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From the whirlwind of emotions, there was one which was stronger, keeping the others at bay: shock.

Whatever she had expected this moment to be like, this had never been it. Cal didn't do speeches. He didn't do confessions. Not with words. Instead, he would let his guard down for her to read on his face what he needed her to know. And in those moments, more than anything else, he was "telling" her "I trust you".

So she had expected him to stop at "I'm sorry". She had expected him to leave it up to her to look in his eyes and acknowledge that the apology was sincere, which he knew she would. And then she expected him to consider the matter closed. This had been their routine for eight years now.

But he had kept speaking, and she wasn't prepared for that. The words, his completely unguarded expression, the warm hands enveloping hers, it was too much all at once and she was drowning.

This moment was not about him trusting her, but her being able to trust him. It wasn't about what he needed her to know, but what she needed to know. Finally, it wasn't a step on a path to which they both know the end. "Do ya have it in ya to give me a second chance to make good on my promise?" He wasn't taking the outcome for granted this time. This time forgiveness would be a choice. My choice.

She looked at him and saw the fear. His eyes flickering incessantly, scanning her face for the answer. He can't read me.

She opened her mouth but couldn't find her voice. It was as if her lungs had no air to spare and produce the sounds. She watched as fear turned to panic, and then to misery. He let go of her hand and began to move back.

No.

Panic came as a wave, washing away everything else in a split second, clearing the way for instinct to take over.

Before he finished the step her hand grabbed his jacket and she pulled herself forward, closing the space between them. Her arms found their way around his neck, and she hugged him tight. Less than a heartbeat later she felt his arms close around her, pulling her even closer.

The storm was still raging inside her. The emotions still piling on top of each other, the tears still falling. But she could breathe now. Safe. She wasn't drowning anymore.

They stood there holding each other for a long time. The sun was setting quickly, painting the sky with orange stokes and wakening shadows in every corner. The wind was now chilly, making her shiver in his embrace.

She felt him turn his head and kiss her temple before loosening his hold on her. She stepped back, lowering her hands to his chest at the same time his own rubbed her upper arms, trying to warm her and keeping her close.

She looked up at him, her eyes tracing the lines on the face she knew so well. They were carved on his forehead, the corner of his eyes... Oh. They were almost gone now, but still visible on his cheeks, the streaks of tears. She didn't think she had ever seen him shed any. Cupping his face with her hand she erased what remained of their path with her thumb.

"I'm trusting you."

He simply nodded, holding her gaze, his eyes showing that he understood. Suddenly the sound of his cellphone broke the silence, and they broke contact as he fumbled to retrieve it from his pocket. Looking at the screen, he said: "It's Emily."

She smiled, signaling it was ok for him to answer. As he did, she turned around and looked over the rail. It was almost dark now, and the city lights shone bright in the distance. The wind carried his voice to her ears, and she closed her eyes, finding comfort in the sound.

"Hey, luv."

"Hey, Dad."

She could hear the girl's voice through the phone.

"You ok?"

"Yeah, darling', I'm fine, and ya?"

"Fine. You coming home for dinner?"

"Yeah, I'll be there soon."

"Where are you?"

"I uh..."

She heard him pause.

"I am looking at the most gorgeous view."

She opened her eyes, feeling the corners of her mouth turn up into a smile.

"Hum... Good. Invite Gill over!"

"What?!"

Her smile broadened even more at Emily's intuition and her father's baffled reaction.

"Gillian. Invite her over for dinner."

"Oi! Have ya hired someone to follow me around?"

"Yeah, Dad. That's it. I'll see you both soon."

She heard him sigh and flick the phone shut. A moment later he was on her side, the warmth of his body pushing away the cold night air. She looked at him.

"So..." He said, hesitantly. "Fancy some dinner?"

It was her turn to just nod, the smile still on her face.

He offered his arm to her. She hooked it with her own, and they began to walk back towards the car.