After taking a long, hot shower and finding fresh clothes, Tommy looked at the clock. It was almost eleven thirty in the morning and he knew that the group would expect to see him later that afternoon. He was pacing around his living room, trying to think of something to tell them when his phone rang in the kitchen.
"Hello," he answered.
"Hey man," came Rocky's voice, "Are you busy today?"
"Uh, yeah, kind of," Tommy said, "What's up?"
"I was supposed to teach a class at the Youth Center at three but I don't think I can make it," Rocky said, making Tommy nervously rub the back of his neck, "Do you think you can cover for me?"
"I can try," Tommy said, "I don't know though. I kind of already had plans for this afternoon. Can Adam do it?"
"I'll ask him," Rocky said, suddenly suspicious because Tommy had never turned down an opportunity to teach, "If he can't, I really don't want to have to cancel it with the kids."
"Call him and then call me back and let me know if he can't," Tommy said, "If he can't, I'll cover it for you."
"Thanks man," Rocky said.
Tommy hung up the phone and threw a bag together while he waited for Rocky to call him back. He wasn't sure how many nights he'd be spending with his ex girlfriend but he wanted to be prepared this time. The phone rang and Rocky confirmed that Adam was not available for that afternoon so Tommy have would teach the class. He really didn't mind but he would have liked to have spent the whole day with Kim. Hopefully he could teach the class and leave quickly.
Kimberly fell asleep on the couch after Tommy left and she was snuggled under the comforter he had used the night before. She was comforted by the smell of him. She had been watching something on television but she was still so tired from the night before. She was thankful that she had lent Tommy her spare key because she might not hear the buzzer if she fell asleep. The toll pregnancy took on the body was astounding to her. There were days that she felt like the energy was just sucked right out of her. Today was one of those days.
Tommy reached the apartment building and made his way back to her door. He unlocked it and opened it. The television was on but he didn't see Kim. He entered the apartment and dropped her keys in the bowl. He smiled as he saw her on the couch, her legs tucked under her and her left arm under a pillow propped up on the arm of the couch while her other arm rested over her belly, his blanket wrapped around her shoulders and just over her legs, leaving her belly exposed. Her hair fell over her shoulder and framed her sleeping face perfectly. Tommy saw her camera on the white shelves on the wall and picked it up. She had a full roll of film, so he snapped a picture of her sleeping there on the couch. He smiled and set the camera back in its place. He looked at the clock and saw that it was almost twelve thirty and figured he'd let her sleep just a little bit longer.
"Hey Beautiful," he whispered, shaking her gently. Her eyes fluttered open to his smile.
"Hey," she said, softly and started to stretch, "how long was I asleep?"
"I'm not sure but I've only been here about twenty minutes," he said, "but it's twelve fifty and I thought you said you needed to leave by one or was it one thirty?"
"One thirty," she said, starting to get up.
"Then go back to sleep," he said, "I'll wake you." She smiled and moved so he could sit down. He sat next to her and pulled her closer so that she could lay her head in his lap. She tensed at his touch but allowed herself the comfort of his gesture. She laid her head on a pillow in his lap and he covered her with the blanket and just stroked her hair while flipping through the channels on the tv.
He'd kept a close eye on the clock and woke her at one twenty. They got their shoes on and she gathered her things and they left. Tommy offered to drive her but she felt better taking her car. So he rode with her to a medical building in Stone Canyon.
"Why all the way out here," he asked.
"Well I didn't want to risk any of you seeing me and it was like the only doctors office that took my insurance," she said, honestly.
"I see," he said, "Well, shall we?" She nodded and he followed her in. She checked in and they sat down and waited. The nurse called her back and they went in and he waited in the exam room while she had her weight checked and some other things. They came in and the nurse took her vitals and left again. They waited another ten minutes and then an older woman in a white coat with blonde hair pinned to her head came in.
"Hello Kimberly," she said sweetly, "How are you feeling?"
"Tired," Kimberly answered, "but good."
"That's good," the doctor said and then noticed Tommy, "Is this the father?" Kimberly opened her mouth to say something but she wasn't fast enough.
"I am," he said, standing and holding out his hand, "Tommy Oliver."
"Dr. Penkowski," she said, shaking his hand, "It's so nice to meet you. And you've come on a good day. We're doing your ultrasound today and we may even be able to see the sex of the baby!" Kimberly was still reeling from the false admission Tommy made to the doctor. She was just stunned. She'd never have expected that to come out of his mouth.
