Thank you kindly to the enthusiastic response to last chapter! Sydney563 and I really enjoyed the passionate reviews regarding Lauren's secret and Allie's behavior.

Just a reminder, in case you are still wondering who is who, we are each writing one POV and not alternating chapters, so we are both present in each update so far. We hope you are still having fun, because we are. You guys are amazing :D

Chapter 10

Twenty minutes later, Betty came back with a box full of booze and beer. She lined it all up on the counter. "Dealers choice doc."

I smiled through red, puffy eyes. I shrugged as I walked to the couch and flopped down on it, curling my legs up underneath my body. Betty handed me a heavy glass full of the amber liquid I loved. Taking a large sip, I closed my eyes. The taste of Jameson immediately reminded me of Bo. Making the tears came again. Betty sat next to me, leaning against me and threw an arm around me.

"You can start talking or keep drinking. I will be here either way." She winked at me when I tried to smile at her. "Oh, I also called that private investigator back, gave her a huge piece of my mind. Best I could do without actually tracking her down in person and throwing her a right hook."

The image of Betty slugging Allie did bring a little laugh out of me. I chased it with another large sip of Jameson, cringing at the strong bite it had when it was straight from the bottle. I took a slow breath. "I was sixteen. Sixteen and utterly confused at what I was feeling versus what I thought I should be feeling." I paused, remembering the confusion of realizing at an early age that boys were not for me, but having to deal with being a part of a extremely wealthy family and having my life already planned out. Tipping the glass back up to my lips I leaned onto Betty. "One night, one mistake."

I could feel Betty sigh. "Lauren. We all did that, it's not a mistake. It's called figuring life out."

I looked up into her brown eyes. "But how many of us got pregnant the first and only time?"

I started crying again as my emotions were spilling over at a rapid rate. I could not think clearly, my head full of long suppressed memories. All pulled to the surface by Bo and her little private investigator.

I didn't remember much after that first glass, the second and the third full glass of Jameson. The world became blurry and numb. I could barely focus on Betty as I blubbered out things I had never told anyone since I was sixteen.

XXX

It was almost incomprehensible, the mess my relationship with Lauren had become. The woman had more secrets than an international spy, but I was still completely in love with her. Not a single thing that had been revealed about her over the last few weeks made my feelings waiver. I knew it was real, she was the one. In my many other "relationships" I would seemingly seek out any little reason why we would not work out. With Lauren, there was a virtual buffet being shoved in my face, yet I found every reason to keep pressing on. I knew what Allie had done was horrible. I would never be able to forgive her, but if she was trying to show me that I was still the woman I had always been, afraid of commitment, of letting go with someone, she failed miserably. Her efforts only showed me over and over again that Lauren was the only one I wanted for the rest of my life. I guess I owed her a thank you for that. For all she did wrong, she opened my eyes to what I had and what I wanted. I wanted Lauren. I would give Lauren some time tonight, but after work tomorrow I was going back to her house. I wouldn't let her push me away, I was going to fight for her until my last breath.

I picked up my cell and typed a message. It was short, but it was everything I felt and meant. "Lauren, I love you. Please, don't shut me out."

I put it back on the table and stared at the bottle of Jameson that was still left in the liquor cabinet. I bought it just because of her, knowing that sooner or later she would be sitting here with me. I wanted her to know that I paid attention to the little things, that everything she said, no matter how seemingly inconsequential, was important to me. I smiled sadly at the warm memory of our impromptu make out session in my kitchen. I forced myself to the cabinet, set a glass down and poured a generous helping of the smooth liquid courage. I settled back on the couch, sipping the whiskey, slowly drifting off into an alcohol induced slumber. My imagination ran wild with all the things Lauren and I would do together once we found our way around the obstacles we faced.

