you have to ask," he gritted out. "Whatever it is—"

"Will you marry me?"

Had he fucking heard her right?

"Again?"

Valerian's eyes squeezed shut. God. God. God.

"And this time, no longer in secret?"

Poppy's voice was shaking, and when he opened her eyes again, it was to see her already crying.

"Because I want the whole world to know—"

He pulled her off her knees and into his lap, and her teary laugh was lost in his kiss as he fell back against his seat.

God. God. God.

Poppy's arms wrapped around his neck. He had let his hair grow longer, and for one moment, terror reared its ugly head up—

Please God, don't.

And for once, Valerian heard His voice just fine.

I won't.

Her fingers brushed against his curls again and again. But nothing happened.

Nothing.

He was free of the past.

Free of his old self.

God. God. God.

In Poppy's kiss, Valerian tasted hope, forgiveness, and love.

Thank You. God. Thank You.