Chapter 12

Sean

I shook the old man, rage coursing through my body.

"What have you DONE to her!" I screamed at him. He shook his head at me muttering, then he laughed at me.

"My boy, you have it bad, I hope your heart does not get broken, for you are so young, it may tear you apart." The old man just stood in front of me while I raged on, my blood burning.

"TELL. ME. WHAT. YOU. HAVE. DONE!" It seemed to take forever for him to answer me, I felt like I was ready to break down, but I couldn't. I had to make sure Puck was alright first.

"Don't worry son, she's safe and sound at home. The lovely lady can tell you all about her day when you see her. Now, I must be off. Have a good night, my boy." I watched in shock as the old man strolled away, back towards town. Had he been telling the truth. Was Puck at home. I sprinted towards home, determined to let nothing else distract me from reaching Puck.

I sprinted, and sprinted not slowing, for the adrenaline was pumping through my system like fire. Everything flashed past me in a blur. I did not see where I was going. I ran home, following the way from memory. I did not stop. Not once, until I reached home. I staggered onto the porch and saw Puck sitting there, drinking some hot chocolate.

"Puck" I whispered when I saw her. My throat was hoarse from all of the yelling I had done. I moved silently over to her and knelt before her. I laid my head in her lap and breathed a sigh of relief. She was okay. I started when Puck started stroking my hair, as if I were a child.

"Hey," Puck whispered, "It's okay Sean. I'm here, shh." I stopped shaking at her reassuring words and relaxed.

Puck

Sean practically collapsed in front of me. I wondered what had had him so worked up. I didn't ask him though, I could feel the tremors within him, and i felt them slow as I held him close. Something had happened. I pressed my forehead to his, waiting until his heart rate was normal before speaking.

"Sean," I sighed, "come on, let's get you to bed. I'll being you some hot chocolate. It's okay. You're okay, I'm ok. Everything's fine." I stood and helped him up, then took him to bed.

When I walked back into our room Sean was sitting up and looking normal again. I gave him his chocolate and slid into bed beside him.

"So, are you going to tell me what had you so worked up?" I asked. Sean looked up at me, a bit sheepishly.

"Well, when I was having lunch I saw you walk past the school," he paused to smile up at me a little shyly, "you looked beautiful." At his words I blushed. I still wasn't used to compliments like that one. "I was sitting with Grant, a new worker, and he asked about you. When I was leaving I heard him talking to someone else about a woman who was beautiful, but had apparently punched him after he asked her to dinner. I got worried a came back home straight away, but then I saw a man coming from the cottage and thought he has done something to you. I was distraught, and not thinking clearly. Anyway, after I 'talked' with him, I raced back home, to you, to make sure you were ok. I love you." Sean put his cup down and leaned over to hug me.

"I love you too, Sean. I love you, now and forever."

I bustled around in the kitchen, making dinner when I heard Sean yell,

"I'm just going to check on the Corr, Dove and Nijinsky, okay."

I hope Sean wouldn't be too long, the sun was going down and dinner was almost ready. All I wanted to do after the excitement of today was to lay in bed, in Sean's arms. I always felt so much calmer, and peaceful with Sean. with my thoughts elsewhere, I didn't notice the slight burn on the tip of my finger until Sean came bursting in from the cold and noticed it himself.

"Puck!" he exclaimed, "Puck, what did you do!" Sean grabbed me by the shoulders and pulled me away from the stovetop. He steered me towards a chair, proceeded to sit me down, and fetch the first aid kit. Now that I ha shaken out of my reverie, the pain started.

After Sean had cared after my burned finger, we had dinner. Sean seemed so exhausted though, that I did not ask about his day. He obviously just wanted to go to bed. Once we had finished dinner we washed up and went to bed, talking only the slightest bit. I loved him so much.

Sean

I stated down at Puck as she slept. It was her words that has fully convinced me, 'I love you, now and forever.' I smiled, a little giddily, I was finally going to do it. I had been unsure for so long now. Unsure whether Puck had the same intense feelings as I had. I knew she loved me wholly, but I wasn't sure how entirely she was ready to give herself to me. Whether she was ready to give up her life for me. Now, I was sure.

"I love you, so so much, Kate Connolly." My voice was barely above a whisper, but still, that didn't matter. It didn't matter that Puck hadn't heard my words. It only mattered that I had said them. I kissed Pucks forehead, and she murmured, but did not wake. I tried to settle and go to sleep, but I couldn't, my mind was working in over drive. Making plans, discarding them for better ones. Trying to make it all perfect in my mind... My thoughts trailed off as I finally submitted to sleep.

Sorry for the delay guys, I'm a slow writer and I've been pretty sick lately. I hope you are enjoying the story so far :).