The next month: Benny had been dragging for a few days and hadn't FaceTimed Valerie. He had just finished work for the day and was on his couch with a white t shirt on fresh form the shower and some older sweats from law school that he wore around his house when he felt lazy. Then he heard his FaceTime signal and the word Texas popped up on screen with the little heart symbol beside it.

" Hey honey."

" Well howdy back Benny. You look a little worn around the edges ." Valerie said softly.

" I don't know if I'm trying to come down with something but I've just felt low energy this week."

" Well would a hug help?"

" It would but you're in Texas right now." He said softly,

" Well you could open your door and collect." She smiled.

" Wait what?" He clicked his door open then and Valerie stood there in a rose colored jacket with a scoop necked matching top with a blue star on the front over some jeans.

She placed some bags down on the floor and Spooky walked out of one to go and find Lola to play with.

The other looked bigger than an overnight bag but wasn't a full suitcase.

Valerie walked over and hugged him for a moment. Something lightly floral wafted into the room as he stood there. Then he said " How?"

" Well I just asked Jason if you had been busy and the next thing I knew a pilot friend of his was flying down to bring me up here. He said you had tommorrow off and to enjoy your long weekend. "

" That's Bull. He worries when I'm not at the top of my game."

" He cares for his brother. "

" I know."

" So Mr. Colon tell me what hurts so I can help it feel better." Her hand touched his face gently .

" I've just had a scratchy throat off and on. A few muscle aches here and there."

" Would you be opposed to a bath?"

" I had a hot shower earlier and I was just going to sprawl on my couch before you came."

" All right then why don't you get yourself comfy and I'll make a little tea for you that might help."

Benny kissed her cheek. " Thank you sweetheart. I missed you ."

" I know, me too." She smiled at him and watched while he curled up under a pewter colored blanket with a red stripe at the bottom that looked like it was handmade. She wondered if it had been something that his mother had done and thought oh honey.

Then she went and found some tea from Bella Colon and put some water on to boil for it. She knew it would taste good and also relax him a little. She found some honey and decided to squirt some into the mug of boiling water after she had added the teabag to it.

" Here we are." She sat down beside him and lifted part of the blanket over her lap,

" I like this." He said,

" This blanket looks older, did someone get it for you?"

" My mom made it. I guess I've been thinking of her lately."

Valerie held his hand. " I see."

" Sometimes it sneaks up. I can do fine for a while and then something will bring it back.. But then I was a mamas boy, still am." He looked down at the cats for a moment.

" You told me it was okay to hurt Benny." Valerie's thumb skimmed his jawline.

" I know. I guess I just wish she was here to know you . That I found the real thing. She would love you that much I know. "

" Benny." Valerie just held him.

" I don't talk about her a lot. I should more often."

" Everybody has their things that are hard."

" I know but now I want to enjoy this time with you." His arm lifted and wrapped around her shoulder. " I love you Valerie Stone,"