Page 95 of Perfect Imperfections

“Well, I do have the necessary koala-fications for those.”

He laughed along with her, reaching out his right hand. When she extended her own hand, he grasped it, pulling her to him. Her arms automatically went around his neck.

“Ellie, you give us laughter, friendship, love. You fit into our life perfectly.”

She shook her head. “I’m not perfect. You know that.”

He nodded. “No one is perfect. Me especially.”

He grimaced, brow furrowing as she watched him concentrate hard on what he wanted to say next. She stayed silent, waiting with hopeful anticipation and a fair amount of caution.

“I thought I failed Claire, but it turns out we failed each other.”

She squeezed him gently, encouraging him to continue.

“I didn’t want to make your life worse, make it harder for you, but I realize now I can’t be responsible for other people’s happiness. We each take the love we think we deserve and until you…I guess I thought I didn’t deserve love at all.”

She shook her head, a warm tear slipping down her cheek. If anyone deserved love in this world, it was the wonderful man standing in front of her.

“But then I met you and I started to question everything I ever thought. We’re all a bit damaged. No one gets through life without a few nicks and bruises along the way. But you are perfect for us. You fit. Like puzzle night. We need all of us. All the pieces to come together as one to make the picture. I wouldn’t change one thing about you. Not one. Because when you find the person you love, you love everything about them because it’s what makes them them. And I love you, Eleanor Clark.”

The tears were flowing now. Big fat drops rolling down both cheeks. When her lips parted in a smile, she could taste the salty warmth sliding into her mouth. She was an ugly crier. She knew it, but Sullivan didn’t care. He simply stood there, holding her, gazing at her as if she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. She knew he certainly was to her.

“You love me?”

“With all my heart.”

“I-I love you too.” She could barely get the words out past the emotions choking her. Sullivan loved her! He wanted to lean on her, share with her. He needed her in his life! Never had she felt so awed, so accepted.

“Kiss me, Ellie. Please.”

He didn’t need to beg. She’d gladly do it. She’d been aching to kiss the man for days.

Going up on her toes, Ellie crashed her lips against his. No slow and gentle right now. She couldn’t do it. There was too much stored-up need, too much happiness bursting from her body to be anything but demanding. Sullivan seemed fine with that if his eager participation was any indication. He cupped her face with one hand, tilting her head to better fit their mouths, deepening the angle of the kiss.

“Awwwwk, hello Doll-face!”

Bill’s squawk pulled her out of a lust filled fog. She pulled back from Sullivan just as Cam and Charlotte came back into the room.

“Did you give it to her? Did you give it to her?” Charlotte asked, skipping into the room.

Give what to her? Oh, right. The present. Sullivan still clutched the blue gift bag in his left hand.

“Not yet, Angel. I was waiting for you to get back.”

And too busy kissing her senseless to give her anything, but she wasn’t complaining.

“I take it you made amends?” Cam arched one perfectly sculpted eyebrow.

“Cam.” She grimaced at her friend, but Sullivan just smiled.

“I did indeed.”

“Good.”

“Daddddddyyyyy,” Charlotte gave an exasperated eye roll. “Give her the present.”

He smiled down at his daughter, handing over the blue gift bag. Ellie took it, not even caring what was inside. Sullivan loved her! What more did she need? Opening the bag, she reached in and pulled out a soft blue piece of material. It fell open to reveal a T-shirt with a picture of two large cartoon elephants with a baby elephant between them. Over the elephants were the words We Love You A Ton!

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