Falling asleep on the couch was not conducive to a pleasant morning. My neck was stiff neck and my back ached. I groaned as I pushed up from the devil sofa that inflicted such discomfort. I stood there staring, my brow creased, as the bulky conglomerate of ill constructed foam and wood seemingly smirked at me. Maybe I would buy a new one, a recliner, maybe a loveseat to share with Lauren. This time I would make sure it was comfortable instead of pretty. I rolled my neck from side to side trying to work out the kinks the best I could as I pushed the button on the coffee maker. The only thing that sounded better than coffee right now was a hot shower. Maybe it would help ease my aching muscles. I laid out the suit of the day, my lucky black power suit and dark grey blouse. While it was true that I owned more than a handful of black suits, the cut on this one hugged me in all the right places, giving me that little extra boost in the confidence department. Everybody had that one thing, that one article of clothing that just made you feel better about yourself for one reason or another. This was mine. I quickly showered, dressed and did my hair, grabbing a thermos of coffee on my way to the courthouse.

Today I hoped that the judge would rule in my favor. It would be a relief to close this early. The defense's case had fallen apart the last few days and I could almost taste the victory. My client would finally get what was rightfully theirs and justice would be done. I loved my job, I truly did. It was these moments I enjoyed the most, but lately, my mind was focused on other things. Other beautiful, geeky, blonde things and I couldn't wait for this day to be done. I was more than ready to see Lauren and bust through the rest of our walls together.

Just after lunch, it was all over. I took a moment to enjoy the victory with my clients. The formalities of shaking hands and talking to reporters was agonizingly slow and maintaining a smile when I only wanted to leave was painful. I practically sprinted from the courthouse, making a beeline for my car. I drove with purpose, winding my way through traffic, undeterred by anything that stood in my way until I found myself stopped in front of her house. I got out of the car, peeling off my jacket and taking a deep breath. I wasn't sure what to expect, but my stomach had that familiar little flutter I had come to expect when I was about to see her. I checked myself in the mirror one last time. I looked so formal, so stiff with my hair up and an extra button done up on my blouse to appease the ultra conservative judge in that case. Striding up to the front door, I let my hair down and undid the buttons, going one lower than normal. I knew how much she loved to sneak a peek. I felt my skin flush and shook the thought from my head as I knocked on the door. I hadn't heard a word from Lauren since I left, a fact that made me a little uneasy, but whatever was waiting for me on the other side of the door was a mystery that was about to present itself.

Betty opened the door. A soft smile formed as her eyes lit up seeing me in the door way. "Bo. I am so glad you're here."

I was a little surprised to see her here, but not at all threatened. I knew Lauren's heart was mine and mine alone. Despite my worries of how this evening would play out, for the first time in my life, I wasn't suspicious or jealous of another woman with my girlfriend. "Hello Betty. We haven't been formally introduced." I held out my hand and she shook it with a laugh.

"No, I guess we haven't, but you've already seen me in my underwear."

She winked at me, turned and walked toward the kitchen. I felt myself blush, that was not one of my best moments. I cleared my throat as I followed her into the house. There was no sign of Lauren, making me fear the worst. The slight tremble in my hands had migrated to my voice as I spoke, "Um, how's Lauren? I'd like to see her."

Betty shook her head and leaned on the counter, motioning to the other room. "She's in bed, totally smashed. It's not a pretty sight."

"We're talking about Lauren here, it's always a pretty sight." I smiled softly, unable to hide my enthusiasm when it came to the woman who had affected my very core.

Betty's sincere smile returned. "You really do love her don't you?"

"More than anything." I smiled back, her warmth was infectious, setting my nerves at ease.

"Well then, I will leave her in your capable hands, Bo." She threw her bag over her shoulder, giving me a slight nod as she passed.

"Thanks." I looked in the bedroom and saw Lauren fast asleep, sprawled out across her bed. She definitely looked like a drunk.

"Betty?"

"Yeah?"

We both turned to face one another again. "I'm really glad she has a friend like you, someone who is there for her. She's lucky."

"Thanks, but I'm sure you know that we are the lucky ones. She's one of a kind."

"Yeah she is."

She walked back, leaned in and gave me a strong hug. "Hang in there Bo. She's worth the fight and I can tell, so are you."

"Thanks Betty. That means a lot to me."

