I’d gasp at its beauty, at its rivers and trees,
I’d stray from the paths, I’d hide among leaves.
I’d tiptoe unseen, under sun and sky blue,
I’d search every corner until I found you.
I’d capture a tear, catch a glimpse of your hair,
As you danced and you twirled, without any care.
You’d smile and you’d laugh, like a bird you’d be free,
I’d try not to cry, you’re there without me.
I’d stay my hand from touching your face,
From calling your name, to feel your embrace.
You’d open your mouth and your voice would be pure,
I’d treasure the sound, no more pain you’d endure.
I’d stay ‘til the sunset, when I’d have to leave,
A pain in my heart, my spirit in grief.
I’d blow you a kiss, let it drift to the sky,
I’d whisper ‘I love you’ and bid you goodbye.
I'd pass through the door, I’d descend out of view,
Knowing that one day, some day, I’d again be with you.”
Elsie trailed off, her voice breaking toward the end. While I sat here in silence, stunned silence, my cheeks wet with tears.
Elsie blinked, then blinked again, and squeezed at my hand. She didn’t say anything to me; I didn’t say anything to her, but we sat here, holding each other, both raw at her words.
Minutes passed by, until Elsie switched positions and lay back upon the pillow beside me. Her eyes were shimmering, completely vulnerable. I’d spoken before I’d even had the thought. “Stay,” I hushed out, my hand on her cheek. “Stay with me, here.”
Elsie sucked in a breath and gripped my wrist. “Levi—”
“Please,” I begged, knowing I’d break if she left. “Stay here. With me. Just be my girl.”
“What would I do?” she whispered, her frightened eyes searching mine.
“I’ve already spoken to Lexi. She wants to show you her treatment center. She wants to see if you can help her with something… if you’re ready. Only when you’re ready.”
“Her treatment center?” she questioned. Hope sprung in my heart hearing the interest in her voice. “I don’t understand.”
“I know,” I replied. “But I want Lexi to show you, to explain to you why she opened such a place… and why she wants you there.”
Her eyes seemed to flare with the same hope I held in my chest, then her eyes dropped, when she whispered, “Levi, there are things you don’t know about me… things that have made me the way I am. That I haven’t told you, that haunt me.”
“I know,” I said in understanding, “but if you just give us time, if you stay, maybe one day we’ll know everything about each other. Maybe we’ll be it for each other.”
She paused, then exhaled, nodding her head. Relief flooded through me and I crushed my mouth to hers. When I pulled back, Elsie was breathless and she whispered, “You’re stealing my soul, Levi. Like a thief, you’re taking my soul and making it your own.”
I felt the heat rise to my face as I rasped back, “I think you already have mine.” I felt Elsie freeze when I said, “In fact, I think they are already twinned.”
Elsie kissed me again and I wrapped her in my arms. As I closed my eyes, I whispered, “Bella mia.”
“Your new favorite Italian words,” Elsie hushed out, sleep taking hold.
My favorite everything, I wanted to add. But we both fell asleep—together—before I could.
Chapter Thirteen
Elsie
“Am I dressed okay?”
Lexi smiled at me as we drove through the city and she nodded her head. “Of course, sweetie.”
I pulled the sleeves of my black shirt over my palms and stared out of the window. It was three days since Levi and I had made love; made love and I had promised him I would stay.
Lexi had come to me the next day and asked me to help her with something at her treatment center. I’d agreed to come today to find out what it was, but I didn’t know anymore than that.
The radio played quietly in the background. After ten minutes, we pulled into a long drive, trees lining each side. My mouth gaped at the beautiful gardens, then a huge white house came into view.
Lexi pulled into the car parking spot directly in front of the door and she got out. I followed her lead, smiling as soon as I got out. The sound of birds and flowing water were the only things I heard.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, smiling at a wooden gazebo overlooking what I suspected to be water. The river maybe?
Lexi stood beside me and looked at the view. “It is. It’s my favorite out of my two centers.”
I frowned in confusion. Lexi clearly saw. “I have two, Elsie. One here and one in San Francisco where we lived before.” Lexi pointed to the stunning wooden mansion behind us. “We had more funding when we came here, and Austin was being paid more, of course. So we could make this center be more than the other. We could have more than one focus.”
I stared up at the lettering on the building, reading, ‘Daisy’s Smile.’ “Who’s Daisy?” I asked and caught the flash of pain race across Lexi’s face.