Chapter 6: I'm So Sorry

For the times we're at odds

Here's a kiss from my heart

And a breath in you ear

Telling you I'm sorry

For the times we're apart

Here's a kiss with a tear

And a heart full of love,

Telling you I'm so sorry

— "For the Times" by John Stamos

The sun was just starting to set over the horizon. Jacob and Rosie had spent the whole day with Tasha, playing games and keeping her company. Now they were taking a nap up in their room. Meanwhile, Catherine and Tasha were getting things ready for dinner while Vincent finished packing the bags. It was the last day at the cabin and once it was dark, they would be returning to the city. Catherine offered Tasha to use the cabin until she felt up to going back home. Tasha was grateful and planned to spend a few days there. She was going to call her mother up the next day to have someone pickup Tomas and bring him over. She just didn't feel up to facing Devin quite yet.

"So how long do you think you'll stay here?" Catherine asked, "Won't you need to get Thomas?"

Tasha sighed. "Yeah but… I don't know. I feel bad for him, but I think I'll just have Dad pick him up for him for me. Least Charles will keep him company for a while."

Catherine looked at her friend. She wished she could help but this was something Devin and Tasha had to fix on their own. Vincent walked in. He saw the look on his wife's face. He could feel her pain in his own heart. Each of them had spoken with Tasha and given their advice. Now all that was left was the confrontation. Vincent joined Catherine on the couch.

"Tasha, you know you are always welcome to seek refuge in the Tunnels," Vincent said. "If you would rather travel back with us, we could stop by you're home for—"

"No," Tasha interrupted. "Thanks Puss, but I think I just need some time to myself. Clear my head, ya know?"

Vincent was about to reply when he heard something outside. Catherine noted his intense gaze as he stared at the door. "What is it?"

Instead of answering her, Vincent cautiously walked to the back door in the kitchen. He paused when there was a light scratching noise coming from the outside,

"Come on Puss, don't leave us in the dark," Tasha whispered, "What's out there?"

"I believe you have a visitor," Vincent stated. He opened the door and in bounded Tasha's lion Thomas. He ran up to her and knocked her over. Tasha laughed as he continued to lick her face.

"Okay, okay," Tasha laughed, "I get it. You missed me. Now get off you overgrown fur ball."

Thomas obeyed and sat up for his mistress. She smiled and got up to scratch the young lion behind his ears.

Vincent walked into the room and wrapped his arm around Catherine's shoulders as they watched Tasha and Thomas. Catherine smiled but then she noticed something about the lion. "Uh Tasha? What that on Tom's collar?"

Tasha stopped her stroking and examined the collar. Intertwined around the leather collar was a Blue Mystique Orchid. Tasha felt her heart skip a beat. Only one person in the whole world knew that this was her favorite flower. She even had it tattooed on her lower back. Catherine and Vincent noted her frozen state and couldn't fathom what this strange flower meant.

All three of them went silent when they heard a strange sound coming from outside. They all got up and moved to the window. What lay outside surprised them all. Outside, standing in the middle of the yard, was Devin. He was standing next to a boom box and had a bouquet of velvet, red roses and blue orchids in his right hand. Tasha felt her heart constrict as she listened to the song. While it was the tape playing the music, Devin was the one who sang the lyrics.

It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside

I'm not one of those who can easily hide

I don't have much money, but boy if I did

I'd buy a big house where we both could live

If I was a sculptor, but then again, no

Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show

I know it's not much, but it's the best I can do

My gift is my song, and this one's for you

And you can tell everybody this is your song

It may be quite simple, but now that it's done

I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words

How wonderful life is while you're in the world

Tasha had no words as she listened to Devin's voice. Sure it was a little gruff, mostly from his nervousness and the fact he never sang in front of people. But the fact that he was doing this, singing a completely sappy love song just for her; Tasha knew he was trying his hardest to apologize. She walked from the window to step outside. She stopped at the porch and leaned against the railing as she listened to him.