And it did. More so now that Allie was not a part of my life. I had grown accustomed to having that supportive shoulder that was now absent. I wanted to be worthy of Lauren and it felt good to have her close friend give me the thumbs up. Despite her perceived flaws, Lauren was still perfection in my eyes. I locked the door, grabbed a glass of water and walked into the bedroom. I could tell it had been a rough one for her. I kicked off my heels and laid down next to her in the bed just watching her sleep.

XXX

Somehow I ended up in my bed. Waking up a handful of hours later I felt drained. I felt sick as the clock on my bedside table glared at me, telling me it was almost five o'clock in the afternoon. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, my nose immediately filled with the lingering smell of Bo and the perfume she always wore. The gentle scent made my heart tighten. I rolled over and grabbed her pillow, burying my face in it. My fears of losing Bo running on a high again. My mouth was dry, I needed water desperately. I tried to sit up but the hangover hit me like a runaway truck. I had to hold my head as I fell back into the bed. I groaned, "Betty! Please bring me some water." My voice came out as a harsh rasp from all the crying I had done and all the Jameson I had dumped down my throat in a effort to drink until I felt nothing. I groaned again as my own voice increased my headache. I opened my eyes to try and assess how bad the world was still spinning.

I went to sit up when I felt a hand on my shoulder, stilling me. "Hang on, I will help you sit up Lauren."

Her voice always made my heart race, it did now, even as hungover as I was. My eyes closed as I felt her sit next to me on the bed and gently pull me up to rest against her and the headboard. When I was somewhat upright, she pushed a cold glass of water in my hand.

"Drink this, from what I understand you already had a rough day." Her voice was soft and gentle.

Bo pushed some hair away from my face, pulling me to look at her.

"Bo. I..."

She shook her head. "Court ended two hours ago, I came directly here. Betty let me in and warned me that you would be in a bit of a state." She sighed and looked deep in my eyes. "I wasn't about to wait for you like the other times. I started this..." Bo drifted off, both of us understanding what she meant. I tried to move away from her body warmth as I struggled to keep from throwing up.

I sipped the water. "You won't like me after I tell you everything. You will hate me and I will understand if you never want to see me again." I looked into her deep brown eyes, brown eyes that I missed even as I looked at them. "I will tell you everything, everything your private investigator told you and more. I am a terrible person."

Bo's hand found mine, holding onto it tightly. "Whatever it is Lauren, I can promise you I won't run, I won't hate you. More than anything I love you, I will always love you."

I laughed lightly, wanting to pull my hand free from Bo's. But her grip on mine told me that it would not be as easy as that. For a few moments the room filled with silence. The pounding of my heart and my head were the only things I could hear aside from the gentle breathing of Bo as she was shoulder to shoulder with me in the bed. I looked at her. I wanted to memorize her before I revealed my past in full. The feeling that when I was done, she would leave me was settling in to every fiber of my being. Bo was looking at our hands together, with a soft smile. She was beautiful in her dark grey button down and her black dress pants. She had come directly from court. Her hair was up and near her collarbone, I could still see the faint mark left on her from our night together. Bo looked into my eyes and I could see the same fear in her eyes, the overwhelming love and confusion pass over them as she smiled wider to comfort me.

I finished the glass of water. Bo took it from me and stood up. "I will get you some more. You want anything else?"

I stared at her and just opened my mouth and started, "My name, my birth name is Nora Wiles. Lauren Lewis is a combination of my mother's maiden name and my grandmothers first name. My mother and I picked it out after my father kicked me out of the house two days after Elizabeth was born. I was sixteen and was ignorant to the world, what I really wanted and who I was."

Bo stood still, clutching the empty glass. She nodded for me to continue as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed. I hung my head down, focusing on my hands that were shaking from dehydration and emotions. "I am the only daughter of the great Wiles family. We are quite the big deal in the medical world and wealthy beyond anyone's dreams. You can Google us and you will see how prestigious of a family it is." I clutched the glass tighter. "Yes, I do have a trust fund. But I have never touched it, will probably never ever touch it. Everything I have, I worked for on my own since I was disowned by my father."

I felt Bo's hand on my leg. "Lauren, I never cared if you had money or not."

