For Both Are Infinite (Hearts in London Book 1) (38 page)

“Besides, Ellie,” Charlie began, “I’m just stating the truth. He was terrified you would reject him and did that so you wouldn’t have the heart to say no to those puppy eyes.”

I laughed but brushed him off and started discussing favorite childhood memories and Christmas traditions within our family. Charlie continued badgering Rhys, but after a bit he told stories of their summers together and I enjoyed hearing about Rhys’ youth. It wasn’t until he began to leave that he won me over. He was the last to go, and after hugging Rhys in the kitchen, he hugged me too. I could feel Charlie whisper something to Rhys behind my head, thought I couldn’t make it out, but it was what he said to me that left me dumbfounded.

“That man will do anything for you. He’s loved before, but never like this. I don’t know you well, but after meeting tonight I can see why he’s so pleased. Take care of my brother, because all he wants is to take care of you.”

I was shocked, especially after all his nagging throughout the night, but nodded into his shoulder. I knew Rhys was watching and that he had likely heard it too. He hugged Rhys again and said, “I’m in town for two weeks, let’s try to get together again,” and we both walked him out.

On the way back in Rhys said, “I know he’s different, but he’s the best and oldest friend I’ve ever had. He would do anything for me, not because I’m Rhys Edwards, but because I’m just his friend Rhys.”

“He grew on me as the night passed,” I admitted.

“He was quite nervous to meet you; I think that may have exuded through his already unique personality.”

“Why would he be nervous?”

“I call Charlie every other week and since we’ve met he hasn’t heard anything that wasn’t Ellie related. Early on he pushed me to ask you out despite my worries you would say no. He’s been informed, just as you tell Anne things.”

I nodded as he locked the door. “I’m glad you have someone like him.”

“Me too.”

I pulled Rhys to the Christmas tree and we sat on the couch drinking tea with Christmas music on in the background. He was still awfully quiet as he watched the blinking lights and held my hand, so I finally implored my concern. “Rhys, tell me what’s going on.”

He sighed, disappointed he hadn’t masked it better. “I’m sad at how quickly time is passing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” he looked over at me, his eyes watery with the tree lights reflecting in them. “I leave mid January, remember?”

I nodded. “I’ve tried not to think about it. How long will you be gone for?”

“Seven weeks. I come back the first week of March.” His words were heavy leaving his mouth, and he’d been looking at his shoes. I lifted his chin and kissed him softly.

“Can we talk about this after new years?” He nodded. I didn’t want to worry about it over Christmas when we couldn’t change it. “I’ve got you a Christmas Eve gift. Come, it’s upstairs.”

Once in his room I retrieved the box from the closet. He hadn’t known I was getting him a gift that night, but was glad I did when I heard his laughter bursting from his lips. Rhys’ mother used to buy him and his sisters matching Christmas pajamas every year. The ones I’d bought had the Grinch on them and he laughed when I opened my own box with a matching set. “I figured we could wear these tonight,” I said.

“These are perfect. Thank you, love.”

He kissed me, innocently and graciously for the gifts, but the kiss turned into something else as his laughter subsided and he continued massaging his lips over mine. Desire took over his hands that he placed around my neck and waist, squeezing me, again as if he thought I’d run away. I stood and lifted my dress over my head, revealing my red lingerie I had worn for exactly that moment. It had been years since I’d dressed up sexily, but I was glad to do it when I saw how he marveled at me. That was how Rhys Edwards, of all people, looked at me, like his eyes had never seen anything more beautiful.

“This is the second half of the gift, but I don’t fit in the box,” I smirked.

He pulled me over his lap and shook his head as he kissed me. “You’re amazing, you know that right?”

We continued kissing and Rhys made love to me slowly that night, savoring each kiss, touch and movement. It was an idyllic end to the evening, made better as we opted to stay nude and hold each other while reading
A Christmas Carol
. “We’ll wear the pj’s tomorrow,” he said, looking at them in a pile on the floor. He read to me for thirty minutes and then put his hand on my face to force me to look up at him.

“You may not fit under the tree, but you’re the best gift I wasn’t expecting. I know the circumstances that brought you to London weren’t ideal,” he winced, “but I’m so glad you made it to me, Ellie.”

He turned out the light and we shared many other things that night. I told him I loved him, that I didn’t want him to leave, and most importantly that no matter what lead me there, I was exactly where I was meant to be.

∞

I didn’t have children, but waking up with Rhys made it feel like my boyfriend was one. He woke me with sweet kisses at 10:00 a.m. before jumping on the bed and shouting, “It’s Christmas, it’s Christmas!” I looked at him as if he’d gone crazy, and he giggled, plopping beside me. “Happy Christmas, darling.”

I looked at him, unable to avoid the joy exuding from his expression and mirrored it. “Merry Christmas, Rhys.”

“Come.” He yanked me off the bed. “I can’t wait to give you your gifts!”

I’d forgotten how sweet it was to wake up with your love on Christmas. We sat on the floor by the tree with our coffee mugs.

“Don’t you want to sit on the sofa?”

“Ellie, it’s Christmas… we have to sit right by the tree.”

“Sorry,” I said, sitting and glad to see him feeling lighter. It reminded me of how giddy Aaron would become over the holidays.

“Are you okay?” Rhys asked, reading my thoughts.

“Yeah. I always miss him, but I’m really happy.”

“I know,” he said, gripping my hand in support.

“Here.” I reached for a gift. “Open this one first.”

I handed him the box and he tore the paper off quickly to reveal a pair of black Keds. He needed them desperately, having made a habit of wearing ones that were torn apart. Rhys laughed it off and knew exactly what I was hinting at, but was appreciative nonetheless. He’d gotten me some books from Daunt I had wanted for a while, and then I gave him a special gift.