"Unless you don't want to know," the doctor said, confused by Kimberly's silence.
"Oh, uh, yes. Yes we want to know," Kimberly said, still in utter shock.
"Great," the way too happy doctor said and then proceeded with her exam. She measured the length and width of Kimberly's belly while she lay flat on the table. Then she left and returned with the ultrasound machine.
"This maybe a bit cold," Dr. Penkowski said, as she squirted blue gel onto Kim's exposed belly. She turned the machine so that both Kimberly and Tommy could see. He was standing beside her head and reached down and took her hand. She looked at their hands and then up at him and smiled. The doctor pointed out arms and legs and measured the baby's size. They got to hear the baby's heartbeat.
"Everything looks perfect," she said, "And it looks like you are having a girl!" She pointed out where she had identified the baby's sex and Kimberly smiled. She didn't look at Tommy because she was still too glued to the screen but he smiled as well.
"That was amazing,"he said as they were leaving, "Just seeing her there and moving. Just amazing." Kimberly laughed and rolled her eyes a little bit. She knew he'd never seen an ultrasound done before.
"I forgot to tell you," he said, as they were leaving, "I have to go teach a class at the Youth Center in about twenty minutes but I'll be back right after."
"Why did you do that," she asked, ignoring his appointment information.
"Because Rocky asked me too," Tommy responded, confused.
"No, not that," she said, annoyed, "Why did you tell my doctor that you're the father?"
"Oh," he sighed, "I just figured that it was easier than explaining the alternative."
"I see," she said, "you know, this isn't my first appointment. Lucky for you, the last time she asked about the baby's father I just said that he couldn't make it." Tommy just chuckled as they got in the car.
She parked next to his truck and thanked him for coming with her. He gave her a hug and promised her he would return when the class was over in an hour. She told him not to rush because she was going to go do some grocery shopping and then head over to the craft store for some things. They parted ways and he left to teach. She left to get her shopping done.
Tommy taught Rocky's karate class from three til four and then quickly showered and changed in the locker room. Their group of friends sat at their usual table and they waved him over as soon as they saw him. He walked over but didn't intend on staying long.
"Hey guys, how's it going," he said.
"Good, come have a bite with us," Adam said, having just finished tutoring a student from their old high school.
"Uh, I can't today," Tommy said, "I've got some things to do today but I'll catch up with you guys later." He said his goodbyes and left.
"Okay did that seem strange to you guys," Katherine asked.
"Yeah and Rocky said earlier that he didn't want to cover the class this afternoon," Adam said, "Which is really not like him at all."
"Speaking of the Devil," Tanya said as Rocky came in and sat down at their table.
"Hey guys, where is Tommy off too in such a rush," he asked.
"No clue, man," Adam said.
"But something is definitely off," Katherine said.
"Maybe we should follow him," Rocky suggested. They all looked at each other and then quickly bolted out the door and piled into Adam's jeep. Tommy hadn't gotten more than a couple stop lights ahead of them when they found his truck. They followed him to a craft store in Stone Canyon. They watched him walk in and then waited five minutes and then went in.
"There you are," he said, making Kimberly jump in the aisle, her hand over her heart.
"God, you scared me," she said and playfully smacked his arm. She was still timid at his gentle touch and she tensed up when he placed his hand on the small of her back but it passed quickly. He hadn't even been back in her life for twenty four hours and she was amazed at how comfortable she was with his closeness. Everything really was just easy with him. She knew she didn't have to be afraid, although she was still struggling with that. Out in the open like this was easy for her because the asshole never did anything where there were witnesses. So being in public made her feel safer somehow. Being alone in a secluded place with nowhere to run or no one around or no way to keep him out is what scared her. Some nights she couldn't fall asleep in her own home because she was just terrified and the nightmares were relentless.
"So what are we looking for," Tommy's voice shook her from her thoughts and she looked at him a little confused before she remembered what she had come here for.
"Letters," she said, "I was looking for those raw wooden letters. You know, the kind you can stain or paint?"
"I know what you're talking about," he said and took her hand and guided her down the aisle further, "they are down here."
"How did you know that," Kim asked him, thoroughly impressed.
"My mom comes here a lot," he admitted.
"I see," she laughed and her laugh was music to his ears, "How is your mom?"
