AN: My dear readers! I'm so very thankful for your comments (Suki, aflower1325, AliceJM...) and am glad that you like this story so much 3 I don't know how many chapters the story will have, but I'm sure it will be some more :D hope you stuck with me! Thanks again! x Sandy
More than Words
Continues right after "Counting on a Miracle"
"What's going on with mommy?" Tess asked silently. "She now remembers everything", Doug answered and looked at his daughter with a weak smile.
Doug left her standing there for another several minutes until Carol finally turned around and hugged him tightly. She cried like she never cried before and she was shaking. "It's okay…let it out. It's going to be okay", Doug whispered and stroke over her back. Carol finally relaxed a little bit. "Let's just go home, okay?" Doug suggested and Carol nodded without saying anything.
On the way back home she just looked out of the window, looking at nowhere. Doug searched for her hand, knowing that this was a shock for her. And yes, Carol was shocked, but she was so glad that Doug did this for her. She was so glad that she finally remembered every little Detail of the accident and what happened afterwards. She was so glad that David was right there to call the ambulance and she was so glad that Mark immediately saw that she had a traumatic brain injury. But the most important thing for her was that her kids were okay. God, she didn't know what she would have done if anything happened to them. She knew kids from work that survived car accidents and didn't have that much luck afterwards but Tess and Kate were okay and that was the most important thing. Carol was very thankful for everything. Then she looked at Doug and realized that she was the luckiest woman on earth. Since she was 23 years old she was in love with this man and she knew that no other could win her heart. He was her missing piece; he was the one who was able to heal her broken heart; he was the only one who could make her happy. Slowly she started to realize that she would never get those four years back but that there were a lot of years ahead that she could spend with him. Happy years. Doug gave up so much for her. How could she ever give that back to him?
"Are you okay?" he asked, as he noticed that she looked at him. Carol smiled and nodded. "I am. Thank you for your help, Doug", she answered and now Doug smiled at her too. "I just want you to feel better", he answered and focused on the street again. "And I think I do. Which doesn't mean that everything is over now…I guess", Carol said and Doug nodded. "We have time", he smiled and Carol nodded. They had all the time in the world now.
"Do you think your mom wants to have the kids tonight?" Doug asked as they arrived at home and he was opening the front door to Carol's house. "I don't know, why?" Carol asked as she followed her kids inside. "Because I want to go out with you tonight", he answered and put his hands around her waist. "Really...you're asking me for a date?" she grinned. Doug nodded. "I do. It's kinda our…third first date, right?" he chuckled. Carol laughed and kissed him. "Remember, we never really had a real date", she then smiled. "Oh…you're right. So?" he asked. "Okay. But you have to ask her", Carol answered and went to the living room. "You wanna spend the night at grandma?" Carol asked the twins who were sitting on the couch and reading through a book. Tess looked up, not all too happy. "Okay. Kate, what about you?" Carol asked her other daughter. She made the same face as Tess. "Alright. Doug, we have a problem", Carol chuckled and went back to the kitchen. "What? Last time they didn't even want to go home", he said. "Yeah, well, they have their moments", Carol laughed. "So no date", Doug murmured and put his hands on her waist. "Well, I can cook at home", Carol answered and turned around when her phone rang.
"Hello!" she answered as she saw that Elizabeth was calling. "Hey Carol! I know you're busy with Doug and everything but your friends want to know how things are going", Elizabeth chuckled. Carol smiled. "Well, I'm sorry that I didn't call the last few days…it's been nerve-wracking. I was at my psychologist, I have physical therapy, I have two four year old girls who want to rule the world and I have Doug to deal with", Carol laughed and Doug looked at her with big eyes. Elizabeth laughed again. "Well, not such a big deal, is it? I think we should meet again so we can have a girl talk again", she said. "That's a good idea", Carol answered smiling. "Actually…Elizabeth, can you do me a favor?" Carol now asked as she had an idea. "Sure, what is it?" Elizabeth asked. "We want to go out today but the girls don't want to stay with my mom", Carol said. "Oh, bring them over. I'm sure Ella is happy to see them again", her best friend answered. "Really? It's really no problem for you?" Carol asked. "Not at all! I mean, four years…you deserve to have a date!" Elizabeth laughed. "Thank you", Carol answered with relief and they hung up.
"We have a date?" Doug asked smiling. "We have a date!" Carol answered and kissed him.
While Doug drove to the Greene's with the girls, Carol got ready for their date. She was nervous and felt like a teenager in her prom night. Only Doug was able to give her those feelings. And wow, she couldn't wait to have a romantic, funny evening with him. Four years long she longed for him; she waited for him and now she finally was there where she wanted to be. She would never let him go again. They belonged together and she could only be happy with him. She smiled then when she looked into the mirror in the bathroom. Of course she still needed to gain some weight and the circles under her eyes were still there, but slowly she became the old one again.
