Chapter Ten

One year later…..

It had worked. The bone marrow transplant had been successful … so far. Cal knew that he would have to go in for regular check ups and that until he had been cancer-free for seven years, he couldn't be considered cured. But each day that he wasn't ill was a victory and brought the ultimate goal closer, even if it was in small increments.

Woody had ended up staying in New York with him for three months, to make sure he could function on his own. That he was taken care of. That he was able to return to work. Jordan had left to go back to Boston shortly after her two-week vacation was over.

He had missed her like hell. He loved taking care of his brother…the time together did allow them to bond in a new way…instead of being so highly competitive, they learned to support each other. Past mistakes were forgiven…as so often happens when your own mortality slaps you in the face.

But God, he did miss her. Everything about her. Her scent. The feel of her in his arms. Her smile. Her hand in his. They talked several times a day, but that was a poor substitute. It didn't keep him company at night and his cell phone couldn't kiss him good-bye.

So as soon as the doctors said that Cal was able to stay by himself, Woody hopped a plane back to Boston. He landed at Logan and took a cab back to the morgue…back to her. He never wanted to leave her alone in the city again. Six months later, they both flew back to New York to check on Cal. That summer Cal had come out to Boston, his health still holding steady, but none of them ready to breathe a sigh of relief yet. He had stayed with Woody.

"Figured you'd be living with that Jordan-chick," Cal had teased Woody.

"Nah. Not yet. We're giving it some time."

"Always the boy scout. If I were you, I'd already be looking for a way to move in with her."

"I did that…and moved back out."

Cal was truly puzzled. "Then, wait…you two are still together…"

Woody nodded. "This time I want it to be real, Cal. Lasting. Not convenient. Not casual…"

"You scare me, bro. You're talking like a man in love."

Woody felt his cheeks redden slightly and he looked away from Cal.

"Oh, my God. You are. You're in love with Jordan Cavanaugh."

"Yeah," Woody quietly replied. "Yeah, I am."

"She love you?"

Woody nodded. She did. She had told him shortly after he returned from New York. It had slipped out, but she had said it. Committed to the L-word. They had gone dancing one night after he had gotten back. While gently swaying to a slow song, she had pulled him closer. "Hey, let me breathe," he had joked.

"I missed you…that's all."

"I missed you, too, but I'm not squeezing the life out of you," he continued to joke, until he saw the look in her eyes. She did miss him. A lot. "Jordan? It's okay."

"Never leave me that long again…."

"I won't. I promise. I thought you'd miss me, but not this much, sweetheart."

"I love you, Woody. That's why I missed you so much."

And here he thought he'd be first one to admit his emotions….first telling Jordan that he loved her and then waiting for a mumbled "I love you, too," from her. How wrong could he have been? She had said it first. She had said it loud and clear. He had been the one that had to do follow up.

But he had…effectively, if he did say so himself. Coming over the next night to her house with red roses and a good bottle of wine…surprising her. Learning aspects about her that he needed to know…like the spot just below her right ear that when he kissed it, it made her catch her breathe and then go nearly limp in his arms….or like she really was just a little ticklish on her sides, right below where her underwear rested. And if she was really tense, a back rub not only relaxed her, it set the mood.

Important stuff he knew he needed to catalogue away in his mind, if he was to be the kind of man she desired…the kind she wanted for a husband.

However, now it was a year later…a year after he initially moved in with her. It seemed so long ago…and yet right now, he was in the same predicament he had been in twelve months earlier. His building wasn't going co-op, but his lease was up. He had no desire to renew it. Woody knew his own mind, and thought he knew hers. They had supported each other through some difficult times…and discovered that they loved each other. Those two things, coupled with the fact that over the last couple of months either she had ended up at his apartment or he at her house, sealed his decision. Throwing some clothes in a suitcase and grabbing his houseplant, he drove over to her house and rang the doorbell. It took a minute, but she soon opened the door.

"Woody?"

"Hi…I was wondering if you would like a roommate again. A non-platonic one this time?"