"I'm going to speak to my father about this tomorrow, concoct a story to protect you from the backlash. I think blackmail could work well..." He smiled to her gently when she crawled back into the bed, immediately hugging him. He wrapped his arms around her again, eager to hold her, despite everything that she had told him, the biggest thing he wanted right now was to hold her in his arms.

Eventually though, her yawn made them both realize how tired they were. He spoke later than he probably should have in response to her earlier statement. "And I love you too Ella. Anything less, and I probably would have reacted far worse." He nuzzled his head against hers, leaning back with her still in his arms. "Let's go to bed then. I hope you know I'm not letting you go now, not until I want you to. Can't trust you." Clearly, his last sentence was teasing, the tone very specific to make sure she understood that was the meaning.

He reached one arm over to his blanket to pull it over the two of them, before settling into the bed and laying his head ontop of his pillow, staring over at Ella, before planting a single kiss on her lips. It was soft and quick, but it still showed its intent well enough.