A Place In the Sun
35
"What do you mean, 'is this real?', Kelsey?" Bobby asked her.
"I guess I've just been hurt too many times in my life," she said, standing up and circling to the back of the couch. "Granted, most of it was my own fault. But this is just really, really hard for me to believe. I mean, I thought we were just friends, and I was extremely grateful for that. If someone would have pulled all the things I did on you to me, I don't think I could ever forgive them. But somehow you did. Bobby, I took our son away from two parents who love him so much and I used Sam to get you to marry me. You married me even though you didn't love me. I just feel sick when I think back on all the things I did."
"Kelsey, you're a much different person now. Don't be so hard on yourself."
"I just don't know what to think. Everything happened so fast that night at the hospital. I was apologizing to you for telling you about Maria and messing things up with you and Anita and then all of a sudden you were kissing me. What you said, were you serious?" she asked as she sat back down.
"First off, you didn't mess things up with Anita; we did that all on our own. And second, of course I'm serious," he said, brushing her hair out of her face. "I didn't plan for this to happen, it just did."
"So tell me," she said quietly. "What is 'this'?"
"Honestly," he paused. "I'm not sure. I know that in that moment, I had to be close to you. And I know that the feelings I have for you are much stronger than I could have ever imagined. I've been trying to, you know, not follow what I'm feeling, because, just like everything you said. I should know better than to want to get involved with you. No offense, of course."
"None taken," she smiled.
"But it just happened. I found myself wanting to be with you."
Kelsey closed her eyes to hold back tears and stood up, facing away from Bobby.
"Kelsey?" he stood up, also.
"Bobby, I'm sorry. Really, I am. Seven, eight years ago if you would have said any of that to me, I would have been doing flips I'd have been so happy. But after you left with Anita and then I went away to school, I came to terms with the fact that you'd never feel for me the same way I felt for you. If what I felt for you then was even anything, thinking back on how stupid I was. Bobby, I wanted you so much, and the only reason you had anything to do with me was because of Sam. And, what? Now out of the blue, at least to me, you want to give me a chance?"
"Yeah, I mean, is that so hard to believe?"
"Yeah... You know what? I need, I need to just go, okay?" she said, going out to the hallway. "I know this sounds really bad, but it's not you, Bobby, it's me, and I don't know if I can go down this road again."
"Kels, don't go," he said, following her.
"I have to," she said, putting on her coat and opening the door.
"Are you sure you should drive in this weather?" he asked.
"It's not far, I'll be okay," she told him, running to her car.
……….
"So where are we going?" Julia asked Tyler as he drove.
"Can't stand the suspense, huh?" he asked.
"Not really," she said. "C'mon, tell me!"
"Every one of my surprises seems to get ruined, so no, you'll just have to wait."
"Hey, I didn't ruin it when you proposed to me; you were the one who was too impatient."
"You should have seen the view where I was going to ask you. We'll have to go up there someday."
"The bank of the river was fine with me. Anywhere you are is fine with me," she smiled. "So, where are we going?"
"Ok, I've got us a room at a nice-but not too expensive- hotel in the city. No one is expecting us in Pine Valley for a few days, and no one knows where we are, so we'll have some good alone time before the holidays," he said.
Julia laughed, "I definitely think I'll need all the energy I can get to make it through this. I mean, not that I don't love my family, but I'm sure that my mother is going to make all this a big, big family deal with all of us back at home, and of course because of Maria."
"Exactly, so we'll have a few quiet days, order room service, and just relax."
"Sounds good to me," she smiled.
"We're almost there," he said, looking at the street signs.
……….
"I was so scared the night that Ray hurt you," Ryan told her as he stroked her hair. "I know I didn't tell you that, but I was. As soon as I heard Jake and Kelsey talking, I couldn't find Kata quick enough. Just the thought that Ray could have hurt her…"
"I'm so sorry," Gillian said as they embraced.
"Just promise me-"
"What?"
"No more secrets, okay?"
"Of course, of course."
"From now on, we're going to do things right," he said, standing up to get something from the bedroom.
"Wait, sit down," she said, pulling him back to the couch. "No more secrets, right?"
"Right."
"I, I have something to tell you."
"What?"
"I should have already told you, I know, but I wasn't sure, I wanted to make sure everything was alright first."
"Gillian, what is it?" he asked, his mind racing.
"Ryan, I'm-we are going to have a baby," she nearly whispered.