Yearning

Suzie stood at the window of the nursery, her heart yearning to cuddle her son. All she wanted was to take little Jonah home. Cagney stood next to her. His heart too was bursting. He couldn't take his gaze off Suzie. She was staring longingly at her baby boy. Suzie was all he'd ever wanted.

"Suzie?" Cagney said softly.

Suzie's gaze left the baby. She turned to speak to Cagney, but they were suddenly interrupted. Baby Jonah's doctor approached.

"I have wonderful news," stated Dr. McHenry. "Jonah's doing amazingly well. In another week or two, he should be ready to go home."

"Really?!" Suzie gasped. "Ohhh, doctor! I just can't believe it. I get to take my baby boy home!"

Suzie was crying out in joy as she hugged Cagney enthusiastically. The grey-haired doctor expressed his congratulations, but the two young people were embracing with so much happiness and relief that he was certain that they had not heard him. He smiled and walked away as Suzie remained in Cagney's arms where she lingered. All Cagney could think about was, *This feels so damn good* as he held Suzie close.

After a few moments of bliss, Suzie broke away. "What would I ever do without you, Cagney?" she asked as she looked into his eyes.

"Hopefully you'll never know," he replied.

For several seconds, they held each other's gaze, then they kissed. It was a tender moment. As the kiss ended, Suzie was breathless. She realized that maybe, despite everything that had happened, she could be happy after all. Her son was doing better and she would always have Cagney. He was so good to her. She realized a wonderful man had been at her side her all along.

"Cagney," she said. "I love you."

"I know," he said, his eyes aglow with so much love and adoration.

"No, I mean I really love you."

Cagney's heart skipped a beat as her words settled into his heart. "I love you, too."

And there, in the crowded hospital corridor, he pulled Suzie close and kissed her; this time with so much passion.

He knew that all he had been longing for was just beginning...

~*~o~*~

Meanwhile, Wendy was yearning, too... for Suzie's friendship. Despite being reunited with Warren and having little Warren in their lives, something vital was missing. She lamented the loss of her best friend.

"Wendy, what is it?" Warren asked as they lay in bed together in the sweet afterglow of passion.

Her dark head lay upon Warren's naked chest. She could hear his wild heartbeat thundering so loudly in her ear. Surrounded by such beauty, she knew she shouldn't be overcome with pangs of sadness.

"I love you... I truly do, but sometimes... it hurts," Wendy whispered.

He knew her so well; her moods and the shadows that had settled on her beautiful face. He could read her thoughts and her moods as no one else could. In their hearts, Warren and Wendy were one and the same. When she hurt, he hurt, too. He wanted to take away her sadness.

"What can I do?" he asked as he lifted her chin, raising her lips. Gently, he sipped upon her skin.

"Just love me. It's the only thing on earth that makes it better."

"I will always love you," he said.

He maneuvered their bodies upon their king-sized bed. He was staring down at her with dark, passion-filled eyes. As she stared into those depths, Wendy had a glimpse into Warren's soul. Everything would be alright; in the end. She knew it would be alright, because she had Warren. Now that they were back together, Wendy had all she had ever wanted.

Her sorrow dissolved in a heartbeat. Their passion renewed. As their lips met in a hungry kiss, their souls collided. All thoughts of Suzie and their pain-filled past instantly disappeared. Warren was exactly what Wendy needed to heal her painful scars.