"She's good," he answered, "you should come with me one of these days when I stop over there and see her. She'd love to see you." Kimberly looked down at her feet. She was still scared of the people from her past and what they'd think of her once they knew. Tommy picked up on her discomfort quickly.
"Kim, it's okay," he said, touching her arm, "I know you're struggling with people right now. I didn't mean anything by it except, when you're ready." She was so angry and so sad and beyond frustrated with what had been taken from her. These invisible wounds that just wouldn't seem to heal felt like they were killing her. She fought back her tears as she looked up at him.
"I'm sorry," she said and despite her fighting, a tear escaped down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away.
"Don't be," he said, gently. She wasn't sure what had come over her but she just hugged him. She felt safe with him. He quickly wrapped his arms around her and held her to him. She rested her head on his chest and he kissed the top of her head and just stroked her hair. After a beat, she regained control of herself and stood, still in his embrace but turned to face the letters. There were block letters and curvy letters and then there were fancier, cursive letters.
"I think I like these," she said, pointing to the fancier wooden letters.
"Okay," he said, "what are we spelling?"
"Chloe Grace," she said. He looked down at her face but she was looking at the letters.
"That's beautiful, Kim," he said and she looked up at him and smiled. They picked out the capital C and G and then the lower case letters that finished the names. She picked up paint brushes and acrylic paints in a variety of pink shades and a clear acrylic sealer can to spray over the paint once it dried. They walked over to the checkout and waited, all the while being watched by their group of friends that were shocked at what they witnessed.
"So that was her we saw last night," Rocky said as they all climbed back into the car after following Tommy and Kim out of the store.
"How could Tommy not tell us," Katherine begged, "how could he lie to us like that?"
"Maybe he didn't know either," Tanya suggested. They all looked at her like she'd grown a second head.
"Let's see where they go," Adam said.
Tommy followed Kimberly back to her apartment and helped her carry her groceries and two bags from the craft store up the three flights of stairs. It wasn't a lot but it wasn't anything she needed to be doing. He also wasn't stupid. He knew that they had been followed and he took great care in making sure Kim didn't spot them.
"I'm going to run down to my truck for a few things," he said, "I'll be right back."
"Okay," she called from the kitchen, where she was putting her groceries away. He grabbed her keys and left the apartment. He walked over to the jeep where everyone was lost in conversation and knocked on the window, making the all jump.
"What are you all doing here," he asked, thoroughly annoyed at having his privacy invaded.
"We could ask you the same question," Adam said. Tommy's jaw tightened and he took a step back from the car to allow them to get out.
"How could you lie to us like that, man," Rocky said, visibly hurt.
"I didn't lie," Tommy said, "Not exactly."
"Well fess up man," Rocky said and the others nodded in unison.
"Look," Tommy said, "I didn't even know she was home. I saw her for the first time last night just like you did. But I would know her if I was blindfolded. I also know that she wouldn't come home, let alone come home pregnant and not say anything. I knew something was wrong. So when I got home I called the only person I knew would have answers. Trini just gave me the address and I showed up here."
"What happened, Tommy," Katherine asked, genuinely concerned for her friend, "Is she okay?"
"No," he said, matter of factly, "no she's not okay. She is a long way from okay. But that's something she has to tell you when she's ready."
Kimberly realized she had forgotten a bag in her car and traveled back down the three flights of stairs to the parking lot. She stopped cold when she saw Tommy surrounded by their group of friends. She wasn't stupid and she guessed that they had followed him. She knew Tommy wouldn't betray her but she also knew that they weren't going to leave without answers. She did her best to put on a brave face, despite the fact that she knew she wasn't ready, and she walked outside.
"Tommy," came Kimberly's small voice behind them. Everyone whipped around at the sound and faced her. She stiffened and he watched her turn a sick shade of white. He quickly made his way around the group to her. She was starting to shake again but at least she wasn't hyperventilating, like last night.
"Kim, you don't have too..." he started.
"I know," she said, "but they deserve an explanation. I think I can do this."
"Are you sure," he asked.
"Just stay with me," she begged quietly, "I can't do this alone."
"Of course," he promised, "I'm not going anywhere." She motioned for the group to follow, the bag in her car abandoned for the moment.
Kimberly brought them into her home and motioned for them to sit down. She brought out her laptop and started with the hardest part.
