So sorry to make you wait so long for the update!! But I've made this chapter extra long to make up for it!! Enjoy! x

Caroline was on the edge of consciousness. She could tell it was morning as the sound of the birds came twittering through the half opened window, and bright, golden sunlight shone through the glass, pooling across the floorboards until it reached the bed. Caroline turned and felt that something else was in the bed next to her, or rather someone. She opened her confused eyes, and she found lying next to her was a sleeping Anders. Caroline smiled to herself at the sweet familiarity of this routine, which they had developed soon after what had happened to Sarah. The memory of that night, full of mixed and intense emotions, played before her as she closed her eyes again, allowing herself to remember it clearly.

How did this happen? Surely this isn't real…it has to be some terrible, horrid nightmare…isn't it? Oh God please make it stop! Make it all go away!

If I could just stop crying. Just stop crying. …Oh what's the use? I can't pretend that I'm just going to wake up and everything will be alright again. It'll never be alright again, how could it be? My daughter, my little, sweet, lovely, baby girl….gone. Gone forever.

I can't do this….I can't handle this.

Caroline had spent the last few hours thinking about it over and over again, like a record on a continuous loop, tormenting her, eating away at her inside. Sarah was gone, snatched away from the living world so fast that neither Caroline nor any of the family could make the connection in their minds. But it had suddenly hit Caroline as she lay in bed, alone and scared, and it had hit hard. She was devastated, and far more aware of the fact that she was alone. The room seemingly far too big for just one person. Hating the blood chilling silence as she sat up on her bed in the encroaching darkness.

She couldn't stand being alone in the prison that was her room any longer. She threw off her bed covers, strode over to the door opening it slowly, the old wood creaking as she did so, and stepped slowly out into the hallway. She unconsciously started walking down the hallway, and a few seconds later, she realised that she had stopped just in front of Anders' bedroom door.

She didn't know how long she stood there, debating whether or not to go inside, but it was long enough to allow herself to think about what she was doing. She knew she would be risking so much. Her relationship with Anders might no longer be just a friendship, she suspected that he could react badly and ask her to leave, she knew that what she was doing wasn't fair on him because of the way he felt about her, she risked letting him in for the first time, and she knew that she might get her heart broken as a result.

Taking all of that into consideration, she just couldn't be alone with her thoughts right now. She needed someone to be beside her. She needed that comfort that she knew only too well that he, and no one else, could give her. He was her best friend, and she marvelled at how close that they had become in so short a time. They were so close it was almost intimate. Part of her told her that it was also due to the fact that they had strong feelings for each other, whether they knew what those feelings were or not.

A friendship like theirs was rare. They were inseparable, they knew each other inside out, they could tell what the other was feeling just by looking at them, and they, more often than not, finished each other's sentences. They were always so comfortable with each other that they could say anything that was on their minds, they were very tactile with one another, and when they stood together they were usually less than a foot apart.

Anyone on the outside would have thought that they were a couple by the way they looked at each other, and how physically and mentally close they were, always laughing together, their hands and shoulders constantly brushing or touching, always a sparkle of something in their eyes when in each other's company. But those who were closer to them, even though they knew and saw what they felt for each other, could also see a huge line between them that neither would cross unless clearly encouraged by the other.

Caroline knew that 'the line' had been deteriorating for a while now. All it took was one final push and then there would be no going back to the other side. If she crossed it now, if she opened the door that had been separating them for so long, it would be too late to go back. She had been opening doors inside herself ever since she first met Anders, and had been learning to close others that she had found so difficult to let go and forget. And after all that time, here she stood, at the very last door. She had the key, she had had it for a long time, but she had been too afraid to use it and unlock that door, because she was scared of what she would find waiting for her on the other side.

She made her decision. She took a small step back from the door, took a deep breath, and as quietly and carefully as she could, she circled her slender hand around the door handle and opened the final door. Once she had closed the door gently behind her, she turned and saw Anders lying there asleep, wrapped up in his duvet, his chest rising and falling with each breath he took. "Adorable," she thought.

She crept closer to get a better look at his face. He looked so peaceful and yet his features were exhausted and deeply lined under his eyes. He obviously had a lot of trouble getting to sleep that night too. Caroline's back found the wall and began to side down it until she reached the wooden floor. She would have thought that the floor would be cold, but even if it was she wouldn't have noticed. He gave off so much warmth with his eyes, even with just his presence, that she could be sitting in the middle of a snowstorm and she wouldn't care enough to feel the cold. She sat there watching him sleep; her anxiety and fear vanished as soon as she laid eyes on his sleeping form. After a few minutes Anders half opened his eyes; he had the feeling that he was being watched by something, and it unsettled him a little. His eyes adjusted to the surrounding darkness, and suddenly he became aware of a being sitting in his room, not two meters away. His whole body suddenly jerked awake and he sat bolt upright, a surprised yell escaping him.