I smiled. "Some people in your life seem to care a lot about where my money comes from." I took a breath to calm the anger that was rising. Allie had gone too far and I knew I would have my day with her. I had to hold it in and not take it out on Bo. "My life was planned out from the moment I was born. I would follow in my fathers footsteps, become a doctor, marry a handsome fellow doctor and continue the Wiles lineage. But I decided otherwise when I wanted to do human relief work, charity work, go into research medicine. I also wanted to marry a beautiful lady." I smiled weakly at Bo. "Another secret I had to hide. I knew I was gay at young age, but for the sake of my father who I adored, I shoved that into the closet and tried to date the boys he thought fit for me."

I slid down into the bed, rolling on my side as my headache begged me to lay down. I heard Bo whisper she would be right back, coming back in a second with another glass of water and aspirin. Helping me to swallow it down, she sat closer to me on the edge of the bed. I could see all over her face that she wanted to lay next to me and wrap me up in her arms but was hesitant. "Lauren, I am sorry that Allie..."

I shook my head and cut her off. "This was a long time coming. No one has ever heard the truth, maybe Betty a few hours ago, but I am not sure if it was just whiskey ramblings."

Bo grabbed a blanket and covered me, placing a hand on my hip. "What happened?" It was a simple question, but it was more than simple.

"Prom. Prom happened." I let out a soft laugh. "I know, typical right? But it was my senior prom, I was a year ahead of everyone and on the fast track to college and medical school. I was prepped to be a doctor by the time I was 23." I reached over and put my hand on top of Bo's. "I was dating a boy that had pursued me the entire year. He was in the speech club and had ambitions to be president. My father was overjoyed at the idea and I sucked it up, finally getting my fathers approval. I did like Justin, he was kind to me, cute and smart." I paused for a second, building up courage for the next part. "We had sex that night after the prom, awkward first time sex. Neither of us had any idea what we were doing and as smart as I am, that night we fumbled around so bad we forgot to use protection."

I cringed at the sudden sweaty memory in the back of Justin's parents car he had borrowed for the night. "A month later I went in to the doctor for a strep throat infection, they ran a blood test and surprise. I was a month pregnant."

I rolled my head slightly to look at Bo better. "I was a real life lifetime movie about teen pregnancy. I told my mother and we both told my father. He lost his mind, telling me I was a disgrace to the family and that we had to hide the fact I was stupid enough to do this to him. Insert a thousand other horrible things he called me. He pulled me from school and moved my mother and I to the vacation house up in Connecticut. I was well and done with high school that I could graduate early and say I was starting pre-college courses."

Bo's eyes never left mine, I could see the tears begging to fall as I told the story. "Oh my god, Lauren. What about the father, Justin?"

I shrugged. "He bolted and refused to take responsibility. I began to hate the baby inside of me. I hated what it was doing to my family, that I wouldn't be able to go to college full time. Medical school was not going to happen. How could I be a medical student and take care of a baby? I hated everything the baby stood for. It was tearing my family apart." I bit my lip as tears slipped down my face.

Bo reached up and wiped them away, holding her hand against my cheek. "Lauren you were young. You didn't know any better."

I reached and pulled her hand down slowly. "I hated my own child. When she was born I didn't want to look at her. I refused to and when my father came to tell me that my mother and him would be taking the baby, I didn't fight him. I didn't fight him when he told me that I was to move out immediately and have no contact with the family. That I was being disowned and had brought shame to the family."

Bo swallowed hard as she was holding back more tears and the anger that was flooding into her eyes.

"I let him, Bo. I let him take her, tell the world it was a late in life pregnancy and that I had run away to backpack in Europe. He did it all to protect his stupid reputation as man of upstanding morals. If it wasn't for my mother helping secretly, I would have not made it. I worked in malls, restaurants, a medical examiners office, trying to pay the bills of living alone at sixteen. I had scholarships for university and medical school so I could focus on fulfilling my dream. I was able to disappear and not look back at what I thought was my terrible life mistake. I ignored all of the letters from my mother with pictures of my daughter until she eventually gave up completely. I fully embraced my life as Lauren Lewis and was able to start a new life, one free of the Wiles name and my daughter." I paused as I heard Bo sniffle. I pulled her towards me, hugging her tightly. I couldn't handle seeing her cry, especially if it was because of me. "Don't cry for me, I am horrible person. I gave up my child like she was an unwanted book."