When Devin spotted her coming out of the cabin, his heart began to beat a little faster. He could see she had been crying but still she looked so beautiful. When she stopped at the railing Devin got more confident and put more of himself into the song.

I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss

Well, a few of the verses, well, they've got me quite cross

But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song

It's for people like you that keep it turned on

So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do

You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue

Anyway the thing is what I really mean

Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

And you can tell everybody this is your song

It may be quite simple, but now that it's done

I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words

How wonderful life is while you're in the world

I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind that I put down in words

How wonderful life is while you're in the world

The song ended and Devin turned off the boom box. Tasha stepped off the porch and walked toward him. She stopped about five feet away from him. There was a small glint of hope in his eyes, but it dimmed when Tasha just glared at him. If looks could kill he'd be on his knees in pain from the daggers she glared at him.

"So," she finally said, crossing her arms over her chest. "You think you can just show up with Thomas, bring me flowers and sing a song, and I'd just forgive you?"

"No," he confessed. "That was just to get your attention."

"How the hell did you find me, anyway?" Tasha demanded

Devin took one step toward her, glad when she didn't back away. "I went looking for ya after you took off. I searched everywhere for ya, even went to your folks house. Boy, did your mom chew me out." He laughed nervously, trying to make the moment less awkward. It wasn't working.

"Tom missed ya like crazy." Silence. "Charles misses you too. He, he-he really nailed into me when you took off yesterday. I think he even threatened to never talk to me if I didn't go after you."

Inside, Vincent could hear how his brother was handling this situation. Catherine couldn't hear but the body language was clear: Devin was not heading off to a good start. Both Vincent and Catherine were silently pleading for Devin to take this seriously.

"Well, you can tell Charles I'm fine," Tasha snapped. "Thanks for bringing Tom back, but I think it's best if you just leave."

"Wait, Tash." He reached out and grabbed her wrist as she started walking away. Normally she'd flip him and continue inside, but something in her heart told her to listen to what Devin had to say.

When she didn't pound him for grabbing onto her like that, Devin inwardly let out the breath he'd been holding. He knew that if he wanted her back, he was going to have to do this carefully. One wrong word and he might just lose her for good. For a moment he continued to hold her wrist. Looking down he smiled at how small her hand was in his. Sure they looked dainty and feminine, but he knew that in the time and place, these hands could break bones and were quick on a trigger.

Letting go of her wrist, Devine sighed.

"Look, Tasha, I... I messed up. I know you don't need me to keep an eye on you. Hell, I've seen you hold your own and I'd be lying if I said otherwise. But when that creep started in and was saying all those things about you, I got mad. I may not be a gentlemen-type, but no one should be talked to like that. And I'll be damned if I'm gonna sit there while some pig talks about my girl like that!"

Tasha was shocked. She knew Devin had been trying to defend her, but she had never seen him like this before. So… possessive. Yet in a protective way. It was kind of alluring how he thought of her, but she was still mad about a few things.

"If that's how you felt, then why didn't you say anything?" Her voice was laced with ice.

"I was gonna," Devin protested. "In fact, that very night, I'd planned to have the living room to ourselves that night, and have you join me for a little wine. Then, when the mood was just right, I was going to ask you to move in with me again. I'd already talked it over with Charles, and he agreed it would be all right to ask you to move in. But then I screwed up and let my pride get the better of me.

"Tasha the moment I realized you weren't coming back I realized just how stupid I was being. I acted like some sexist jerk because my girlfriend beat up a guy I got into a fight with. Yeah I was mad but you were just being you, and I wouldn't change anything about you. You speak you're mind, don't take anyone's crap; you give a guy a push when he's beating himself up and you have one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen. I love watching how you care for those animals at the shelter. You're a great friend to Charles; you accepted him from the start when most people would run away from him."

Tasha looked down at the ground. Slowly her anger toward him started to disappear. Sure Devin would compliment her at times, and say how he adored her. But this was the first time he ever openly expressed just how much she meant to him.

