To say things were awkward for them was putting it lightly. Dick hadn't seen Barbara in over a year, she left town after her 'relationship' with Dick didn't go the way she wanted.
He couldn't believe that she was there just as he was making it up to Kori, why couldn't she leave them alone?
"It's so good to see you, and oh look at you Kori, you haven't changed a bit."
Kori wasn't happy that she was there, but she was wrong she had changed. She gained courage and she was going to let her know that.
"Oh and look at you Babs, you uh...well you're here."
"So what brings you here, I remember you left right after...you know."
"You mean when I found out that my boyfriend was cheating on me with you? And that my family was gone? Yeah well I needed some time away but I'm back now. I hope this isn't a problem with you?"
She didn't want to admit it but it hurt to bring up her family but not as much as it used to. She was glad she was back but still sad by the memories the city held. She couldn't think about that though, she was here to make new ones.
For Barbara it was a problem, she didn't realize that Kori would be back, and certainly not like this.
"Well of course not I just came to say hi to Dick and to tell you welcome back, you know you were dearly missed."
"Yeah well I missed my life here and I'm glad to be back and I won't be leaving again any time soon.
But tell what brings you back to town, I heard you left."
"Nothing really just a new job and a hopefully a chance to get back together with my ex boyfriend."
"And who would that be, exactly?"
"Oh Dick never told you," at that point Kori looked at Dick who was very quiet throughout the whole encounter.
"Tell me what?"
"That right after you left we were finally able to start our long awaited relationship."
Dick quickly started denying it, "It was never a relationship and you know that." He was ignored by both of them.
Kori was upset but she wasn't going to let it show, although she was obviously going to have a serious conversation with Dick.
"Really now how interesting,tell me how long did you wait to get together?"
"It was immediately after you left. His friends ignored him and he only had me, his amazing girlfriend."
"Right his amazing girlfriend, yet you ended up leaving,some amazing girlfriend you are."
"I know I was a better girlfriend than you, you couldn't even keep him around, he cheated on you. And you know what, I left because I had a great opportunity that I couldn't refuse. You left because you're a coward who couldn't confront the truth that you weren't enough!"
"Don't you dare talk to her like that!" Dick had now stood up and had a tight grip around her wrist.
"Let me go Dick! You're hurting me!" He let her go but only because he felt Koris hand on his arm.
"You know Barbara you're right I was coward, but not anymore and I'm going to tell you one thing. I'm with Dick now and we would really appreciate it if you didn't try to break us apart again."
"This is far from over Kori!"
"Really? I think it's been over a long time ago Barbara. I'm sorry things didn't go the way you wanted them to but you have to live in the present because that's all you have now. Don't let something that happened in the past affect you now."
Surprisingly to all of them Kori hugged her, and quietly spoke, "There's someone out there for you who will be your whole life just like Dick is to me. I'm really sorry, but I know you're going to be extremely happy with him, wherever he may be."
She let her go and then gave Barbara her card, "And when you find him, call me I would love to make your cake for you."
Barbara stood there not knowing what to say and just as Kori and Dick were going to leave, "Kori, um maybe we can have coffee some time and talk about things."
She just smiled, "Yeah that sounds good, just give me a call, we'll see you around."
They left and although Dick was glad that was over he knew he had some explaining to do. They were just walking down the sidewalk neither knowing where they were going.
Kori had a lot of things going through her head but she wouldn't jump to any conclusions. She was going to let him talk and tell her everything.
"So you and Barbara were a couple?"
He sighed, "Yes and no, look after you left everyone was upset with me and I was devastated that you left and that I hurt you.
I had no one and nothing to turn to, Babs was the only one who wasn't mad at me so we started spending time together. I guess she thought we were actually going out when really I never even asked her out or took her on a date. All we ever did was hang out at my house, I never let her kiss me the only thing she did was hug me.
She left after a while but by then I was better, we had an argument before she left though. I honestly can't remember what we talked about but I do know she was really mad at me. I didn't know she would be back around the same time you would. So that's what happened with us anything else you want to know?"
"Why didn't you have an actual relationship with her?"
"Because I love you, I didn't want her, I only wanted you. I know what I did was wrong but you've forgiven me and that's all I could ever ask for.
Kori I love you, you have no idea how much I missed you. I am always thinking of you, and I could never have any relationship with anyone because I can never let you go.
I don't regret not looking for you because if I did I know I would do something stupid again. I realized that I couldn't change what I did but I could try to become a better person for you.
If I don't have you in my life than its not worth living.I never imagined having you in my arms again and I'm not letting you go, never."
He gently kissed her and then just held her in his arms. She loved him and she knew he loved her and that was all they needed to know.
"Have I told you that you're good when it comes to declarations of love?"
"No, but you better get used to them because you're the only one who's going to get them."
"As much as I love us being like this, I have to get back to work, and you do too."
He laughed, "I'm an artist I don't have a specific schedule."
"Well lucky you, I'm really glad you're doing what you love. Are you going to show me your paintings later?"
"If you're not to busy I will, but I also want to wait until the gallery opening to show you some. It's this Saturday and I would really like it if you came."
"Of course, and I can't wait to see what you've been working on all these years."
She gave him a long lingering kiss before he could say anything. "Love you, I'll see you later okay," she then walked out of his sight, she really needed to get to work.
Yeah he was really looking forward to the gallery. He only hoped she would love it just as much as he did.
Questions? Thoughts? Suggestions? Let me know.
I had so many ideas for how this chapter would go. I hope you enjoyed, don't forget to review, letting me know what your favorite line was, and what you thought of it.
Just one more chapter to go, anyone have any ideas for the ending?