"I never wanted anyone to know," she began, "but keeping this to myself is harder now and it's killing me. I owe you all an apology because I hid this for so long but the reasons I hid it are so much bigger than myself." She was starting to cry and wiped furiously at her tears. Katherine reached out to hold her hand and Tommy, standing behind Kimberly shook his head and Katherine retracted.
"What happened, Kim," Adam asked as gently as he could. She looked up and met his eyes, each of their eyes.
"I spent the last two years in my own personal Hell," she began, shaking as she lifted her laptop, opened the file and turned the screen toward them so they could see and she pressed play. They watched the scene in the locker room unfold, their friend viciously and repeatedly attacked while she fought for her life.
"That was almost 6 months ago," she said, closing the laptop and seeing their faces. Katherine and Tanya both cried silently. Rocky and Adam looked beyond angry. Kimberly continued with her story, "I sent Tommy that letter after the first time he attacked me but it wasn't his first advance. It started with "accidental" inappropriate touches that escalated to full on groping when no one was looking. Then one night he was in my room. I fought but he won anyway. I would hear him in other girls rooms at night after that. I became hyper aware of the situation. I wrote that letter because I felt like I cheated somehow and because I knew that I couldn't let this keep happening to the other girls, some much younger than me. I needed to protect them." She explained her story much the same way she had to Tommy. Once she started, it became easier and easier to tell them everything. She cried through most of it and despite the fact that Tommy shook his head no, the two other women in the room reached for their friend and held her close.
"You are so brave," Tanya said, barely knowing Kim but still feeling strong connection.
"I am so sorry that you had to go through this, Kim," Katherine said, through tear filled eyes.
"I should have told you guys," Kimberly cried, reaching behind herself for Tommy who took her outstretched hand, "I should have come to you but I was so scared. I was so afraid that this was all my fault."
"This was not your fault," Rocky said, standing from his place on a backward dining chair and coming closer, "he had no right to touch you and you protected your teammates from that monster. I'm proud of you."
"We're all proud of you," Adam said, wiping a tear from her cheek, "Now you just need to let us help you heal."
Kimberly looked at each one of her friends and then looked at Tommy. He gave her a smile that said "I told you they would be here for you". Katherine still hadn't let go of her, despite the fact that Kimberly was stiffer than a board.
"Kat," Tommy said, gently and the blonde looked up at him, "you should probably let go." Katherine looked at Kimberly and realized that she was very tense and still shaking. Katherine retracted her arms and gave Kim her space.
"I'm sorry," Kimberly said, feeling sheepish with the people closest to her, "it's just hard for me. Anytime someone touches me these days, I just...I just can't help it. It's terrifying."
"That's understandable, Kim," Adam said, "You were traumatized, repeatedly, for a long time. I think you're allowed to be scared. It's okay." She gave him a sad smile.
"Well, now you all know the truth," she said, "I hope that you can forgive me for what I did." They all looked at her in shock.
"Forgive you for what," Rocky asked.
"For that letter. For not telling you guys the truth to begin with," she explained.
"Kim, you were in an impossible situation. You let go of us to protect others. You let go of Tommy to protect others. I don't think that's something that needs forgiveness. I think what you did took an enormous amount of courage and bravery. I don't know about the rest of us, but I for one can't forgive you," Katherine said, making Kimberly look at her stunned, "because there's nothing to forgive. You sacrificed for the greater good. Honestly, we should be thanking you for putting that monster behind bars."
"Yeah,"'Rocky said, "especially after you took him out like a badass." The whole room, Kimberly included, busted up laughing.
"Yeah, where the hell did you learn that arm bar hold you did," Adam asked, "Cause that was amazing." Kimberly just smiled and turned to gesture to Tommy like Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune.
"Dude," Rocky erupted, "You've been holding out on us!" Tommy just chuckled and shrugged.
"Not to change the subject," Tanya said, "but I want to know, what can we do to help you now, Kim? I want you to know that we're not going anywhere. So don't think for one second that you're about to do the rest of this alone." Kimberly bit her bottom lip and rubbed her palms up and down her thighs nervously as she thought about an answer.
"I don't know," she said, "I mean, I have a great job and I have money in savings. I'm actually doing okay for myself..."
"But what do you need," Kat asked, pressing the issue.
"Well, so far I have painted the living room and dining room myself. I had my furniture delivered but put everything you see here together by myself," she said, thinking more out loud than anything else, "I guess I could use the help getting the rest of this place painted and unpacked and set up before this little girl makes her way into the world."
