Chapter 5. Realization.

She could barely look at him. He stood there in the doorway, t-shirt and sweatpants soaked, short silver hair curling in its dampness, his blue eyes staring straight at her. The sight brought a lump to her throat and a pain to her chest, making her realise just how much she loved him.

Keeping her head down, she grabbed a towel from the back of a chair.

"Here, you're wet. You shouldn't have stayed out in the rain. You'll catch a chill."

She walked to him, holding out the towel. As he reached to take it, she stepped forward into his arms, resting her forehead on the damp cloth of his t-shirt, tears streaming down her pale face.

"I'm sorry Ty. I've acted like an idiot today."

He stood there, wet and cold, holding her as she leaned into his chest, crying.

"It's okay. I'm sorry too. I know I hurt you." He gently stroked her back, revelling in the feel of her in his arms. "I'm so sorry."

She sniffed, looking up into his face. "You are?"

He nodded, smiling at her.

"There's nothing like a nice long run in the rain to help you sort out your head. I should have told Coop I'd speak to him later. I'm sorry." He bent his head to kiss her, feeling her release a long breath. "I love you Dylan, and once I've had a hot shower and got some dry clothes, I'll show you how much."

Dylan stepped back.

"Well, you are rather wet." she said with a smile. "Don't take long - dinner will be ready as soon as I cook these veggies."

Giving her one final hug, he headed off to take a hot shower, thinking about what he had overheard. Despite her obvious anger at him, she had defended him against her own mother. Knowing this gave him a warm glow inside. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~