"Gahh!...Caroline? What are you doing here, you almost gave me a heart attack?!" He exclaimed in a loud whisper.

Caroline gave him a small, sad smile and said, "I couldn't sleep, I couldn't be alone tonight…I'm sorry if I startled you, but I just needed to have someone near me. Your presence just makes me feel better, calmer, makes me feel like I can just about cope in terrible situations. Even if they seem hopeless."

Anders gave her a compassionate look. "Sarah?"

"Yeah," she said with a puff of mirthless laughter, her head in her hands.

"Oh sweetheart… I'm so sorry… I still can't believe that this has happened."

Tears began to well up in Caroline's eyes, "M-Me neither." A few tears rolled down her cheeks, for once not caring if anyone saw them.

Anders lifted up part of his duvet, gesturing for her to climb into bed with him. Caroline didn't even have to think twice before she slipped in next to him and cuddled up to his warm frame, her tears flowing freely and silently. They didn't say anything, they didn't need to; they knew each other so well that so much could be said without a single word between them. They staid in the same position until morning light, Anders' arms holding her close to him, supporting her as much as he could, and Caroline peaceful for the first time in years, finding it easy to fall asleep in his arms, taking in his scent and warmth.

Caroline opened her eyes again and studied Anders' features. He always looked so shaggy in the mornings. Well, more than usual anyway. His hair was sticking up in all different directions, with strands flopping over his forehead, just reaching his eyebrows. His features were soft, with a corner of his mouth slightly turned up into a sleepy smile, that she knew was due to a good dream he was having or just simply her being there. His chest rising and falling with each breath, with warmth radiating from his entire being. This was 'Morning Anders.'

She had come to deeply love and adore all these different aspects of Anders, whether he be, 'Shy Anders', 'Morning Anders', 'Cheeky Anders', 'Feisty Anders', 'Flirty Anders', 'Brave Anders', 'Loving Anders', 'Funny Anders', or even 'Angry Anders.' She also had to admit that she especially loved 'Jealous Anders', as it made her feel special and exceedingly valuable to this wonderful man.

Filled with a sudden rush of affection towards him, Caroline leaned in to place a gentle kiss onto Anders' lips. He stirred as she began to draw away, and placed a hand on the back of her head to deepen the kiss, a small, rumbling chuckle vibrating in his chest, which he knew always made Caroline's heart melt, along with the weakening of her knees. They pulled back from each other, both a little breathless.

"Morning," she said sleepily.

"Morning gorgeous," he replied with a large grin breaking across his face.

"We should really get up you know. Danny will be needing you to help him."

Anders grimaced and protested, "Nooo, few more minutes with you, please sweetheart." He begged, giving her his best puppy-dog eyes, which he knew she couldn't say 'no' to.

"Oh-ho no! You are not going to get me that easily Mister!" She threatened.

"Oh Puh-leeease Caroline." he begged again as he went for plan B, and started running his fingers up and down the middle of her spine, the puppy-dog look replaced with a glint of mischievousness.

"Damn him!" she thought, as she struggled to think clearly while he was distracting her like that. She managed to wriggle free of his hold, although she immediately missed the warmth of him. She stood up, smoothed down her nightwear, consisting of a strappy top with one of Anders' shirts covering her shoulders, and a pair of pyjama shorts, and looked at Anders with a stare that said 'You don't want to argue with me right now.' Anders cowered a bit from her stare, but still maintained his cheeky grin, and mischievous eyes. He took in her appearance, his heart skipping a few beats as he did so; he loved seeing her in her pyjamas.

"You do realise how devastatingly cute you are wearing my shirt don't you?" his grin widened when she blushed and her stare faltered a little. Her lips curved into a flirtatious smile as she placed her hands on his thighs where he was now sitting up on the bed, his feet firmly on the wooden floor. She leaned in to whisper in his ear, "Yes I do, which is why I can make you do anything I want you to do, without really having to try…Handsome."

