Chapter 2– No Ties between Us
"We are not married," she says slowly and softly. "We never even exchanged promises of fidelity."
With this last statement she takes her other hand and turns John's face gently towards her own.
And even though he can see that she is sad and that he has hurt her, she looks into his eyes and says, "So, truthfully, we have no ties between us that could be broken or violated."
She pauses for a second and strokes his jaw. "It's okay", she says softly, "It's okay." Then she leans towards him and presses her forehead to his.
He doesn't' say anything. What is there to say that has not already been said?
Instead, he places his hand firmly on the back of her head, and slides it beneath her wet hair so that he can lightly caress her slender neck.
The only sound that either of them needs to hear is that of the tears caused by their mutual regret. Tears that apologize for all that has occurred between them. For her pushing him away and leaving, for his romantic interlude with another woman…for a child that neither of them will be able to love the way that they had intended.
Suddenly, he pulls her into his arms and presses her firmly against his chest as he leans back in the tub. There they remain for several minutes, simply content to hold each other in a firm embrace.
After some time, he presses his lips to her forehead. "I love you", he says in a soft, breathy murmur. He tilts her chin upwards so that he can see her eyes and he finds that not only do they return the love that he feels in his heart, but they are starting to glow with desire.
He gives her one of his little boy whimsical grins. Then he kisses her gently, yet passionately before drawing back.
He pulls them both to a standing position, climbs out of the tub, and then lifts her gracefully into his arms so that he can carry her to the bed.
This time their lovemaking is not about satiating some long unfilled lust, rather it is a physical consummation of a feeling and lifelong vow between them.