Bo held me tight for a moment before leaning back to look at me. "You are not horrible, your father is horrible for pushing you into decisions a sixteen year old should never have to make."

"Bo, I gave her up. I gave her up for my own selfish reasons, my own confusing anger at what I had done. I had sex once and got pregnant. The great genius I was and I couldn't remember how basic human sexual biology worked. I gave up my responsibility and couldn't do the one thing a mother is suppose to, love her child unconditionally. Instead I blamed her."

Bo shook her head. "No, No, Lauren. Stop saying that."

I rolled over to the edge of the bed so I could drink the water. Setting the empty glass down I leaned forward. "I went to Afghanistan to get even further away. My parents had divorced when Elizabeth was eight. My mother was completely fed up with my fathers behavior, repeating his controlling behavior with Elizabeth. My father finally tried reaching out to me, maybe to pull me back in to gain my mothers trust again. I took doctors without borders knowing no one could find me, or have constant contact with me." I stared at my fingerprints as they smudge the glass in my hands, "My father died two weeks after my incident in Afghanistan. The only reason my mother found me was because of the news coverage of the incident."

Bo's hand went to my back, trying to comfort me. "I am so sorry."

I could tell she was at a loss of words. I leaned on my hand looking at her. "Don't be. I know I am not. When my mother told me he passed away from a heart attack, I felt as if it was the end of my misery. As selfish as it sounds, it was like I was set free from my past. I came home and started finding happiness. It was as if I finally could have it knowing he would not come out of the corner and ruin it with his opinions, or his forceful ways of making all of us do as he wanted."

I stood up slowly, walking over to the dresser on the far side of my room. I picked up the frame I had set there earlier in my drunken stupor. I held it in my hands, running a finger over my daughter. "When I came home, my mother reached out to me. She wanted me to be a part of Elizabeth's life. We decided it was best that I was only known as a family friend, a long distance cousin that my mother wanted to help guide Elizabeth as she set on the family path of becoming a doctor." I held out the frame to Bo. She took it as she stood in front of me.

"She looks exactly like you, she is beautiful." Bo smiled at me with glassy eyes.

"She is. She is smart, kind hearted, funny and there is nothing she wouldn't do if you asked it of her." I folded my arms tight against my chest. "The last few months her and I have grown closer. I am feeling the bonds of a mother and daughter building. I have no idea how I ever walked away from such a remarkable young woman. My mother raised her alone and I feel so guilty. Guilty I abandoned my child and missed most of her life. Guilty that I let my mother take on the responsibility I should have." I let out a sigh as sobs threatened to come out. "The week before I met you in the cafe, my mother and I began discussing telling Elizabeth the truth. To tell her I am her mother. I am fifteen years too late, but I know that there is nothing in the world I want more than to be a mother to my daughter."

I finally broke and let the sobs take over as I slid down the dresser to the floor, my knees pulled up to my chest. "I met you, and I wanted nothing more than to have the life I gave up. I wanted to share my past with you. I got scared when you investigated my time in Afghanistan, because I had hid that for so long and then I was scared you somehow you would find out about Elizabeth." I looked at Bo as she knelt in front of me trying to comfort me. "I am a terrible person. I have done terrible things that have put so many people in harms way. I fell in love with you, because you made me want to be better, to share all the horrible things I did. Never in my life did I ever feel loved completely, or loved anything or anyone completely, until I met you."

I covered my face in my hands as I sobbed harder. I couldn't even hear anything Bo was saying as she wrapped her arms around me, trying to soothe the sobs. I tried to push her away, but she held tighter. She pulled my face up to look at her with both hands.

