Chapter 20:

"I'm so sorry, Chad," Whitney whispered, tears forming in her eyes.

"For what?" he asked, surprised by her words.

"For everything. For you being here in this cemetery. For the loss of your parents. For...."

"Don't be," he interrupted. "Sure it hurts, but it happens. I played the hand I was dealt." He paused as he looked around. "Come on, let's get out of here."

Whitney gave a small smile. "Did you do the anniversary mourning with your family?"

Chad nodded. "Yeah... now let's get out of here!" After one look back at his parents' graves, and a kiss blown at them, Chad was out of there, with Whitney squeezing his hand the whole time in comfort.

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After much talk, Chad convinced Whitney to go back to Harmony with him. She knew she eventually had to deal with her parents, but she didn't want to. The point was that she was scared. This was the first time she had actually done something to spite them, and on purpose. She was afraid of how they would react when she returned.

Chad returned the rent a car back to the company, and they both hopped into Whitney's car for the ride back to Harmony.

"Don't be scared, Whit," Chad reassured her as he was driving back. "It'll all work out." He winked encouragingly at her.

She sighed deeply. "I hope you're right, Chad," she said. "But I can't help but be worried. What if -"

"No what ifs!" Chad interrupted her. He hated thinking about what ifs. He took her hand and kissed it gently. "Nothing to worry about. I love you and you love me. We'll get through this."

Whitney leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. She hoped more than anything that what Chad was saying would come true. That they would get through this easily enough.

"Let's listen to some music," Chad suggested, wanting to change the mood between him and Whitney. He popped a CD into the CD player.

The smooth drawl of a female's sexy, heart-wrenching voice came up a few seconds later.

"Hey..... that's me!" Whitney stated happily.

"Yup," Chad replied. "All those months that I didn't get to see you, I played this CD every single day. It made me feel closer to you."

Whitney smiled, feeling flattered. She squeezed his right hand.

He continued to drive for a few more seconds before Whitney spoke up.

"Pull over," she beckoned quickly.

"What?" Chad asked, completely taken aback. He had a look of surprise and worry on his face.

"Just pull over," Whitney ordered again.

He pulled off to the right corner of the freeway, parking the car. He turned to face Whitney, to ask her what in God's name was so wrong that he had to pull over so fast, but before he could speak, her lips were on his.

She kissed him hard on the lips, her fingers playing with the back of his head, stroking his hair.

He was surprised by the kiss. He kissed her back, liking the way her lips felt on his. They kissed for a little bit longer, before they pulled away for air.

Chad was breathing heavily. "Dammit, Whitney," he spoke, hitting her arm lightly, "next time you decide to playfully surprise me like that, make sure you don't give me a heart attack first."

Whitney laughed wholeheartedly. It usually wasn't like her to be so spontaneous or to pull little romantic things like that on a whim, but she knew Chad would like it. And it was kind of fun, scaring and pleasing him at the same time.

"Come here, beautiful," he said.

She brought her face closer to his for another kiss.

"At this rate we are never going to get to Harmony," Chad joked.

"Good," Whitney murmured.

"Don't say that, Whit," Chad replied. He brought his fingers over to her hair, smoothing her wild curls down with his hand. "Everything will be ok. I promise. I better continue driving." He sat straight up in his seat, and put the car on drive.

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They reached Harmony about a half hour later. Chad pulled up in front of the Russell's house.

He got out of the car and rushed over to Whitney's side, helping her up, the way a true gentleman would.

"This is it," Whitney mumbled, as she grabbed Chad's hand. Never had she been more nervous to go home. She had so many butterflies in her stomache, some of which died when she looked into Chad's reassuring face.

They walked up the driveway to her house.

Whitney leaned over and knocked on the door. She was almost shaking, but trying her best to compose herself for the confrontation that she knew was to come.

Chad and Whitney heard the door unlock. The door slowly began to open ......

{a/n: an overdue update i know. im sorry. this story is almost over. 3 more chapters left. keep reading.}