Eric followed Stephanie and after twenty minutes he realized Stephanie was more focused on a couple then the actual display.
"Alright, what is going on" Eric asked?
"That is the woman from the lobby that you were talking to" Stephanie said reminding him in case he forgot or was more drunk than she had realized and had completely forgotten her.
"Okay…" He replied confused.
"I think that is her husband" She said as she moved to get a better look at the couple whose argument got heated.
"Then we should let them have their privacy" He said shaking his head as the old Stephanie seemed to be surfacing. He did not like it one bit.
"They are arguing Eric. We should stay close by" She said concerned.
"Honey, they have nothing to do with us. Let us go, all right" He tried to convince her as he took her hand and began to pull her towards the door to leave.
Stephanie followed him reluctantly. She noticed the guy storm off and the woman crying as she sat. She felt sorry for her, but she did as Eric asked.
An hour later…
"That was really interesting" Eric replied clearly fascinated.
"Yes, it was. I got plenty of pictures too" Stephanie smiled.
They began to walk back towards the bus when they saw the young woman sitting alone.
"We should check on her" She suggested.
"Honey…" He groaned.
"I won't interfere I promise. I just want to be sure she is okay" She tried to convince him and of course it worked, her sweet and caring side always made him into mush.
"Okay" He agreed as they walked over to her.
"Hi, remember us" Stephanie spoke first.
"Oh…hi…" The woman forced a smile.
"We're heading back to the bus. Do you want to walk back with us" Stephanie offered?
Eric sighed.
Stephanie hit him with her hand.
The young woman smiled at their antics, "I'm waiting for my husband but thank you."
"Alright we'll see you back on the bus then" Stephanie replied as they walked away.
"I thought you were not going to interfere" Eric reminded her.
"She seems so sad. I just wanted to offer her some company in case her husband was back at the bus already" She said sincerely.
"I would think he would not leave her there alone" He replied as he thought, no matter how angry he may be that would be dangerous.
"Well, some men don't care" She said as they continued to walk.
"I would never leave you alone anywhere" He replied honestly as they held hands.
"When did you become so needy" She teased.
He smiled widely and replied cheekily, "when my wife tried to run off without me."
She laughed and swatted his arm teasingly.
"I'll have to hire a private investigator to make sure there isn't some handsome doctor at this clinic waiting for you to arrive alone" He teased.
"You are so silly" She chuckled amused.
Back at the bus Stephanie heard Eric mumble under his breath, "unbelievable."
"What is it" She asked concerned?
"He's here" He replied disgusted by the man actions.
"We have to go back and get her" She said concerned the woman would stay there waiting.
"You stay here. I will go" He suggested since he did not want her to get tired out when they still had two other destinations.
"Alright" She agreed.
Eric walked off in the direction they had just come from.
Stephanie looked over at the man and unfortunately became witness to him flirting with a young woman.
Eric found the woman exactly where they had left her.
She was glancing at her watch observing the time.
"Hi" Eric interrupted her.
"Oh. Hi…what are you doing here alone" She teased him with a smile?
"My wife is at the bus. I came back because your husband is there also" He replied honestly.
Her face fell and he felt bad for her.
Tears trickled down her cheeks.
"I'll walk with you" He offered not wanting to leave her alone when she was upset.
"I'm so embarrassed" She whispered as she wiped at her eyes.
"Don't be. He should be embarrassed" Eric let slip out.
She looked at him sadly as she got up and they walked back to the bus together.
2nd destination….
"He was flirting with some girl" Stephanie shared as she walked with Eric.
"I'm not surprised" He replied as he reached out and took her hand in his.
"I feel bad for her. Do you think she knows" She asked?
"I'm sure she does" He said as they stopped walking and he pulled her into his arms.
"Eric…" She asked wondering what he was doing.
"I'm sorry Stephanie" He whispered as he looked deeply into her eyes.
"For what" She asked confused?
"For all the times I made you feel the way that poor young woman is feeling" He said as he let his hands slip around her waist.
"Oh Eric…that is the past" She said not wanting to discuss it.
"Yes but, seeing that woman in tears…he shook his head…I want to punch him. Someone should have punched me back then" He admitted.
Stephanie laughed making him smile.
"You are my knight in shining armor now" She smiled teasingly.
"I love you" He whispered as he leaned in to kiss her.
"I love you" She whispered but pulled back slightly.
He leaned in further kissing her before she could pull back.
"Eric…" She whispered embarrassed her cheeks blushing.
"We're on honeymoon honey" He reassured her.
She looked into his eyes smiling.
"Shall we continue Mrs. Eric Forrester" He teased.
"We shall" She went along with his silliness as they began to walk again.
They walked along the path taking in the different displays, Stephanie taking pictures while Eric looked at the map.
Along the way they saw the young woman again, alone.
This time Eric led Stephanie to her and asked, "would you like to join us? We are going to get a bite to eat."
Stephanie looked at Eric, her eyes full of love.
The young woman feeling as if it would be okay with them both agreed.
They walked to the food court. They sat while Eric went up to get their food.
"I'm sorry I never got your name" The young woman said sheepishly.
"Stephanie" She introduced herself.
"Angela" The woman replied.
"Oh…" Stephanie gasped slightly, her chest tightening suddenly.
"Your husband had the same reaction that night we met. Do you know someone named Angela" She asked curiously?
"Our daughter" Stephanie admitted.
"Oh wow…what a coincidence" Angela smiled.
"Here we go" Eric said as he put the food down.
Stephanie looked at him and he knew. He took her hand in his under the table squeezing tightly.
The three of them ate and chatted, the women laughing at Eric as he imitated one of the fish they saw in the aquarium. Suddenly the laughter ended, and Angela smile faded. Eric turned and noticed what she was looking at. Her husband chatting with the young girl he was flirting with at the previous destination.