"Look at me, please Lauren, look at me." I could barely see her through my puffy, teary eyes. She had tears rolling down her face. "I love you, completely, wholly and with everything I have. Your past is your past, all that matters is you are sharing it with me and doing everything you can to change it, fix it." Bo leaned her forehead against mine. "I meant it when I said I want to spend the next fifty years with you. There is nothing that could chase me away from you, even if you told me you were a man. I am in love with you and I don't ever want to go back to the days when I wasn't, the days when you weren't in my life."

She took a shaky breath and met my eyes again, "I have never wanted anyone as much as I want you. I will not leave you because of this." She smiled, "I will help you to reconnect with your daughter as best as I can. But I hate to tell you, Dr. Lewis, you can't get rid of me that easily. We are in this together."

I stared at her, my body slipping into complete exhaustion from expelling all of the emotions I had. I had emptied out my heart and the secrets I held and I was on the verge of collapsing into a ball. I took a slow, steady breath. "Are you sure Bo?"

Bo leaned forward and kissed my cheek. "More than I ever have about anything in my life. I am yours forever."

I pulled her into my arms as I started crying again. I tried to choke out that I loved Bo just as much or more, but my sobs wouldn't let me. Bo just held me tight and whispered she already knew. I didn't even register her helping me up and putting me back into bed. My heart was heavy until I felt her crawl into the bed, cuddling up next to me and holding me tight, letting me cry myself to sleep in her arms.

XXX

Tears filled my eyes as her body shook hard against mine. All of the fear and pain she had been hiding from the world, from me, was finally released from the cage she had forced it into over the years. I pulled her in closer, my body wrapped tightly around hers in a protective cocoon. I left no doubt that I would never let her go. The minutes passed slowly before I felt her relax. The rise and fall of her chest slowly settled into a regular rhythm as her soft cries petered out. I let my fingers sift through her silky hair, kissing her softly on the head as she fell asleep in my arms. I whispered, "I love you Lauren and I'll be right here when you wake up."

She let out a sleepy snort and pushed back into me, bringing a smile to my face and a thump in my chest. I nuzzled against her, enjoying the feel of her body with mine. We fit so perfectly, the way our hands intertwined, how our bodies melded together and the way we made one another want to be better people. I was happy to have it all out in the clear. I regretted the way it happened, but I was happy none the less. I knew it was early evening, but I was content to drift off to sleep holding the woman that had captured me so completely. In just the span of a few weeks, I had already forgotten what life was like without her. I only knew that it was not a time or place I ever wanted to revisit.

The ache in my arm, a result of her body weight pressing down over the last few hours, pulled me from a deep sleep. My hand was numb and throbbing from the loss of blood flow, desperately screaming for relief. The room was pitch black. I had no idea what time it was, but I needed to free my arm and use the bathroom. It would even be nice to slip out of these dress clothes. I turned my head in the direction of her light snores. My eyes adjusted to the darkness enabling me to just barely make out the lines of her body. There was something comforting about waking up to her, like I was finally where I was meant to be. I smiled, thinking of at least fifty more years of this. Nothing would make me happier.

With some gentle maneuvering, I managed to pull my arm free without waking her. I rolled out of the bed as softly as possible, shaking the dead limb back to life. I slipped off my blouse and slacks, draping them over the dresser nearby I had bumped into, then tip toed to the bathroom. Morning breath was taking hold, the foul taste in my mouth was amplified since I didn't brush my teeth last night. I pulled the cap from the mouthwash, taking a pull of the green liquid. The sting of the alcohol woke my senses as I swished forcefully. My eyes drifted around the room. It was extremely organized for a bathroom. Light blue walls with white trim and some beachy decor. I noticed the the clock on the wall, a picture of the sea, it read four thirty in the morning. I spit the minty liquid down the drain and sighed, relieved that I still had a few more hours to hold her before sunrise. I intended to enjoy the morning in the manner we should have had the other day before whirlwind Allie blew the roof off of Lauren's life. I reached for the light switch, but something caught my eye instead. It was a small school photo of her daughter tucked in the corner of the dark wood cabinet. It looked recent and I couldn't help but take a good look at the young girl. I reached out and touched the photo, smiling at the beautiful young woman whose image in a moment of time had been forever captured in the ink and glossy paper. She truly was Lauren in every sense. Not just her looks, but you could see in her gentle brown eyes that she was different, brilliant. They held a thirst for all the answers to all the wonders of the world. I hoped she would accept Lauren when the truth did come out. I was pretty sure she would have some anger over being lied to and having missed out on her mother all these years, but if she rejected her, I feared for the way Lauren would react. If the girl's heart was anything like her mother's though, there would be plenty of room in there for her.