"Carol? I'm home!" she then heard Doug and went out of the bathroom. "Coming!" she called back, got her purse and headed to the stairs. Doug's jaw dropped as Carol made her way downstairs. She was wearing a short black dress, black high heels and her curls hang around her shoulders. Beautiful wasn't even the right word to describe her. Doug was speechless. No wonder they never made it out of the house when they wanted to go on a date. "Wow", he whispered as she put her hands around his neck and leaned in for a passionate kiss. "Is it okay?" Carol asked and now turned around in front of him. "Okay? Carol, I think I can't go out with you!" Doug chuckled. "You don't like it?" she then asked and smiled, knowing that he liked it. "You're so beautiful, Care. So beautiful", he said and stroke over her arms. "I'm afraid the other men could think the same…so…we need to stay at home", he smiled. "Oh Doug", Carol laughed and kissed him again. "I don't care about the other men", she then whispered into his ear and Doug smiled. "I love you", he answered and took her hand in his, finally ready to leave for that date.
The candlelight reflected in her eyes and her smile reached his heart. Doug didn't notice anything around him; only she in front of him was all he needed to see. They didn't need words to say "I love you" to each other. They felt it. It was more than just words. "Oh, you need to taste that one", she said and fed him with her fork. "Delicious", Doug answered and smiled. He couldn't wait to go home with her again, to have her for him alone. Of course he noticed all the looks of the guys in this room. Carol was more than beautiful and yes, he was kinda jealous. And of course Carol noticed that. Oh this was so good for her self esteem. How he looked at her. She could feel the love they had for each other. There was no need to be jealous. She only wanted him; she only wanted to be with him and with nobody else in the world. "Doug", she then said and he nodded. "I…I never asked you…if you're okay with staying here in Chicago. I mean…you have your job in Seattle, the house and…I'd be ready to go with you. I'm serious", Carol smiled and linked her hand with his. Doug stroke over her hand with his thumb and smiled. "I am now where I want to be, Carol. I choose you and not Seattle. I applied for a job at County again and I can sell the house in Seattle", he answered and Carol had to hold back tears. "Doug…I…I don't know what to say…but…why are you doing this for me? I…I hurt you and…I can't ask you to do this for me", Carol stumbled. Doug smiled again and leaned forward to kiss her shortly. "You don't have to ask. It's my choice. We started in Chicago and we should end it here", he smiled again and Carol finally nodded. "I don't know what to say", she answered and looked into his eyes. "Then don't say anything. You want dessert?" he then asked and Carol shook her head. "You're amazing, do you know that?" she chuckled and kissed him again. "Yeah well, I'm trying my best", he answered smiling. "I think I'll have my dessert later…at home", Carol then said and now Doug couldn't wait any minute longer to finally go home.
"Oh wow…it's so silent here without the kids", Doug murmured as they finally arrived at home and Carol smiled as she took of her coat. "We have to take advantage of this", she answered and took his hand to guide him upstairs. Doug chuckled. "Are you really sure? I mean, will you be okay?" he asked as he stopped behind her and Carol turned around. She went closer to him and put her hands around his neck. She smelled so good, Doug thought and smiled at her. "I think four years are enough time of waiting, right?" Carol answered and kissed him shortly. "And I am okay. I finally am. And I love you and I want to make love with you", she continued and Doug put a curl behind her ear. He looked deep into her eyes and he was lost in there. How often did he think about making love with her, touching her, stroking over her soft skin. Now he wouldn't have to think about it anymore. Now he finally could show her how much he really loved her.
Carol was nervous but also so excited to finally feel Doug again. She remembered their last night together and the pain she felt inside of her but now everything would be different. She smiled then as Doug laid her down on their bed and started to kiss her. How much did she miss that? Her smile faded away as Doug started to undress her and kissed her bare shoulder. "I love you, Care", he murmured and Carol closed her eyes. She wanted to feel him with all her senses. And it felt so good. His hands on her skin, his kisses, his words. She never wanted to miss this feeling again. As she opened her eyes again, she looked directly into Doug's and all she could feel was pure love for this man. She stroke over his cheek and kissed him passionately. She would never ever let him go again.
Doug didn't know what to do. Carol felt like porcelain in his hands. Her skin was so soft and he didn't want to hurt her. He stroked over her arms and noticed the goose bumps on it. God, how much more love could he feel for her? "I love you, Care", he murmured and saw that Carol closed her eyes. ~Are you okay, my love?~ He kissed her neck softly. She smelled so good. ~I'll never hurt you again. ~ She looked like an angel and everything felt like never before. Doug always loved sleeping with her, but this was so new. Slowly he traced his finger over her cheek and she opened her eyes again. And when she kissed him, he knew that everything was okay. He would never ever let her go again.
"Are you crying? Why? Did…did I hurt you?" Doug asked as he saw the tears in her eyes. Carol smiled and kissed him shortly. "No you didn't. I'm just so happy. Thank you", she kissed him again and again and again. Doug smiled in relief. "Do you know how beautiful you are?" he almost whispered and stroke over her cheek again. "Oh Doug", Carol chuckled but stopped then and looked very serious. "What?" Doug asked and sat up a little. "I wanna marry you", she suddenly said. Doug couldn't believe it. "Wow", he answered and Carol laughed. "Please…say yes. I'm proposing here…marry me, Doug", she said and now sat fully up. Doug cupped her face in his hands and kissed her passionately. "Very romantic proposal", he chuckled. "C'mon, it was way better than yours some years ago" she answered and punched him lightly in the arm. Doug chuckled and shook his head before he kissed her again. "The answer is yes", he said and drowned together with her one more time.
