As Cristian followed her home to make sure she got there all right, he thought about what an amazing person she was. He was surprised at how much strength she had, to have survived such a life, a life that had left scars that still hadn't healed. He didn't think he had ever admired anyone as much as he admired her. She had so much courage and he'd never met anyone like her before, she was stubborn, strong, beautiful and he loved that about her…he loved everything about her. Over these last weeks he had nearly forgotten about Jen because when he was with Natalie it was like nothing else existed, Jen had never made him feel like that. He hoped that Natalie felt the same way about him, he thought that she did, when she looked at him and smiled it was like a whole conversation took place, he had never felt a connection like that with anyone and it scared him a little bit, he'd been truly happy these last few weeks and their friendship meant more to him than any thing else, because above all they were friends.
Finally they got to Llanfair and Cristian got out of his car and walked her to the door.
"Will you stay awhile?" Natalie asked, she ached to reach out and touch him but she didn't, she had never felt this way, or remembered feeling this way, it was like everything was finally clear after so many weeks of being filled with fog and clouds, she felt complete…she was happy, really happy.
"Sure," he said smiling; he didn't want her to be alone.
"Thanks," she said, not wanting to be alone.
They walked up to her room and Natalie plopped down on her bed and Cristian sat beside her.
"What a day," she said with a sigh as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"I think you should talk to someone about what happened to you, Rae Cummings is a friend of mine and a therapist and I think she could help you deal with everything," he said. Cristian knew that she had taken big steps by admitting what had happened to her but he also knew that it was still going to have an effect on her and he wanted to make sure she had help dealing with it.
"I talked to you didn't I?" she snapped, but when she saw the look on his face she regretted her harsh tone. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you, I promise I'll think about it."
"That's all I'm asking," he said reaching over and touching her hand.
Natalie looked at him and smiled, "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'll never have to find out," he said tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, it was then that he realized how close his face was to hers. For a moment they just looked at each other and slowly they moved closer and their lips met.
Cristian hesitantly pulled away but Natalie pulled him closer and kissed him again. Cristian couldn't help himself, he was intoxicated by her. He buried his hands in her masses of red hair and returned the kiss.
Natalie couldn't believe she was really kissing him; it was something she had wanted to do for so long. She lay back, pulling him on top of her. He pulled away breathing heavily, his mouth inches away from hers. "We should stop," he said touching her face.
She leaned up, kissed him again and reluctantly pulled away. "You're right."
Cristian looked down at her and he had never loved her more, her eyes were bright and her cheeks were rosy, and he lips were so beautiful that he wanted nothing more than to kiss them all night long. "You're so beautiful," he whispered looking into her eyes.
"So are you," she said breathlessly and he smiled.
"Natalie?" he loved the way her name felt on his lips, he loved her so much that it was scary and he knew that he could never love anyone the way he loved her.
"Yes?" she asked looking into his eyes, searching for what he was going to say, she found the answer and it scared and thrilled her at the same time.
"I lo—." He was interrupted before he could finish.
"Natalie—oh, excuse me—."
Cristian moved aside and saw Viki standing in the doorway.
"No, it's okay," said Natalie getting up and trying to make herself look presentable. "Is everything all right?"
"I was hoping you could tell me, Roxy called earlier and said you had left her place upset. Are you all right?"
"Everything is fine, Roxy just…well, you know how she is."
"Yes, I do. Hello Cristian," Viki said with a sly smile.
"Hello Mrs. Davidson," he said sheepishly.
"Well, I'm going to go back downstairs and leave you two to whatever it was you were doing," Viki said patting Natalie's arm and leaving.
Natalie shut the door and turned around and looked at Cristian. He smiled at her and she sat back down on the bed a foot away from him.
"Well," she said, unsure of what to say, the magic of the former moment was broken and she desperately wanted it back, to feel his arms around her, his lips on hers.
"Natalie, I think I should go," said Cristian getting up.
Natalie grabbed his hand, "I want you to stay."
Cristian looked into her eyes and felt such a wave of love for her that for a moment he couldn't speak.
"I just don't want to be alone tonight."
"I'll stay," he said knowing that he could deny her nothing.
Natalie turned off the lights and they climbed under the covers and Cristian wrapped his arms around her and she laid her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat. For the first time in her whole life she felt like she was home. Her future seemed bright and without the shadows of the past hanging over her. She knew she had a long way to go before she could even start to overcome her past but she had Cristian and he could help her through anything and she loved him.
"Cristian?" she whispered into the darkness.
"Mmhmm?" he asked sleepily.
"What were you going to say earlier?" she asked in a whisper.
"I was going to tell you that I love you."
Natalie's heart filled with hope and happiness, he really loved her, a part of her had known for awhile but to hear him say it made her feel complete. When her life had been filled with darkness he had been her shining light, he had helped her pick up the broken pieces of her life and put them back together, he had saved her life in so many ways, more than he would ever know.
"I love you too," she whispered. His love had been her salvation and as she fell asleep, safe in his arms, listening to the steady beat of his heart she knew that she was home.

The End