A Sanctuary for Elle

by Anna Jane

  'I'm just happy. You make me happy.'

  'Same.' Mark's gaze grew more serious and he went about bringing her body alive.

  Later as they lay naked and sated in bed, Mark propped himself on one elbow halfway down her body. His hand stroked the still flat stomach that held their precious baby.

  'You are one lucky baby' he murmured in dulcet tones, 'you've got a Mummy and Daddy who already love you beyond words, we're going to live in a beautiful place with everything you could wish for and you have two people who are very much in love. Our house will be filled with happiness and joy. I promise you, we will take care of you, protect you, keep you safe and love you always. You're a lucky baby, and I, little one, am a lucky man.' Mark kissed Elle gently and they fell asleep in others arms.

  As Elle drifted off she saw her Grandmother, 'Nen.' In Elles's dream she was looking down on them and smiling. Nen was happy.

  Epilogue

  Mark and Elle strolled along by the headland, hand in hand. Life was blissful. They were both happier than they had been in years. Elle looked up into Mark's eyes and smiled at him. He smiled back, warm and friendly as always. He had settled into home life so quickly. He was not even surprised that he felt so content. This was what he had needed for so long now.

  Up in the field ahead a little boy ran about in the heather, happy and squealing. Sam was an absolute joy and brought more to their lives than he would ever know. Born two weeks early, his birth had been nerve-racking. The moment he had arrived had changed Elle and Mark immediately. It had taught them that there was suddenly someone in their lives who came first, who needed them irrevocably.

  His first year had been a myriad of firsts, so exciting when he did something new. His second year had been fun and full of laughter as he developed a cheeky sense of humour in all situations. They now were enjoying him in his third year as he began to speak more coherently and was interested in everything. If only for a minute, he was interested. As Sam frolicked in the field, running around and chasing the butterflies Mark stopped and turned to Elle. 'Thank you Elle.'

  'For what?'

  'For making me so happy,' he replied.

  'Well, the same goes. You've made me so incredibly happy Mark. We have a beautiful son, each other, a wonderful home and The Sanctuary is busy and popular, everything it was in Nen's days. She would have been so happy.'

  'I'm sure she's looking down smiling.'

  'I know she is.'

  Elle smiled at Mark, enjoying the moment. 'Mark, there's something else as well I want to tell you. Well, you're going to be daddy again.'

  'I..you're pregnant? Again? Oh Elle! That's amazing news!'

  And Mark scooped her up and swung her round till they were both dizzy. Confused at the sudden activity, Sam ran over to them shouting. 'Daddy! Daddy! What doing?'

  Mark scooped Sam up son he held him on one side and Elle on the other, 'Mummy has something to tell you Sammy.'

  'Sweetheart, do you remember Mummy telling you about when you were in my tummy. Well, Mummy just found out that she is having another baby. You're going to have a little brother or sister!'

  'Sister please, Mummy,' was Sam's response.

  Elle and Mark laughed, their heads falling back in joy. Nen looked down and smiled, her granddaughter had created a beautiful family and a beautiful home at Sanctuary.

  THE END.