I flicked off the light, holding my place for a few moments while my eyes readjusted to the dark. I blindly stumbled over my shoes as I shuffled my way back to bed, cursing myself under my breath for not kicking them off somewhere out of the way. I rolled back into bed as gently as I'd left, doing my best not to disturb my sleeping beauty. Placing my arm under my head, I looked up at a ceiling that was too dark to see, just taking a moment to appreciate having found that special someone. It was everything people said true love would be. There was fireworks and frustration. It was intense and consuming and so many other descriptive words I could look up in the dictionary. From the moment I saw her, everything that happened since then, good or bad, had been completely worth it. Every single bit of it.

The bed shifted and she rolled to face me. I felt her warm breath on my skin, her arm draped possessively across my waist. I smiled at her finding me even in her sleep. Her nose nuzzled deep into the crook of my neck, causing tiny goose bumps to pucker across my flesh. I heard her mumble against my skin, "I'm glad you fought for me, Bo."

The small smile that had been on my face blew up like the sun, so bright I thought I could light up the blackness of the room. "Always." I kissed her on top of the head and rubbed light circles on her back until I felt her breathing even out once again. There were no words in the dictionary to adequately describe this moment, this woman and how I felt right now. I felt lighter than I had in a while, falling asleep peacefully with her beside me.

My eyes fluttered open, the bright light of day blinding me through the window. I winced and covered my eyes with my arm, thankful it was the weekend and time was not a factor today. Her body was still pressed to mine, her arm holding me close. I felt a stirring deep inside. It was love, lust and the warm feeling that came with knowing I was wanted. I was used to people desiring me, I just never felt the same way. This time was different. This time, I was the one who desperately wanted to be wanted by her. I was suddenly acutely aware of what the others I briefly shared my life with had felt like.

I was torn between staying here with her as I said I would, or making her breakfast. My stomach rumbled in protest of skipping dinner and sleeping past seven. It had to be at least ten in the morning and I couldn't remember the last time I slept that long. Usually, I only got five or six hours of sleep, but I had to say I felt refreshed. She began to stir, her muscles tensing in a stretch that made her tighten her hold on me.

"Mmm, Bo, you're here."

Her voice was low and raspy, her eyes flickered open with some effort and those soft brown eyes met mine. My stomach fluttered at the sight of the sleepy smile that crept up her lips when she looked at me. The idea that I could make her smile still amazed me.

"I said I would be." I squeezed her against my side.

"Yeah, I just...I'm sorry you had to see me like that."

I brushed the hair out of her face, smiling lovingly. She pulled my hand to her lips, kissing me softly on my palm.

"Thank you for staying."

"I meant it when I said we were in this together. I will be by your side for as long as you'll have me, which I hope is a long time."

"At least the next fifty years?"

I could hear the crack in her voice as she spoke with hesitation. Maybe she thought I'd like to retract my earlier statement and run for my life. Her fingers sliped under the hem of my shirt that had ridden up during the night. They traced random patterns lightly across my skin sending a shiver through my body. "At least." I met her eyes again, staring deeply, sincerely, hoping to convey every thing I felt in that one look.

She looked away shyly and cleared her throat. "Okay. Bo, I'm sorry you have to deal with all this. You're probably wondering how you fell for the crazy woman."

There was an uncomfortable chuckle that followed. I knew she was still unsure of how I felt even though I was still here. "Well, in light of full disclosure, I should probably tell you that I can be crazy." I watched her eyes come alive. Dangling the little tidbit of a glimpse into my past had her hanging on my every word. She nodded, urging me to continue my story. It couldn't compare to what she had told me, but at least she would know that I had also been young and made mistakes.

