Elspeth felt a little moved. "I know. I'll be careful next time." She hung her head low, pouting. "But I defended you. Can't you cut me some slack?"
Callum looked at her bandaged hand and could feel something squeeze his heart. The sight of her injured hand felt more painful than getting hurt himself. "Don't do this next time. You know I would be fine." Arthur was hurling his knife backward, so it was nearly impossible for him to land a blow on Callum. Besides, Callum could fight well and had good reflexes. There was no way Arthur could hurt him.
"But I don't want anything to happen to you. If you were hit, the knife would've gone straight through your heart. I'd rather hurt my own hand to stop that."
Her wound isn't exactly shallow, either. If the knife were to cut a bit deeper, her hand would be done for. Callum took a deep breath and said, "Your safety matters most. No matter what."
Elspeth paused for a moment. Then, she smiled. "What's the second most important thing, then?"
The man blurted, "Our child."
She was surprised he'd say that. "You want a child that much, huh?"
"No. Don't let that weigh on your mind. What I mean is if we have a child, then…"
Elspeth pounced into his embrace and rubbed her head against his chest. Softly, she said, "In that case, we'll have our own child."
Surprised, Callum said, "What did you say?"
"Don't you want a child?"
"I do."
He was telling the truth. Most of his subordinates had gotten married and started raising their own families. He saw a few of their children, and they were adorable. He, too, wanted his own child. Most importantly, he wanted a child with Elspeth, the woman he loved. It would be their bundle of joy. Yet, when Elspeth brought it up, his heart still raced a little.
Callum held her unhurt hand. Slowly, he said, "Do you actually want a child with me, or do you just want to make me happy? I'd be delighted if it's the former, but if it's the latter, then it's best you think things through. I'm fine if we don't have kids. It's not—"
"I've known you for four years, Callum." Elspeth rested her head against his chest. "I know you too well. Yes, part of the reason is that I want to make you happy." He's always been the one to make me happy. I don't mind doing something for him.
"You won't regret this?"
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