Raffy stared at the two of them wrapped in each other's arms. "Yeah."
After a full morning on the slopes, the kids were wiped out.
Alexander carried a half-asleep Niki, while Danielle walked hand-in-hand with Raffy as they made their way back to the lodge.
For lunch, Danielle whipped up a few simple comfort dishes. Alexander stood by her side as her sous-chef, flawlessly handling the prep and cleanup like it was second nature.
Once they ate, the kids went upstairs to take a nap.
Danielle and Alexander sat on the living room sofa, staring out at the falling snow in comfortable silence.
Suddenly, he reached over, taking her hand in his. "Danielle, I'm sorry."
She turned to him, raising a confused eyebrow.
"I'm sorry for all the pain I put you through before."
His voice was low and gravely, his eyes pooling with regret. "I know an apology doesn't even begin to cover the hell I put you through."
"But I swear, I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
Danielle's eyes stung. She looked at him and softly shook her head. "It's all in the past."
"No, it's not."
He tightened his grip on her hand. "I'll carry the guilt of what I did to you for the rest of my life."
"I'll never let you hurt again. I'll never let anyone look down on you. Danielle, just give me one more chance. Please?"
Looking at his desperate expression, the very last defensive wall around her heart finally shattered.
She sniffled and nodded, her voice cracking. "Okay."
Pure euphoria exploded in his eyes. He hauled her into his chest and crashed his lips down onto hers.
The kiss was deep and consuming, laced with a raw, desperate gratitude for finally having her back.
-
The next day.
Out on the slopes.
Danielle stood on her skis, slowly gliding across a flat patch of snow as Alexander guided her by the hands.
She leaned forward slightly, clutching him for dear life while the mountain wind rushed past her ears, drowning out everything but his soothing instructions.
"Relax. Bend your knees a bit and just follow my rhythm."
His voice was laced with a smile. His hands remained steady and warm, entirely focused on keeping her upright.
Biting her lip, she concentrated on holding her balance.
She glanced at the man beside her. In his sleek navy ski suit, he looked effortlessly athletic and imposing.
"I'm still going to fall,"
she muttered, her palms starting to sweat inside her gloves.
"You're not going down while I'm holding you."
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