The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Anastasia rested her chin in her hands and sighed, "I never thought I'd end up taking over the company. The Mortons are a weird bunch, and my dad's illness was so sudden. Now, it all depends on whether Sandy will loosen the reins. From what I've seen, Sandy seems to

be the one in charge."

"The one who almost died from leukemia, right?"

"Yep." Anastasia groaned, rubbing her aching lower back. "Let's see when they decide to show up tomorrow. Herman, my back's killing me."

"I'll give you a rub," Herman offered. "Soak your feet first, then head to the room. I'll work on your back."

Just what she needed.

"Sounds perfect."

Anastasia dried off her feet with a contented smile, about to slip on her shoes when Herman bent down and scooped her up in his arms. "You think I'd let you walk even this short distance?" Their suite had a cozy bedroom and a living area, with two beds in the bedroom.

Herman gently laid her on one of the beds, and Anastasia sprawled out face down. "Ready when you are."

Ever since her car accident years ago, Anastasia often suffered from back pain. During her pregnancy, the added weight only made it worse, and she struggled to walk for any length of time. Herman straddled her calves, lifted her shirt up carefully, and warmed his palms before starting the massage.

His touch wouldn't be cold against her.

Anastasia relaxed into the bed, her mind drifting to the day they had signed their divorce papers. It was unimaginable then that she'd be here with Herman now.

Every day they had together was hard-won, and Anastasia cherished it.

Out of the blue, Herman said, "I talked to my dad about us having a wedding."

Anastasia tensed up a bit. "How did you bring that up with your dad?"

She hadn't even considered having a wedding and felt a little... daunted by the idea.

"Honey, I want you to walk down the aisle with pride, straight through the front door of the Salstrom estate," Herman's voice was earnest and tender. "Your name will be added to the Salstrom family tree." Anastasia fell silent, staring at the ground, unsure how to respond.

After a moment, she turned over to face him, lying on her back. "And what did your dad say? Did he agree?"

"He told me it was my decision to make." Herman continued to massage her sore legs as he spoke. "My dad's come around to the idea."

Anastasia was surprised; after all, she had hurt Grannie Anita deeply.

Sensing her thoughts, Herman's deep gaze softened, and he said lovingly, "Anastasia, life at best spans seventy years. When I met you, I was already thirty. That leaves just forty years, minus the ten for old age, and then cut in half for the nights, leaving only fifteen years. Take away the time we spend apart for work, the misunderstandings, the occasional catch-ups with friends, and the actual days we have together are precious few."

His heartfelt declaration made Anastasia's heart flutter. "Where did you get that line? Sounds awfully familiar."

"Honey, it doesn't matter where the line came from. What's in my heart is unique and true," Herman said with a deep, resonant voice. "I want to cherish every minute with you, so that when we're old, we have no regrets. Some things, we should do while we're young, while we still have the madness in us."

He sat atop her, her lying on the bed, their position laden with intimacy. If it weren't for Anastasia's time of the month, sparks would fly.

Her gaze dropped to her flat belly, and she murmured, "Herman, this time, I might not be able to get pregnant again. I think my luck's run out."

"I've considered what you're worried about, and I've discussed it with my dad. If our marriage in the future needs a child to hold it together, then I've failed," Herman said tenderly, caressing Anastasia's stomach.

Once, it had carried his son, once he had felt a life kick under his touch.

"The end of love isn't the birth of a child, but the end of life. I don't want to be trapped in the dark for the sake of societal expectations. Anastasia, marry me."

As he spoke, Herman produced a rose, seemingly out of thin air, with a twenty-carat diamond ring nestled in its petals.

Overwhelmed by emotion, Anastasia blurted out, "Who proposes in bed?"

His lips curved in amusement. "That's what makes it unique. If you weren't on your period, I'd even give you a standing ovation for love."

"Herman," Anastasia's cheeks flushed at his words, always so playful.

He leaned in for a kiss, asking, "Will you marry me?"

Anastasia turned her head away, hiding her smile, silent.

He kissed her again. "Marry me?"

He kissed her once more, tickling her until she was laughing through tears. "I will."

Herman slid the ring onto her finger. "Mrs. Salstrom to be, I'm looking forward to the rest of our lives together."

"Ana, I was thinking about your dad, and I'm worried he might..." Salma burst in, flustered, then caught sight of the intimate scene and quickly backed out of the room, muttering apologies.