"Great," Tanya said, clapping her hands together.
"Maybe we should get dinner first," Kim suggested, "I could order Chinese?"
"Oh that sounds good," Katherine said.
"Sweet," Rocky exclaimed, "Chinese food, DIY projects and we got our Kimmie back! Best day ever!" He did a goofy little dance in his place and they all laughed. Tommy stepped forward and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Why don't you get everyone's orders and call the restaurant and the guys and I will go pick up the food and some more rollers and paint brushes," he suggested to her. She just nodded and proceeded to take down everyone's orders. She went into her room, in the closet and took some money from the envelope that Coach Schmidt had given her, she had hidden it under her hoodies . She came out and handed it to Tommy.
"That should cover dinner and the extra paint supplies," she said.
"Kim, you don't have to pay for us," Rocky said.
"I want too," she said, "besides, you guys are helping me out so much."
Tommy, Rocky, and Adam left to go get more rollers and brushes and the Chinese food for dinner. The girls helped Kim finish getting her groceries put away and then, Kimberly changed into what she now referred to as her painting clothes. She put her hair up in a messy bun, as did Katherine. They went into the nursery and opened the windows so that they wouldn't be smelling paint fumes the whole time and Kimberly opened up a can of paint that was labeled "Daisy".
"I like your choice of color," Tanya said, making the girls laugh.
"I had a feeling that she was a girl and I wanted something warm and light for her room," Kimberly said, "She should be welcomed into the world with warmth and light and love."
"She definitely should," Kat replied as she turned on the boom box in the corner.
Kimberly hadn't felt more relaxed in months. She had to admit, telling her friends made the biggest difference and Trini had been right. It wasn't long before the three women were dancing and laughing while they were painting. The whole atmosphere just felt like it had shifted. A weight felt lifted from her shoulders and she noticed her face starting to hurt from how much she'd been smiling.
"Thank you guys," she said to the girls at one point and put an arm around each of them and hugged them close.
Tommy, Rocky, and Adam picked up the paint supplies first. Tommy got an extra can of the "Daisy" yellow that Kim had just in case they needed it. Then they headed over to the Chinese restaurant to get their food and made their way back to her apartment.
"I can't believe she's going to be a mom now," Rocky said, as they drove.
"Yeah, but I understand why she didn't want to give her up," Adam said, "that baby is a part of her. I couldn't walk away from that either." Tommy just nodded as the other two talked.
"So are you two going to try and make this work for you," Rocky suddenly asked, "I mean she is your girl."
"Always has been," Tommy said as he drove, "but that's really up to her. I don't think it's in the fore front of her mind right now. I think she's just trying to make it through life one day at a time."
"Well, you looked pretty together in the craft store," Adam said. Tommy just shook his head.
"She just needed some support is all," he said, secretly hoping it was more to her than just needing a shoulder to lean on. He had to admit that he wanted her back and every time he got to have her in his arms, he just felt complete.
The guys entered the apartment and took off their shoes. Rocky and Adam set the food on the dining room table and Tommy was going to take the paint supplies into the nursery but stopped and had to stifle a chuckle at the sight before him. He snapped his fingers at Rocky and Adam to get their attention and pointed. The guys turned their attention to the girl's in the nursery who were busy painting and dancing and singing to the Shania Twain song on the radio.
"Hey, can we join the party," Rocky called over the music and made all three women jump.
"Sure," Kim responded, rolling her roller in more paint.
"I mean, that is," Tanya giggled, "if you boys think you can keep up?" The girls erupted in laughter as the three men entered the space to see that they had almost half of the room painted.
"Well geez, don't save any work for us," Adam joked, pulling fresh rollers from the bag Tommy dropped on the floor.
Tommy took a place just a little ways down the wall from Kim and Rocky and Adam started on the blank back wall while Katherine and Tanya painted the long wall across the room from Tommy and Kimberly.
"Do we have a latter," Rocky asked, "Cause we will need to even out these edges up too here."
"I just used a chair from the dining room when I painted the living room," Kimberly said.
"Great," he said, leaving to retrieve a chair and promising to be careful not to get paint on it when he returned. It only took a couple of hours before the room was fully painted in one light coat and they took the time for the paint to dry to heat up their now cold Chinese food and eat.
"So what are you going to name her," Tanya asked over her fried rice at the dining room table.
"Chloe Grace," Kimberly answered.
