The Gravity Engine (11 page)

‘I did it,’ she said, her voice full of triumph.

‘You did,’ he said.

She pulled at his hands and he moved closer. She closed her eyes and remained unmoving for a moment. She released his hand, slipped it behind his head, and pulled him in so quickly that he was kissing her before he knew what was happened. He stiffened with shock, then fell into the chasm of joy that was the feeling of being with her again. He put his arms around her and held her as she massaged the back of his head and ran her fingers through his hair. Her hand slipped onto his cheek and she pulled back to see him, her eyes full of doubt.

‘I probably can’t have children,’ she said.

‘I don’t care,’ he said.

‘You’re Immortal and I’m just a weak and mortal human.’

‘I don’t care.’

‘I’ll be permanently disabled, I’ll never be as strong as I was
—’

‘Clarissa,
my love.’ He cut her off. ‘I
don’t care
. All I care about is you, and I want to be with you. Always.’

‘
Are you really sure, Michael?’

‘
I’ve never been more sure of anything. I want to be with you for the rest of your life. Do you still want to be with me?’

She took a deep breath and her eyes sparkled with tears. ‘Always.’

He kissed her again and tasted her tears, and something rang like a great bell deep inside him. This was the real Clarissa. This was her. There was no doubt.

She rested her forehead on his. ‘Always.’ She pulled back to smile into his eyes. ‘Hey.’

‘Hmm?’

‘I’ve really missed flying. Take me out, please?’

‘What, right now?’

She nodded.

He picked her up out of the chair like a child and carried her out of his office. She put her arms around his neck and smiled, the tears running down her face.

‘Hold on tight!’ he shouted, and shot straight into the air.

She shrieked with delight, and the skies of the Heavens rang with her peals of laughter.