Pullo was no fool where women were concerned. He knew he was crossing the battle lines, purchasing such a gift for Lesley when she pretended so hard that she wasn’t interested in him. But he was interested in her, most interested. He felt sure she’d refuse the engagement, but perhaps he could convince her to accept the ring anyway. If she wore it, he could wear her down. He was good at persuasion.

He was bold, a soldier of Rome, courageous but deep inside, terrified she would not even open the door for him. He carefully kicked snow from his boots, reached deep into his pocket to finger the two small gifts then drew in a deep breath. What was it General Maximus always said?

“Strength and honor,” he sighed and knocked.

“Mr. Pullo!” squealed little Valerie with a smile that brought an easy grin to his face.

“Merry Christmas, little love. I come bearing gifts. Your lovely mother home?”

“Yes! She’s in the living room.”

Valerie politely offered to take his coat but he didn’t relinquish, winking and whispering. “Mother might just send me away so I think I’ll keep it. Come, I have a present for you, little love.”

Valerie skipped happily and he followed, swallowed hard at the shivering form on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket and pale, but Lesley actually smiled.

“Mr. Pullo. You have more vineyard questions?”

“Ah … no. No. I … I came to bring you and Valerie your Christmas gifts. A day late, I know, but family … obligations and all.” He sat on a large chair and tried to smile. “Are you well?”

“I’m fine. Valerie made hot chocolate, would you like some?”

“Oh, right. I would, but first, I’d like to give her the gift … with your permission of course, Lesley.”

“Sure,” Lesley groaned softly, straightened herself on the cushions and invited her daughter, now with gift in hand, to sit beside her. “Let’s see what you got, honey.”

Her eyes shot to Pullo’s, having instantly recognized the velvet box. It came from Bronson’s, Stowe’s finest jeweler and her suspicions rose. Her mouth opened to protest but Pullo’s eyes begged and she remained silent as Valerie gasped.

“Oh! Oh! Lookie mom! Look at this! It’s a big girl necklace. It’s so beautiful!”

Lesley fingered the tiny filigree heart encrusted with a tiny real diamond chip. “This is a very big girl necklace. Mr. Pullo, are you sure about giving her such a gift?”

“I am,” he said as he knelt close, carefully clipped the chain around Valerie’s neck then touched the pretty heart. “It’s special, isn’t it? Just like you are, little love.”

“Thank you, Mr. Pullo! Oh mommy! Can I wear it to the party? Please, please, please!”

“I suppose so, but Valerie, you must be careful with it. This is something for you to have your whole life. Now, get Mr. Pullo some hot chocolate before Mrs. Hatcher gets here. You don’t want to be late for the party, now do you?” The moment the girl was out of earshot she turned a glare at Pullo and he visibly braced for what was to come. It was almost laughable but she held her scowl and hissed. “That was terribly expensive … maybe a bit inappropriate for a little girl, don’t you think?”

He stood, looked down and spoke softly. “No, I don’t think it was too expensive or inappropriate. A child like Valerie deserves to know how special she is … and I know in my heart you agree with me. I wanted her to have something lovely, so she’d know she’s lovely … as lovely as her mother.” He returned to his chair and sighed, wondering if she’d ever let him give her the ring. He had no clue that giving a gift could be so difficult.

But where the ring was concerned … was he really giving a gift? Or asking for one? Perhaps he should’ve thought the whole thing through a bit more. His head tilted and he accepted cocoa from Valerie, said his farewells as the girl bundled then bustled from the house; he listened to the clock on the mantle tick and watched Lesley. Her mind was working, he could tell by the softness of her expression. He watched and he waited. Patience … not his strength but he knew better than to force ahead with this situation.

Lesley had been thinking of Pullo non-stop for days. Her mind reviewed the moment they met, how he cared for her the other day, how her empty car arrived with a full tank, polished and detailed. How he responded to Valerie. The gentleness in his big hands, in his deep blue eyes. No, it wasn’t the time in her life for a man like Titus Pullo. Maybe she was never ready for the likes of him … but it was a time for honesty. She was surprised to see him at the house, as it was her full intention to call him as soon as Valerie left. What she was about to propose was preposterous, insane … but then again, everything about him seemed to fit that scenario. What did she have to lose?