"That's so pretty," Katherine said. They fell into a pretty easy conversation over dinner and afterward, returned to apply the second coat of Daisy paint to the nursery walls. They finished late into the evening and after cleaning up the mess and closing up the paints, they bid their friends goodnight and went home.
"That went better than I thought it would," Kimberly said to Tommy as he closed the door behind the group.
"I knew it would," he said and her eyes fell, "Oh Kim, I..."
"It's okay, Tommy," she said, giving him a small smirk, "I should have known that they would understand. I shouldn't have hid this from them."
"We all understand why you did though," he said. She nodded.
"So I guess you'll be heading home too then," she asked, toying with a frame on her shelf and hoping the nervous anxiety wasn't apparent in her voice.
"Do you want me too," he asked, his own anxiety begging for her to say no.
"I'm not going to make you stay if you don't want too, Tommy," she said, "You have a life."
"And if I want to stay," he asked, taking a step closer to her. Her breath caught in her throat but she met his eyes.
"I...I...umm..." she stuttered as he closed the space between them and took her face in his hands. He took a chance and pressed his lips to hers, gently. She stiffened at his gentle, intimate touch and he almost pulled away but he felt her hands on his upper arms and then they fell to his sides where she bunched his open flannel shirt in her hands and pulled him closer. His hands found their way into her hair, that she'd pulled free from her bun and hers slid up his sides and then around his back as she opened her mouth to his. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pressed his palm into the small of her back. He felt her swollen belly pressed against him and then he felt the little girl growing there kick against him. Their heated kiss left them both breathless and a little light headed by the time they pulled away.
She didn't say anything. She stood, her forehead pressed to his until he moved his head up to press his lips to her forehead. She clutched his shirt in her fists and closed her eyes as a single tear escaped from her eyes and fell down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry," she said as evenly as she could, tears silently falling, "I'm sorry I can't give you more than this."
"I don't need more than this," he said, holding her as close as he could and kissed her forehead again before resting his cheek on the top of her head.
"You deserve more than this," she finally said with a sigh, "you deserve more than I can ever give you."
"You are more than I deserve, Kim," he said, pulling away enough to look at her, "I'm not going anywhere. I want you. I've always wanted you." She nodded while she fiddled with a button on his shirt.
"I don't deserve you," she said, and quickly turned away from him. She felt his hands rubbing her arms and he kissed the top of her head.
"I think you're wrong about that," he said and she didn't say anything. She just went to her bedroom and closed the door. Tommy stood in her living room, his heart sinking in his chest just a little.
Kimberly stood against her bedroom door and cried. She felt so unworthy of him. She felt dirty in some way that couldn't be seen. In twenty four hours, this man that she had loved so much broke through her walls with little effort and made her feel safe again and here she was running away. She couldn't hold in the sobs that escaped her. She sank to the floor, her head in her hands and let it out. Her fear, her anger, the overwhelming sadness and loss that felt so heavy it was crippling.
Tommy heard the noise through her closed door. She sounded like she was in pain and he rushed through the closed door. She was sitting on the bedroom floor, her head in her hands, shaking and sobbing. He knelt behind her and reached for her arms to pull her in closer.
"Don't," she yelped, "please. Please, Tommy. I can't." She was having a hard time getting the words out between the sobs that wracked her. He just sat behind her, watching the pain that tormented her and feeling helpless to stop it all.
"I'm not going anywhere, Kim," he said softly.
"You shouldn't want me," she said through heaving sobs, "I'm not good for you. I'm not good for anyone." This time he ignored her protests and scooted forward so that she sat between his legs and he wrapped her in his arms and held her close, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"That is not true," he said, "and I'm sorry that he made you feel like this. You are not a bad person, Kim. You're not a whore or whatever he might have called you. You are strong and beautiful and amazing. You are everything anyone could want and you deserve to have someone love you and love you right. Whatever he made you feel, let it go. He was wrong. You are far more than you give yourself credit for." Her sobs began to subside as he talked to her. She finally began to relax into him.
"I love you," she whispered. This time he stiffened. She turned a little bit in his embrace so that she could see his face. He was a little stunned. She searched his eyes for some kind of answer. He reached up and brushed tears from her cheeks. He leaned in and kissed her lips gently.
"I love you too, Kim," he replied against her lips, but meeting her eyes.
"Please don't leave," she asked, draping her arms around his neck.
"I didn't plan on it," he said, giving her a smile.