Chapter Eleven:
He wasn't sure when he had fallen asleep but he woke to find her clutching his shirt while she slept. He tried to gently unravel their legs but finally gave up when she moaned and clutched tighter. He decided he was needed there and dismissed trying to cook dinner. She woke suddenly and he felt a slight tremble.
"Sara?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep again. You must be hungry," she said.
"How about you?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"You haven't eaten since breakfast," he said. He sat up, pulling her with him.
"Get dressed," he said.
She did what she was told sitting there on the edge of the bed not sure what he wanted to do.
"We're getting out for awhile," he said.
She glanced at him but said nothing as she slipped on her shoes.
They ate at a small diner along the beach. He purposely ordered for both of them and he insisted that she eat before they could leave. Once the task was done, they dropped off at the local market and picked up groceries. She said nothing as he loaded up the grocery cart knowing that he would not be staying to eat the food.
He thinks I'm not going to eat once he leaves again…
Going to stock the beach house before he leaves….
He's going to leave soon…
She glanced at him once or twice but said nothing. Once they returned to the house, he put the things away as she sat out on the deck and watched the ocean. He stood there now in the doorway as she finally turned to face him.
"When do you leave?" she asked.
"In two days," he said softly.
She didn't expect it to be so soon. She turned quickly to hide the disappointment.
"You could come with me," he said.
She shook her head.
"I could stay," he offered.
She shook her head.
He sighed.
"What are your plans?" he asked coming to sit beside her.
"Stay here," she said.
"Sara, you've visited your parents…what's left?"
"I'm not sure….I just know I can't go back yet," she said.
He nodded. It wasn't the answer he wanted but at least when he went back he would know where to find her.
"You'll stay in contact?" he asked.
She nodded.
"I'll miss you," she said quietly.
"Walk with me," he said as he extended this hand.
She stood as he took her hand and they walked along the beach. The wind was cool but she felt warm by his side. As they walked he told her quietly how each of them had been trying to cope.
"Sara, you should call Jim. He's been worried," he said rubbing his fingers against her hand.
"I will."
The walk had been good and when they finally returned, they were both exhausted. He pulled her down on the couch with him once he had put more wood on the fire.
"Your phone hasn't rung since you've been here," she said.
"I turned it off," he said. "I didn't want to be disturbed."
"What if they've been trying to reach you?" she asked.
He sighed picking up his phone and then checking the messages.
"None," he said.
"Really?" she asked.
"I think they knew I needed a break. I seemed to have lost my diversion."
"Your diversion? I thought you rode roller coasters."
"I used to ride roller coasters…then I changed it. You became my diversion."
She smiled.
"Gil?"
"Hmmm?"
"The letter I left you? I really meant it when I said you were the only home I've ever had," she said.
He smiled and pulled her closer.
She woke the next morning and found him gone. She grabbed his robe and then headed onto the deck. It was a nice sunny day. She smiled when she heard him return. She called to him and he stepped out onto the deck with a smile on his face.
"Where've you been so early in the morning?" she asked.
"Getting you something," he said handing her the bag.
She opened it and looked at him.
"I want to hear your voice," he said. "Email won't do."
She took out the phone and grinned.
"You're signed up under my plan…you can call me anytime…I've even programmed your phone for you with all the old numbers…just a click of a button and you've got me," he said smiling.
She smiled.
"You could also text me…of course I'm still trying to figure that out on my own phone," he said.
She smiled as he came and sat down next to her.
"Sleep better?" he asked.
She nodded.
She had slept better these last few days since his arrival. She had missed sleeping with him. She tried not to think that soon he would be gone and she would be alone again.
He's preparing for it…..
Stocking the house with groceries….
Getting the phone…
"Gil?"
He turned to look at her.
"I'm glad you came. I needed this," she said.
He held up her hand and kissed the palm.
"Me too," he said softly.
"I would go back if I could," she said. "I'm not ready."
He nodded.
"Soon?" he said in a questioning way.
"Soon," she replied.
He believed it.
He had to believe it.
His finger twirled the gold band around his finger and he swallowed hard. She belonged to him now just as he had always belonged to her. He feared for her and yet he knew he would have to leave her there to face the rest of her inner demons on her own. It was not what he wanted but he had only been given a few days off and already he was past the time he should be back. Work did not matter at the moment. It had merely been a diversion until finding her again. He was concerned about the others since the stress level in the lab had been at an all time high. He feared mostly for Warrick since he was slowly shutting himself off. He had no intention of letting his job replace her from his top priority and intended to return the moment he got a chance. He glanced at her as he reached over and kissed her.
"Omelet?" He offered.
She smiled.
"I'm going to miss your omelets," she said.
"I hope you miss more than that," he said with a grin as he got up and headed inside.
He tried to hide his fear and sadness. He did not want to leave her. He barely functioned when he was not with her. He needed her from the moment he woke till the time he slept and soon he would be without her again. He smiled in her direction and told himself to be thankful for the moment.
They spent the rest of the day in bed. He pulled out his book he had brought and read to her. She had missed his voice. When nothing else made sense, it was his voice that calmed her inner struggles keeping her grounded for so many months after the abduction. She closed her eyes as she lay curled up next to him. She savored every touch, every feel and every inflection in his voice, telling herself she would go on when he left. She just didn't convince herself as the hours quickly passed and soon they were once again facing goodbye.
Note from author:
Thanks so much for the reviews.
Take care,
Penny