“Can I ask you a few questions, Mr. Pullo.”

“Sure, if you call me Pullo. I prefer it to Mr. Pullo. Sounds so formal and I’m not the formal sort. Ask away.” He settled elbows on knees and watched her squirm. “No worries, love. Whatever your questions, I’ve got answers. Go on. Ask.”

“Alright,” she sighed. “I can only assume that you like me, am I correct?”

He grinned. “Lesley, I like you very much.” He wanted to say a lot more, but it was her turn to ask the questions and he’d wait.

“And, you seem to like Valerie, right?”

He leaned back. “Yes, love.” He swallowed hard, unable to keep his own promise to sit tight and listen. “I have no concerns about you having a child; she’s a delight, a loving little girl. Becoming involved with a single mother is not a worry, Lesley.”

“How involved, Pullo?”

His heart raced. “As involved as possible, Lesley. I … I know it might not be rational, but I … love you. Loved you the minute you walked into my life, shouting about, angry and irritated and all.” He grinned, reached into his pocket but her next words stopped him.

“Pullo, I have a proposal. If you … love me enough, maybe you’ll consider this. If you don’t like this idea, it’s fine, really. I can work something else out. Somehow.”

He shifted to the sofa, sat and watched her. “What’s all this about, love?”

“Oh God,” tears blurred her vision but she sighed, looked into his eyes. “Just … just hear me out, okay? Don’t say anything until I’ve finished.”

He nodded.

“Okay. Pullo, I have … I’m …” she swallowed hard. Lesley had never yet said the words. “I’m dying.” She watched his eyes cloud, waver, then refocus. “I have cancer; a brain tumor that’s inoperable and growing fast.” She panted for breath, determined to say it all as quickly as possible. “They tell me I have a month, maybe a little more … maybe a little less. These headaches, I ignored them for so long … but it wouldn’t have mattered. So ...” she sniffled and watched his hands twitch. “My problem is Valerie. See, I have no family, no sisters or brothers, my parents died years ago. I haven’t seen or spoken to Valerie’s father since the one and only night I was with him. I have no one, Pullo. No one to take care of her, to love her.” Tears slid down her cheek. “So, I have a really stupid, really crazy idea and I’m thinking that maybe, just maybe you can help me.”

He nodded again, as no words would come.

“Pullo, if you like me, maybe even love me a little … could you … maybe … marry me? Adopt Valerie? I know, oh God, believe me I know that what I’m asking is way too fucking much, but … there are no other options for me. There’s no one for Valerie when I’m gone and I … I … I can’t bear the thought of her going into foster care. Do you think … maybe … after you think about it of course … just maybe you could consider this?”

He slowly stood, took a step toward the door, turned back, ran a hand over his hair then paced slowly. The door; if he walked out that door he could escape the pain growing in his heart. If he remained, he would accept her problem and hopefully help her solve it. But if he sat so near her, he would begin another journey all together. One that would take him through her death, into Valerie’s life as father, tie the child forever to his heart. And he knew already that he would follow his heart.

He looked out the window, at the direction the car had taken Valerie to her party. “Does she know?” his voice croaked.

“No. I’m so selfish,” Lesley sobbed quietly. “I want her to be here with me, be happy until I’m gone. But they tell me it could go badly. I could get confused and angry. Oh God,” her face buried in her hands and his body shifted along with his mind.

He sat beside her, scooped her carefully onto his lap and rocked her close. “Hush, now. Not selfish. And we’ll take care of you, love. You’ll have nothing to be confused or angry about. We’ll be here. With you every minute.” Tears soaked his face. He’d had a chance to run but didn’t, wouldn’t … couldn’t. The woman he loved was dying and she needed him. What sacrifice was caring for Valerie? Nothing. Easy. Not the first child he’d watched over, raised, loved. Vorenus’ children were the joy of his life. His own son, golden. Valerie held the promise of stability for Pullo.

But his heart? His bleeding, broken heart? Why could he not have time with Lesley? Why did it have to be like this? But the truth was the truth and could not be changed. This is how it was. He lowered his mouth and kissed her tenderly. The kiss was long and loving, powerful and filled with his answer. He reached into his pocket and handed her the gift.