Chapter 10

The next morning String found out that he would be released before noon. He was anxious to leave the hospital but what he wanted more than anything was to see and talk to Caitlin. Dom came into his room to find him dressed and waiting for the doctor to give the go ahead for him to leave.

"Well, you sure look a lot better today," said Dom. "You're not so green."

String smiled. "Yeah, yesterday was pretty rough," he replied. "Now I'm just excited to be getting out of here."

Dom's demeanor changed and String picked up on it right away. "What's the matter Dom?"

Santini handed String an envelope addressed to him from Caitlin. "I think you should read this now," he said softly.

The letter told String that Caitlin wanted to wait until she was released from the hospital in two days before they saw each other. She explained to him that she really needed some time to think and felt it was best that they wait to talk.

"Do you know what this says?" he asked Dom.
"Yes," Dom replied. "Let her have the time String. You've both been through a lot."

"I know we have," he replied. "It's just that the longer we're apart the more distant we're becoming."

Dom put his hand on String's shoulder. "Just hang in there and have faith," he said. "If you really love each other, it'll work out."

"I hope you're right Dom," replied String. "I really do."

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Two days later String was sitting patiently at the cabin waiting for Dom to drop Caitlin off. She was finally out of the hospital and able to walk some with the assistance of a cane. String was getting nervous about seeing her. The last time they'd talked was when they had the disagreement and she had left. He wasn't sure what he was going to say to her or how to even act.

He heard her come up the walkway and watched as she slowly opened the door and walked inside. She had her bag slung on one shoulder and was maneuvering pretty well with her cane. She dropped her bag on the floor and stopped and stared at him. He felt his heart beat faster and faster as he walked to over to her. Without saying a word he put his arms around her and gave her a hug. She hugged him back and they stood there for a moment without speaking. Finally he pulled away and looked at her. He wanted so badly to kiss her but he didn't feel the time was right.

Finally, to break the ice, he said, "How are you feeling? I see you're getting around pretty good."

She gave him a half smile. "I'm doing okay. It just sucks that it's the same leg that I had hurt my knee on. It was just getting well."

String assisted her to the couch. She sat at the end and propped her leg up.

He sat down on the other end and waited for her to continue the conversation. He knew what he needed to say to her, but he needed to know where her mind was at.

"I guess no one actually won my little game," she said. "Sorry about that. I would have never done that if I'd know about Cameron."

String sighed. "Actually, it would have been a great competition had Cameron not ruined it all. You really had me stumped. I had no idea you'd be hiding right under my nose," he said. "But, I guess in hindsight, it makes sense."

Caitlin smiled. "Since Saint John was the one to find me, and not you, I don't exactly know where we stand," she replied.

"Even if I had found you," said String. "Nothing would have changed."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I know I'm pretty stubborn," he replied. "And, I can promise you that I will never stop worrying about you."

"But?" she asked.

String smiled. "But, I don't want you to change Caitlin," he replied. "I love the person you are. I just had to be reminded that the Caitlin I fell in love with is adventurous and fun loving. I don't want t be with someone who just sits on the sidelines. I can't believe that I ever wanted to put you in that place."

Caitlin moved and sat closer to him. "String, don't you ever think that maybe I worry about you too?" she asked. "There have been times that I thought I lost you too you know."

"You're right," he said. "It's a two way street. All I know is that I don't want to give up what we have now for what might be later. I love you and without you nothing else seems important."

"I love you too," she said. "Now can I have my ring back?"

String laughed. "What? Are you asking me to marry you?" he teased.

"Yes," she replied. "I'm asking you to marry me!"

String reached into his pocket and pulled out his grandmother's ring. "You know this means you're stuck with me forever don't you?" he asked. "Think you can handle that?"

Caitlin grinned and pulled him into a kiss. "Oh, somehow I think I'll manage," she replied.