“Okay, so this isn’t something I bought, and it may seem juvenile, but I hope you like it.”

“I’m sure I will,” he said, taking the small package from me.

When he opened it Rhys saw that I’d given him a CD with a handwritten booklet attached. Inside I had written the titles of the songs I’d chosen and how they related to our relationship. I included ten from all types of genres about the days when we were just friends, to themes that reflected our more intimate experiences of late.

When he read them all, touching the paper with his fingertips carefully, he looked up with emotion in his eyes. He quickly looked back down and noted the title,
Ellie and Rhys vol. 1
.

“Volume one. Does that mean there’ll be more?”

I smiled before he read each and every description I had written. Some of them were sweet and fun, like
PDA
by John Legend, but others were serious and held more meaning, like
Us Against the World
by Coldplay. I knew how much Rhys valued music and figured he would enjoy a sneak peek inside my view of our relationship.

After he’d read them all he met my gaze and leaned over to kiss me. My chest warmed as I sensed his mixture of emotions through the kiss, and I knew he loved it, even before he told me.

“This is brilliant. I always wondered what you were thinking in those early days. Thank you, Ellie.”

Rhys put the gift aside, handling it with utmost care before grabbing a flat, square box and placing it in my lap. “This one is very special.”

I lifted the box and saw the way he was looking at me. This was clearly very special and loaded with emotion that caused my heart to lodge in my throat. My nerves made it difficult to tear the paper off, because I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had told him nothing expensive or crazy, and Rhys promised to respect that, but I also knew that Rhys wanted to make me feel special in every way he could. When I saw it, I gasped because it was clearly expensive, but it was also perfect.

Inside the box was a necklace with a pave heart pendant. It was small and understated, just as I prefer, but stunningly covered in tiny diamonds that added elegance. I looked up at him, shocked at the gift. He had been watching me closely with a tight-lipped smile. “Here,” he whispered, his fingers shaking as he tapped the lid of the box. “Read this before you say anything.”

I took the paper and read his handwritten note.

Ellie, I wanted to get you jewelry, but knew it needed to be exactly you. I saw this and thought it perfect; it reminded me of a poem I’ve always loved that I’ve included below. I’ve carried your heart since day one, certain I loved you even then. I hope you’ll wear this and carry my heart too, because while you’ve held it in your possession all this time, I’d love nothing more than for the world to see you wearing it.

Love, Rhys.

Below his handwriting was a copy of e.e. cummings’
I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)
. There’s no way Rhys could have known that was one of my favorite poems, nor could he have known that I barely made it through reading it at Aaron’s funeral, but that was Rhys. He was impeccable; understood me in ways I could never understand myself, and he was constantly a pleasant surprise. I told him about the poem and how much it meant, but the first thing I said was, “I love this and I will gladly wear it. It’s so beautiful, Rhys.” I paused to grab his hand. “Not just the necklace, the message, too.”

He nodded. “Here,” he said scooting closer to me. “Let me put it on for you.”

Rhys removed it from the box and after moving my hair away he slipped it on. Then he knelt in front of me and took it in, touching the pendant with his fingertips before looking into my eyes. “You look nice wearing my heart,” he mentioned shyly.

“It’s nice wearing it. Thank you, sweetheart.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Here, I have one more…and now that you gave me this, I don’t feel bad spending the money.”

“What does that mean?” he asked, his brows bunching together.

“Just open it.”

Rhys removed the wrapping paper that revealed a guidebook for Naples, Italy. At first he seemed confused considering I’d hinted at an expensive gift, but when I instructed him to open the first page, he saw it and looked up with his mouth agape. “You didn’t,” he said.

“I did actually. Have you ever been?”

“No, I’ve been to Rome, but both times were for promotions. Ellie, this is too expensive.” He looked back and forth between me, and the reservations I’d made for a trip.

I shook my head. “No, you don’t get to determine that. I want to take you and it’s a vacation for me, too.”

Rhys gave in and looked back down at the book, flipping through the pages and handling our tickets. Something in the way he held them and pursed his lips told me that it had been a long time since anyone did something special for him, something that wasn’t related to his fame or career. He seemed a little bashful about how touched he was, and then he looked up at me.

“This is wonderful, love. I guess we’re going to Italy,” he smiled broadly.

“We are,” I winked, overjoyed that he let me spoil him for once. “Merry Christmas, Rhys.”

“Happy Christmas, Ellie.”

∞

Later that morning, we Skyped with my parents and Anne. He had sent my parents plane tickets to come visit us, promising to take them to Scotland, but Anne’s gift was the best. The big item had been sitting in her apartment for days with specific instructions not to open until we could video chat. When she unwrapped the large cardboard cut out of Michael Fassbender, she laughed so hard she had to run to pee mid call. It may have been a gift for her, but it felt like a gift for me to see my love and best friend getting along so well.

I also called Max and Julie, since I had always spent Christmas with them, to discover that Rhys had sent them gifts as well. He bought Max signed copies of every James Bond movie and got Julie some signed books she loved. She snatched the phone from Max halfway through the call and asked if I knew about the card he’d sent. I didn’t, but she said it made her cry and that she couldn’t believe how amazing Rhys was. When I begged her to tell me what he had written, she told me I needed to hear it from him.

After hanging up I walked into the living room where Rhys was watching
A Christmas Story
. He looked up as I entered and muted it when I sat beside him.

“I’ve always loved this movie,” he said, avoiding eye contact. He knew I’d been on the phone with my pseudo in-laws.

“Really, I find it obnoxious,” I smirked. I was being playful in the hope that he would see my mood was light.

“How were they?” He looked over to me.

“They were good,” I smiled.