thesterlingmoran
If there was still a heaven waiting to open its gate’s for them, they were fairly certain that on the other side of those gates they would find Delilah waiting there for them, arms opened wide, smile on her lips, looking just as she was now, for this truly felt like something divine. It went even beyond all of the private moments of paradise they had shared before, because this was all truth. No more lies between them. Everything laid bare on the table. And yet they were both still choosing to try for something together, despite the challenges they would face, despite the risks. It was worth it all for a taste of heaven on Earth, they were certain she felt just the same way, and they were both determined for something greater, determined to make this unlike any of the stories. Neither of them were exactly what they were ever meant to be, after all.
The tweaking of the Bible verse made them laugh, their smile more real than it had been in the time since they had last spoken to her. Her arms wrapped around their neck, and they pulled her a little closer again, unable to stop touching her now that they had started doing so again.
“How could I ever disappointed with anything you give me?” they asked, fingers moving to her cheek, caressing lightly. “Rich English lady, or not, it doesn’t change everything we’ve shared. Like you said, Esmeralda is a part of you, and Sterling is a part of me. Everything I said to you is real, and I know that the same is true for you. I think perhaps it’s all even stronger now that we’re both able to be fully honest, now that we know both the light and dark of each other.”
The feeling of her fingers against their skin, tracing their features, memorizing them all over again now that they were truly acquainted, everything laid out on the table. Still, her question, telling them that she wanted to be with them in her home, made their heart speed up with excitement and anticipation. It was hard to believe this was all happening now, after so long dreaming of being able to truly know her, to be with her outside of the Moulin, that it almost didn’t feel real. Yet here she was, telling them she wanted to fall asleep with them in her own bed, to wake next to them, to have breakfast in the morning. To have something normal. She was right, it was hard to say what tomorrow would bring, but they could have this now, and leave the figuring out of reality for later. Now was a time to just be with each other.
“I cannot imagine leaving you, Delilah,” they said with a fond smile, unable to get over how beautiful her name felt on their lips, how beautiful it was to finally call her by it. “I want to wake up with my arms around you, I want you to be the first thing I see when I open my eyes. Can you believe all of this? I’ve dreamt of this for so long, and here we are now, standing in your home. Delilah and Stephen.”
Delilah had always been a practical woman. She had been raised to be. Everything she did, she analysed. Pros and cons, opportunities and threats. That was just how she lived her life; the safest way she could think of. Safety was something she needed as a business woman, especially when all her competitors were men. She couldn’t take too many risks. It was that kind of mentality what had led her to create Esmeralda - and perhaps it was partly thanks to Esmeralda that she had met Sterling. It was impossible for her to deny her rational half, because it was because of that she was there, standing in front of them, ironically ready to take the biggest risk of her life. They were going to be consequences, obviously. As much power her family had, she couldn’t just waltz into the next fundraiser gala with someone like Sterling besides her. It wouldn’t be long before someone found out about them, and even if they somehow managed to keep the circumstances of their meeting a secret, the fact that they were an american with a last name of no real consequence was enough to cause her reputation to fall.
She couldn’t care less.
That was definitely a thought she wasn’t used to having. She had everything to lose, and she was willing. “You must know one thing. If we do this, if we even manage to pull this off, there’s a solid chance I will lose everything I own. This home, my fortune, my job - everything. I know I sound like a safe bet right now, but you need to realise it’s very likely that by the end of this, I will be the one with nothing to offer you.” How frustrating it was that she had to warn them about this. If she had been a man, it wouldn’t have been a problem. However, Delilah had gotten too used to the unfairness of the world. “But you should also know that I’m very skilled. I have my own money. It’s not a lot, at least not like this, but I can make do. So even if we end up penniless, I will always have your back.”
Perhaps it wasn’t the most romantic thing she could have said, but romance had never fed anyone. There was going to be time for grand gestures and poems. This was about knowing each other, every single bit that they had been hiding before - and this was who she was, practical, and willing to risk everything for love.
“Delilah and Stephen.”, she repeated, fondness clear in her smile. One of her hands moved to her hair, and she undid her hairdo, letting the dark waves fall down her back. Slowly, she stood on her toes and kissed their lips softly; as if this was her first time doing it. In a way it was, she supposed. The kiss was brief, but confident, full of promise. “I love you, Stephen.”