She kissed him in the sensitive bit below his ear right, right in-between his jaw and neck. Anders shuddered, his heart beating a little faster than was deemed healthy. But he suddenly turned the tables on her as he grabbed hold of her slender waist and twisted her round until she was lying back on the mattress with him standing over, pinning her down onto it. He leaned down so that his face was just an inch or two from hers and whispered "I beg to differ, you devious little minx." It was Caroline's turn to shudder this time. She suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around Anders' neck, kissing him hard, snaking her legs around his waist as Anders scooped her off the bed and into his arms. Caroline drew back to look into his eyes, which were lit up with a fiery passion for her, her own eyes mirroring his. Anders placed her down gently onto the ground, and laid his forehead against hers.

"I love you." He said it barely above a whisper.

"I love you too." She reached up on her tip-toes and kissed him once more before letting go, turning Anders by his shoulders and moving him towards their en-suite bathroom.

"Come on now, we really do have to get ready, go brush your teeth, I'm going to get dressed." She ordered gently.

"Yes, Mistress," he said before turning to her and bowing low, "Your wish is my command." Anders was met by a slipper in the shoulder, as Caroline laughed incredulously and glared at him. That was a look that said, "Ooh you are pushing your luck today!"

Anders smiled cheekily at her, reached for the toothpaste, and began to search for his dark blue tooth brush around the sink, but found it to be missing. "Caroline, do you know where my tooth brush is?" he called as he opened the bathroom door. He wasn't prepared for what he saw, and as a result he dropped the toothpaste onto the floor, his mouth agape, and his striking eyes wide with shock. Caroline stood with her eyes intent on reading the ingredients on the back of a tube of moisturising cream, in nothing but her underwear and Anders' shirt. She had obviously put his shirt back over her to keep her warm, but Anders didn't care too much about that at the moment, because she looked drop dead sexy in his, and many other males', opinion. Anders' eyes travelled up and down her slender figure, never blinking. Caroline finally noticed what she was doing to him, as she looked up at his stunned expression. She tried desperately not to laugh or smile, but she just couldn't help it. She loved that she had such an effect on him, and that she was so desired by him.

"Anders?" No movement.

"Anders!" He jumped a little at the sound of her voice, and his eyes snapped up to meet her gaze. "S-Sorry, I was a little…distracted."

"I can see that." She giggled, teasingly walked over to him and placed her hands on either side of the door frame where he stood frozen to the spot, making her actions deliberate. Anders raised an eyebrow and attempted to take his eyes off of her, but it was no use, "The woman is just too damned gorgeous!" he thought, utterly defeated.

"Now…What was it you asked me?" she said softly.

"I...erm…I don't remember." He said with a nervous laugh.

"Oh that's a shame; I guess we'll just have to stay here like this until you do remember."

"Oh Caroline stop it now."

"Stop what?" She faked a confused expression.

"You know what!" It took all the effort he had, but he managed to force his eyes to look into hers, winning the silent battle between them. Anders gave her a defiant look and turned away from her, very reluctantly mind you. Caroline let out a very girly giggle, the one that Anders always became weak for, gently pushed him aside and reached into a draw to retrieve his tooth brush.

"Here." She winked at him and turned to leave the bathroom.

"Thanks," he said with a smitten grin. He shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts and concentrate on the job at hand rather than on his fiancée's figure. "God I love that word!" he thought while smiling to himself. "Fiancée." He murmured to himself as his smile grew wider.

After both of them had finally got dressed, that is after some kissing, teasing and giddy laughter, they were ready to face the day and get some work done. Caroline was about to open their bedroom door when suddenly Anders caught her outstretched hand, and brought it up to his lips to kiss her delicate fingers. Caroline felt her heart melt when he looked up at her with those big, beautiful, coral blue eyes of his, shimmering with mischief and life.

"You know what…Mornings are so much fun with you. I find myself looking forward to waking up next to you, and starting this bizarre, yet lovely routine all over again," he said softly with a hint of emotion in his voice.

Caroline looked adoringly at him and placed a lingering kiss on his cheek. "Likewise; I know I'm going to miss this so much when I…you know."

She could see a flicker of sadness sweep across his eyes for a second, "I know…But don't worry, I'll make sure to wake you up every morning by calling you, I might even wake you up earlier, say four in the morning, just to spend more time talking to you." He said struggling not to smile, but as always his eyes betrayed his true feelings.

"If you do that, you won't have any more mornings at all Mister!" She mockingly threatened him, poking his chest with her index finger.

Anders laughed, placed his arm around her shoulders, lovingly kissed her forehead, and cheekily said, "Sorry your highness," and he ran for his life.

"Why you little!!" ….

Please R&R!!

I'd love to know what you think of this chapter :) Constructive criticism is welcome!!