"You're one amazing woman, Tasha," Devin continued. Suddenly he felt himself starting to tremble. The words were getting caught in his throat and he tried to focus. He took a deep breath and released it. Devin lifted his hand and hooked his finger under her chin, turning her face up toward him. In her eyes he saw that they were filled with unshed tears. Devin smiled. Looking into those emerald orbs Devin had to resist kissing away those tears.

He bent down and rested his forehead against hers. Tasha was starting to shake, her eyes glued to him.

"And?" she asked, her voice barley above a whisper.

Gathering his courage he told her. "And that's why—that's why I… I love you."

Time seemed to stop. Not a sound could be heard except for the gently breeze. Tasha felt as if her whole body had gone completely numb. Those three little words echoed in her mind. So much power was in those words, enough to render her completely speechless. It was like she was watching the world through someone else's eyes. Devin had removed his finger from her chin. He was looking at her now, waiting for her answer. His smile was slowly disappearing and his dark eyes were filled with anticipation, hope, and pure love.

"Devin, I-I—"

"Before you say anything," he interrupted, "I just have one more thing to say. It's just a silly question, and you can answer however you want; I just want to know one thing."

Tasha couldn't imagine what he wanted to say but she obeyed and allowed him to speak.

This was it. Time to show her just how much he wanted her to see how true his statement was. He handed her the flowers before he continued. She smiled and took them, bringing them to her nose and inhaling their fragrance.

"Well, I know I've asked this before, but I want to ask again," he started, "Tasha would you be willing to move in with me?"

Tasha sighed. "Dev, you know how I feel about that. I just don't believe in cohabitation."

"I know, I know," he stated, "just let me finish. You see, I did some thinking and realized there was only one way I could persuade you to live with me."

"Oh really?" She gave him a skeptic look. Yes, they had indeed had this conversation before. Sure it would be fun living with Devin and Charles. They would see each other more often, and she would be able to visit Charles as well. Both men got along great with her pet lion, and he certainly approved of them. Still, Tasha knew that those relationships were a gamble, and she didn't want to take the chance.

Devin saw the disbelief on her face. He smirked: he had her. His heart started beating faster. He really had only one shot at getting this right. Slowly he got down on his knees and took Tasha's free hand in his own. He smiled at her confused expression.

"I know I shouldn't be asking this, especially the way I treated you. But if you'll let me, no matter how long it takes; I want to show you just how much you mean to me. I know it's not much but—Well I guess what I'm trying to say is…" Devin paused to gather his thoughts. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object. He enclosed it in his fist so Tasha couldn't see what it was. He looked up at her and opened his hand.

Tasha gasped and dropped her bouquet. Lying in the center of Devin's palm was a silver band with a small Pear Shaped Tanzanite Three Stone ring. The gems were small but the ring itself was absolutely beautiful.

"So, Tasha Keira Lockhart," Devin grinned at her expression. "What do ya say? Would you marry me?"

The tears spilled from her eyes and Tasha threw herself into his arms. Devin held her close, one hand on her back, the other on the back of her head. It felt wonderful to have her back in his arms again. And this time, he intended to never let her go again. He shifted so that his lips were next to her ear.

"I take it that's a yes?" he chuckled.

Tasha smiled against his neck and leaned back to look at him. Her smile took Devin's breath away as her eyes lit up with unshed tears.

"Yes!"

Devin let out a whoop and stood up as he lifted Tasha into his arms. He spun her around, spinning faster as she laughed. He spun so fast that he fell with her to the ground. They collapsed in a fit of laughter, Tasha on top of Devin. They smiled before Tasha grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him to her lips, one kiss Devin eagerly returned.

Catherine and Vincent smiled as they watched the couple from the front door. Catherine couldn't be happier for her friends. She sighed and rested her head on Vincent's shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to his side. Nothing could explain the joy he felt in seeing his lifelong friend and brother experience the love he himself had found the day his Catherine came into his life. Devin had found his happiness, and Vincent wished them both a Happy Life.

XXX

Disclaimer: "Your Song" by Elton John.