"When I was 16, I lived in Detroit for a brief time. My friend and I got into her father's liquor cabinet one night and we got absolutely smashed. A cop found us at two in the morning climbing the Spirit of Detroit statue. Jen was hanging off of it with one hand and I was scaling it acting like King Kong, both of us laughing hysterically. Our parents had to pick us up at the jail. Luckily, my mother was very influential and nothing ever came from it legally. We had to agree to do twenty hours of volunteer work, but it kept my clean record intact. I sure got an earful at home though."

Her laugh was music to my ears. "Let me make you some breakfast, you have to be starving. Besides, I'm sure you need something in you stomach after yesterday."

"Now who's the doctor?" She smirked up at me, her fingers still ghosting over my flesh. "Thank you for that, Bo."

"No problem. I'm just taking care of my girl." I smirked back, happy that she was in a good mood after the drama yesterday.

"Your girl? I like the sound of that." She rolled over and sat up, running her fingers through her hair. "I really need a shower first. That and my toothbrush."

"Do you have any plans today? Maybe we could spend it together?" I was hopeful. I wanted to know more about her and her about me. We really needed some alone time. Drama free alone time, to just enjoy one another's company.

"That would be nice. I don't have any plans today. Tomorrow I'm supposed to see Elizabeth."

She looked back and smiled, making my insides melt, such a tiny thing that meant so much. She pushed up and walked to the bathroom, stretching her limbs along the way. My eyes never left her as she crossed the room. She paused at the doorway and looked back at me. She looked as if she were contemplating something. Her mouth opened as if to speak, but closed just as fast, deciding not to voice whatever thought she had. I could see the love in her eyes, love and relief that I stood by her side in this difficult time. I swallowed hard, my pulse quickened under her gaze. I wondered if she knew that she was having such an effect on me without even trying.

"I uh, will make us some breakfast while you get cleaned up." What came out of my mouth certainly didn't match what my mind, or my body was telling me. I wanted her, just as I always did, but now I felt a deeper connection. It was hardly the time to pounce on her. I sighed and got out of bed. She stared at me as I approached. I placed my hand on her cheek and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Enjoy your shower. I'll see you in a few minutes."

As I moved away, her hand caught my arm, stopping me in my tracks. Her voice was unsteady, vulnerable. "You could join me, umm, if you wanted to. I mean, I'd like it if you did."

I turned back to her, surprised that she seemed so unsure of her request. I nodded silently and waited for her to make the next move. She pulled her shirt up over her head and let it fall to the floor. Her eyes never left mine as her slender fingers slipped inside the waistband of the shorts. As she began to pull them down, she stepped into the bathroom, disappearing from view. I know it wasn't meant to be seductive, but I couldn't help the way my body responded to her. I heard the water turn on, but I was way ahead. I was already soaked without stepping foot inside the shower. Without a second thought I stripped off my clothes and followed.

I slid into the shower behind her. My breath caught, she was beautiful. Her wet hair was slicked back, the water cascading down her body causing it to glisten in the sun pouring in through the skylight. I took the loofah from her and began to wash her back. When I was done, my hands went to her hips. Needing to feel her skin on mine, I pulled her gently against me. Her body relaxed back into mine as she sighed. My hands drifted, caressing up and down along the outside of her thighs, my mouth taking up residence along the nape of her neck. She tipped her head away as I nibbled and kissed my way up to her ear, enjoying every shiver I sent through her.

"You feel so good," I whispered, my heart pounding hard in my chest.

She moaned softly then covered my hands with her own and pulled them up, kissing each one carefully before placing them over her breasts. She gasped when I began to massage them lightly. I let one hand slide down her stomach, holding her tight to me. She pushed her hips back into me. That little flutter in my stomach returned. What we did the other night was full of desire and a need to satisfy the lust that had built up over the weeks. This moment right here, this was tender, I had never felt so loved. The hunger I had earlier for food had shifted to the woman in front of me. I could think of nothing other than my burning need to let her feel how much I loved her. We had everything ahead of us now and I couldn't think of a better way for it to start.

XXX

Reviews! You know we love'em! Reviews and chocolate, but since we can't get chocolate, we love to read your reviews ;D