Okay: here's the deal—First of all, Romano is thinking in retrospect after this story has taken place. The whole story. Meaning when this story comes to an absolute end. Which will in about another two chapters (including this one). Second of all, everyone is bent on the fact that Romano would have told this woman, because 'that's the type of man he is.' Now, normally, I would have to agree. But, when I was thinking about Romano's character, it came to my attention that he was in love with Elizabeth for… how long? And how many times did he come right out and tell her? How many times when she was going on one of her dates with any of the men she was seeing, did he tell her? Never. He told her he was attracted to her, and that's about it—with the exception of pining away in silence. That is the Romano I am writing about.

Anyway, everyone is entitled to their opinion, I can write the 'normal' Romano, but have chosen not to based on what is to happen in this story. Thank you for your opinions though! : ) They are recognized and well-received!

Natalie

Heartbreak: My Story (Chapter 4)

The turn of events had confused me so, that I spent the next several months trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do, what I was supposed to do. In my heart of hearts, I knew I had to tell her—I couldn't go on much longer keeping it locked inside.

But the same fear that had stopped me two years ago from telling her as I watched her at the altar presented itself, and for some reason, seemed to magnify.

What would she say? What would she think? On some level, I didn't want to know. Because I couldn't shake the feeling that she would say nothing, think nothing. And I don't know that I could handle that.

It had been nearly a year since she had come to me, teary-eyed, from the events that had taken place, and I knew, as she was a strong woman, she had healed completely. That, and because she told me.

She was no longer vulnerable—she only had been for the first month or so. And I knew that it was time—it had to be now. Soon—or I would never tell her, and go on suffering in silence, the way I always have.

So I sat in my house, and drank some bourbon, and tried to plan out what I was going to say in my head:

'I love you.' Entirely too strong, especially without any explanation beforehand.

'I want you.' That's not the half of it.

'I need you.' True, but too cliché.

I tried all different kinds of confessions, but I couldn't find one that fit. I didn't think that I would, besides, whatever I planned out to say, whatever I came up with would go right out the window the moment I started talking to her.

So I decided to get some rest, because, I'd decided, tomorrow was the big day. I was going to tell her come hell or high-water. I'd waited long enough—and I was going to have to deal with my emotions—and hers—sooner or later. It was late enough, so I chose sooner.

I woke up early, showered, ate a light breakfast, the way I normally do—I was determined not to completely stress over this. Not completely. Then, I went to work.

I waited. And I waited, all day long I waited. Until I finally saw the chance to talk to her alone.

I walked into the room where she sat, reading, took a deep breath and cleared my throat. She looked up at me, and smiled. I smiled back.

I said hello, and she replied—we exchanged pleasantries.

Then I told her that I needed to tell her something. Her face took on a concerned look, and she asked me what it was.

I walked over to where she was sitting and joined her. I tried to say it, but it didn't come out. I closed my eyes momentarily and decided that I was going to do this, and I was going to 'be a man' about it.

I looked her in the eyes, and I told her everything. God help me, I told her everything. I told her how I'd loved her since she was married to Jim—how I thought about her everyday… every single thing. I thought briefly, that this might scare her away, but I quickly remembered that she needed to know—she deserved to know everything.

When I was finished, she sat in silence for a moment, and I could see the beginning of tears forming in her eyes. I didn't know what type of tears—but they were there.

'You mean, since Jim and I—you've…" she questioned.

I assured her.

'And you never…' she wasn't speaking in complete sentences.

I said no.

'So you still…'

I nodded.

'Why didn't you…'

'Because the timing never seemed right.'

'And it's right now?' she finally got an entire sentence out.

'That depends.'

'On…?'

'Your response.'

She inhaled deeply, the same tears in her eyes as they were before. She took a moment to think, and I knew she wouldn't have an answer for me now. That was entirely understandable.

'I…I need time to think about this.'

'Of course.' I smiled lightly and left the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

I finished the day out, knowing that I had done what I needed to do, but still feeling apprehensive about the entire situation.

I went home, made dinner, sat in my chair and thought. I thought about the three years that I'd known her and the two in a half I'd been in love with her—and it hit me then, that those three years had just culminated in an entire moment.

I thought about Jim. What an idiot he was to have done something as stupid as he did—I thought about her with Jim. How happy she'd looked on their wedding day.

I wanted to make her that happy.

I thought and thought and thought. I was so pensive, in fact, that I almost didn't hear the timid knock at the door.

I opened the door to see her standing there, tears in eyes, though I was certain they weren't the same ones she'd originally possessed.

I opened the door and she came in. I started to speak, but she intervened.

'Look, Robert, I've been thinking so much these past hours, I thought about everything, the first time we met, my wedding, that night I came over here after Jim did what he did…' She paused. 'I didn't know what I felt—or at least I didn't know that I knew what I felt. But after thinking, after reflecting long and hard, I've come to the realization that…'

Shit, here it came.

'That…I…love you, too. And I don't know how or when it happened, but somehow, when I wasn't paying attention, it did. And I'm sorry for making you wait like this, and I'm sorry for every ounce of pain that I caused you…but you just need to know that I didn't know…and, I'm sorry.'

I was completely silent; this isn't what I'd expected. And suddenly a grin broke out on my face, and I walked over to her, took her head in my hands and kissed her.

Our first kiss was wonderfully beautiful, sensual, sweet, and romantic. I had waited so long for this day, and in a way, I never thought that it would arrive. But it had, and I was incredibly happy.

We dated for about six months, when I came to the realization that dating was no longer enough—I wanted to have her for the rest of my life.

I proposed on an evening at the beginning of March—and she accepted the proposal with glee. She smiled at me as I put the ring on her finger, and we walked hand in hand down the streets.

I had never, ever, been so happy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

TBC

One more chapter left. Review if you want to rant about how he's out of character… or something else—or if, by some chance, you like it… : )

Thanks!

Natalie