Chapter 15

As Cole drove home he was quiet, and he stared down the road. Phoebe just watched out of the window, the girls fell asleep on the drive home.

"Cole…don't shut me out" Phoebe finally said.

Cole looked at her with a pained expression. He didn't know what to think. Now that he and Phoebe had come so close happiness, it was all falling apart. He though he could handle what ever happened, but now, he didn't know if he could loose her again.

"Phoebe…I have been selfish" Cole finally confessed.

"What do you mean?" Phoebe asked softly touching his neck and shoulder.

Cole sighed, "I haven't been much help to you"

"What do you mean…? You have been more than that to me Cole" Phoebe said sliding next to him in the Jeep.

"I didn't want you to remember your past Phoebe…I wanted you to start a new life with…me" Cole said

"Cole…I want that too, but first I have to know what my life was like before…so I can move on" She said

"No! You don't understand Phoebe…It could change everything!" Cole snapped.

"Cole! This is not fair…You can't take my past away from me!"

"I told you it was selfish…I don't care Phoebe, I don't want to loose you again!" Cole slipped, raising his voice again.

Phoebe looked at him, "What do you mean again?"

Cole sighed. He didn't know what to say.

"I have to know Cole…what are you hiding from me?" Phoebe demanded.

"Why are you mad at Daddy?" Anna asked

Phoebe and Cole looked back, and didn't realize the had woke Anna up.

"It's nothing Anna…We're almost home" Cole said in a soothing voice.

Phoebe glared out of the window. She was so frustrated, she wanted to burst into tears. She didn't want Cole to feel sorry for her, so she swallowed them away, and tried to stay calm.

"We will talk more when we get home Phoebe…I promise" Cole said putting his hand on her leg.

Phoebe pushed his hand away and never gave him a second look. Cole put his hand back on the wheel. Cole clenched his teeth as he continued to stare down the road.

When Cole and Phoebe pulled up to the house Phoebe jumped out of the Jeep and walked around to carry Anna inside. Cole reached for Kate and neither of them said a word to each other.

Phoebe laid Anna down in her bed, and shortly Cole came in the bedroom with Kate. Phoebe pulled the covers over Anna in silence, and Cole laid Kate in her bed as well.

Then Phoebe stormed out of the room, and Cole watched her while he covered Kate. Cole stood up and put his hands on his hips with a heavy sigh. Then he walked out of the room and closed the girl's door.

Cole walked through the quiet house looking for Phoebe. She was nowhere to be found. Then he looked out the large window facing the ocean and saw Phoebe running down the beach.

Cole ran out of the house, and down the stairs to the beach after her.

"Phoebe" Cole yelled, as his bare feet hit the sand in full stride.

Phoebe ran as the tears streamed down her face. She could hear Cole yelling for her, but she didn't care. She just had to run, and release her feelings that she had kept bottled up inside for so long.

She ran so hard, she felt like her chest would explode, and the wind and sand stung her wet face. Phoebe wiped her cheeks with her sleeve, and the sand rubbed and scratched her skin.

Soon Phoebe's legs gave out and she tumbled to her hands and knees. She laid down in the heavy sand and she could hear Cole feet in the sand gaining on her.

Cole finally ran up to her and fell to his knees behind her. He scooped her into his arms and held her tight, rocking back and forth.

"Phoebe…I'm sorry" Cole whispered, while holding her.

Phoebe sobbed harder, and nestled her face up under his neck, against his shoulder.

The sun was setting and casting a pink and orange glow to the sky. The wind blew through their hair and carried a salty cold damp feel to the air.

Cole took Phoebe's red wet face in his cold hands and stared into her teary eyes.

"I am in love with you Cole and…the thought of losing you scares me too…I don't know what my past is hiding." Phoebe sobbed.

"I will stand by you no matter what happens." Cole said, then he softly kissed her forehead, then her eyes and cheeks.

"I'm scared Cole" Phoebe whispered, closing her eyes and embracing his warm kisses.

"We are together now" Cole consoled her.

Cole parted her lips with his, and his warm mouth on hers gave her chilling pleasure, as did every time he kissed her. He deepened his kiss and their passion came rushing back , and flooded their bodies.

Cole lifted Phoebe against the rock and pressed himself against her as they kissed. Phoebe began to moan and Cole lifted her arms around her head.

He slowly ran his hands up her shirt and cupped her beasts in his palms. He ran his thumbs along the sides of her breasts and down her sides to her hips, and around to her back.

Suddenly Phoebe pulled away.

"Cole…we have to get back to the children. "Phoebe said as she panted.

This wasn't what was on Cole's mind at all.

"You're right, come on…we will get you back to the house." Cole said in a lusting tone.

They walked back down the beach toward the house. The thought of Phoebe leaving him was not what he wanted to think about. It just wouldn't happen. He didn't hang on this long for her, for it to all fall apart now. But Cole could see what it was doing to Phoebe. There was only one thing to do.

Two days later……

Hermiston

next exit

Phoebe read on the passing green sign, as they drove up the Colombia Gorge.

Cole didn't say much after he and Phoebe dropped the kids off for a visit with Debbie's Aunt Cora.

Phoebe was uneasy about the whole experience. Cole reached for her hand a few times to show his support through out the drive. But he just didn't have any words.

They pulled up to the house and Cole turned off the engine. He started to open his door.

"Wait!" Phoebe said, and looked at Cole.

Cole took his hand from the door.

"I'm scared" She said as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Me too, but it will be ok…will do this together" Cole assured her, reaching for her hand.

They got out of the truck.

Smoke was coming from the chimney. A flash suddenly ran through Phoebe's head.