The Art Seminar and Thereafter
By: Kaffy


Chapter 5: The Preparation to Say Goodbye

As the next few weeks passed, Richard grew sad, leaving Caroline confused. She thought he was happy with her.

"Richard, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing Caroline." He looked back down at his drawing. She got up form the chair and joined him on the bed.

"It's not nothing, please talk to me…"

He sighed. It was true, he was sad, he'd never been sadder as a matter of fact. "I'm sorry…it's just that, we don't have that much more time together. The seminar ends in a week and a half."

"Oh." She pulled him close, taking the sketchpad from his hand and tossing it to the chair. "Richard, it'll be ok. We'll work though this. A lot of people our age have long-distance relationships."

He pulled back, gazing into her eyes while he gently ran the back of his hand down her cheek. "I'm just really going to miss you."

Tears clouded her vision. "I'm going to miss you too." She leaned forward and brushed her tear-stained face lips against his. "You do want to still…you know, but us, after this, right?"

He looked shocked. "Of course I do, I love you."

She smiled. "Good." She pulled closer, resting her head on his chest.

"You want to continue this too, right?"

She looked into his eyes, smiling gently, "Richard, I've never felt this way about anyone, I love you more than I ever thought possible…of course I want to stay with you"

"I'm going to hate not waking up next to you…"

"And I'm going to miss holding you while I sleep…"

A soft smile crossed his face, "The way you laugh…"

The same soft smile graced her face, "Watching you work…"

"The way you kiss…" he said as he ran his fingers across her lips.

"The way you look into my eyes and read me like a book…" she said as she caught his gaze with hers. The held each other close, consoling each other. "Maybe I can fly to New York for Christmas…"

"And I could go to Wisconsin for Spring Break…"

"We'll work it out."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

*~*~*~*~*'

Before they knew it, the last day of the seminar arrived. It was their last night together, both of them would be leaving the next day.

"Come on, Caroline, I know you want a big, romantic evening…"

"No, I don't. I just want to spend time with you, real time…"

"I know you better than that…"

"No, I just want to spend a nice, quiet evening in your room…please…"

He kissed her knuckles, "Are you sure?"

She smiled up at him. "Positive."

"Ok."

They spent the evening in Richard's bed, quietly talking. Knowing it was their last chance to be intimate for awhile, they made sweet, soft love. Always, their lovemaking remained gentle and extremely sensual, but it was more than that this time. It wasn't just sensual and erotic, although it was both. But, it was also the most intense experience that either of them had ever felt. Afterwards, Richard spooned up behind Caroline, holding her tight and whispering words of love.

Soon though, reality reared its ugly head. "Are you sure you want to stay with me? I mean, Caroline, I love you so much. I want you to be happy, and if you won't be happy tied down to me, then…"

She turned over in his arms and silenced him with a her fingertip, "Richard, stop. I know it's gong to be hard, but I love you too much…I can't bear they thought of not talking to you or not seeing you ever again. Trust me, this is what I want."

"It's going to be hard, not seeing you everyday."

"I know, but it'll be worth it when we do see each other."

He kissed her softly on the lips. "So, when will I see you again?"

"I don't know…I can probably get to New York once before Thanksgiving…and then maybe after Christmas…"

"I guess that isn't too far away."

"I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

They lay in bed for the rest of the night, not really talking, they didn't need to. Soon, they fell asleep, dreaming of the next time they would be able to do it again.

*~*~*~*~*

They awoke the next morning early, both of them needing to pack. Wanting to spend as much time together as possible, they helped each other pack. Caroline was the first to leave.

"Hi Mom, Dad!" She pulled both of her parents into a tight hug. "This is a guy I was telling you about, Richard."

"Well, hello, Richard." Caroline's mom and dad both stuck their hands out.

"Um…hi," he answered awkwardly, "it's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too."

Richard helped them get her stuff from the dorm and load up the car. When everything was ready, her parents gave them a few minutes to say goodbye. Richard pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm really going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too, but it's only going to be a month or two…"

"I know."

"I love you."

"I love you too." He placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"Call me when you get in tomorrow?"

He fought the tears that were coming to his eyes. "Yeah."

She raked her fingers through his hair, fighting tears of her own. "I can't believe I won't see you tomorrow, or the next day…" The tears finally came, rolling silently down her cheeks.

He pulled her close, consoling her. "I know, but like you said…it won't be too long."

"Yeah." She pulled back and looked into his eyes. "I have to go." She reached up and placed her hand on his cheek. "I love you."

Covering her hand with his own, he said, "I love you too."

She pulled back, "Mom? Dad? I'm ready."

Her parents came around the corner. Her dad held his hand to Richard again, which Richard took.

"It was nice to meet you Richard."

"It was nice to meet you too, sir."

"Thank you for taking such good care of my little Pudding."

"No problem, Mr. Duffy," he smiled, "It was my pleasure."

He looked over at Caroline at the same time she looked up at him. "Bye Richard."

"Bye Caroline."

(to be continued)