I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thanks for all of the great responses to Chapter Twenty-two! Please continue to read and respond! Also, thanks to all the new reviewers (jess and any others I might've missed). I'm glad you're enjoying the story!

mjmm – It was pleasing to see that you enjoyed the chapter more during your second reading! Thanks again!

Now on with love …

Chapter Twenty-three

"All the fear has left me now

I'm not frightened anymore

It's my heart that pounds beneath my flesh

It's my mouth that pushes out this breath

And if I shed a tear I won't cage it,

I won't fear love

And if I feel a rage I won't deny it

I won't fear love…" – Sarah McLachlan, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy

Sean slowly drifted awake; his mind abandoning it's peaceful dream for the fair sounds of birds singing, welcoming the dawn of a new Autumn day. Now fully alert, he found his body aroused, his heart springing with joy at feeling her nestled in his arms, her warm figure pressed lightly against him. Sean could hardly believe that he was here, waking up beneath the covers with Marita by his side. For when he'd come to Cholena, determined to see her, to break down her walls, he had not planned for things to go this far. But that's what happened, he thought blissfully, that's what always happened when he found himself in the presence of Marita. His noble intentions would almost instantly crumble, lost to the passion she ignited in his soul. Snuggling her closer, Sean sighed as he breathed in her scent. He loved the way she smelled he thought. How the light fresh fragrance that bared a hint of sweetness was always with her, seemingly embedded in her skin, intoxicating. Sean lightly touched her hair, relishing it's splendor as his fingers caressed the softness of it's curls. He then gently brushed her hair aside and hotly kissed her bare shoulder, causing Marita to quietly moan, to stir. Pleased with her sensuous response, Sean continued his trek, proceeding down the blade of her back before retreating to her shoulder and neck.

"Good Morning" he whispered once he reached her ear.

Marita came fully awake, trembling at the heat kindled by Sean's adoring touch; she then slowly turned to face him. "Good Morning" she beamed quietly, shyly. Amazed that she was here, uninhibited and living her dream.

Returning her smile Sean pulled her closer; then tenderly kissed her lips. "Are you okay?" he asked as he lightly stroked her arm.

"Yes…" she sighed, wanting to say more, but needing a moment to reign in her emotions, her thoughts. Though she was unbelievably happy, blissfully content with the unexpected turn last night had taken, Marita was battling trepidation, knowing that things should not have gone as far as they had. But she didn't want to think of that now, of the heartbreak that would eventually come; she only wanted to live in the moment, to bask in the joy that came in being with Sean.


"I'm more than okay…" she finally continued "I'm happy…and before last night…I didn't think that it was possible to love you more…but Sean I do…I love you…more than my heart can take."

Sean's spirit instantly quickened with elation, and amour. "I love you too" he whispered lovingly, then kissed her again, this time more deeply; wanting desperately to take things further, to again show her how much he loved her, but needing more just to hold her, savor her being so close. Inhaling deeply, Sean hugged Marita tighter, sighing as her head came to rest upon his chest, while fighting to withhold the tears incited by the fullness in his heart. The past several months had been hell without her and Sean never imagined all that he'd suffered would lead to so much joy, and peace, that such euphoria could cause an incredible ache in his soul, but it did. It was overwhelming and almost scary, the intense feelings that rushed endlessly through him, but being with Marita, knowing that her emotions were just as powerful, just as deep, managed to calm any fears that were threatening to arise.

"I wish this could last forever." Marita said quietly, lightly stroking his chest, impeding his thoughts.

"It will" Sean uttered in the same quiet tone, then kissed the crown of her head.

"Sean" she sighed skeptically. Knowing that though last night and that morning – this moment, was a dream come true, it still did not change the world that awaited them outside this home.

"Marita I'm serious." Sean replied as she slowly withdrew from his warmth, sitting up, now wearing a look of sorrow on her face.

"Last night…" he continued as he too sat up "I felt as if my soul was bound to yours, I still feel it…and I can't let go of it…I can't let go of you. I won't, not again." He said as he pushed her hair behind her shoulder; then ran his hand down her back. "Can you honestly say that you can walk away after what we've shared?"

Marita closed her eyes in conflict, pain, and intense arousal. Though she was trying to think, to sort through the struggle in her heart, Sean's hand, the way in which he was stroking her back, was clouding her, increasing the dilemma within. She needed to stop him she thought, to somehow escape his heated touch. Then suddenly, Marita moved to rise from the floor, gathering a blanket around her.

"Where are you going?" Sean asked, clearly confused and hurt that she hadn't answered his question.

"The fire has gone low" she stated softly

"I'll refresh it." Sean said as he moved to get up.

"No" Marita asserted, stopping him. "It's okay, I'll do it." She then turned from him and quickly rose from the floor.

Sean watched her intently, mesmerized by her ebony allure, as she walked across the room, sustaining the blanket that was covering her with one hand, while she lightly brushed the other beneath her eye. She was crying he thought dauntly. Well not crying, but it was coming and she was trying to push it away, push him away. His heart ached with love, and pain. He could understand her worries, her fear, he mused as he continued to watch her, now adding more logs to the fire. For he knew that as beautiful as last night was, it changed nothing when it came to the world that they'd eventually face, but she had to know that they could get through this, he reasoned, that no matter what, together is where they belonged.

After rebuilding the fire, Marita made her way to the nearest window and opened it's draperies, letting the sunlight in. She gazed out at the lovely scene that was the backyard, a sea of various trees that were beautifully displaying the colors of Fall. Feeling the breeze, rustling through the grass, the leaves, seeping between the cracks of the window, Marita shivered, but was instantly surrounded by Sean, wrapping his arms around her. She sighed as he pulled her gently against him, his warmth engulfing her, quickly quelling the chill. How was she going to let him go, she grieved, how could she turn away from the bond they now shared; Sean then buried his face in her neck, kissing it lightly, scattering her thoughts.

"Sean" she breathed as she moved to pull herself from his grasp

"No" he whispered as he gently tightened his arms around her "I won't let you run from me…"

Marita closed her eyes, melting inside, powerless to his loving embrace.

"I know that you're afraid…" he resumed "…I know that you're afraid that when people learn about us, that the lives we've worked so hard to build will be destroyed, but I don't agree…" he stressed, now turning her to face him "Yes people will be unhappy about our relationship, but they can't destroy us if we don't let them."

Marita gazed into Sean's passionate eyes, her heart pounding with longing and doubt. Though she knew what he was saying was true, she also knew that their lives, their relationship would never be that simple. "I'm not just concerned with this relationship causing problems with our jobs." She stated worriedly "I'm fearful of people responding to it with violence. You have a visible position in Lexington's government, and not long ago, you were engaged to marry Vivian Winters, the daughter of one of the most influential men in town. When people discover the real reason behind your broken engagement, they will be angry; some may even feel betrayed and decide to attack you or your family. I can't allow something like that to happen."

"Marita I can protect my family…" Sean countered

"How?" she cried "You can't stop the violence that comes with racial prejudice."

"I know that" Sean answered "But I can prevent any negative repercussions by leaving Lexington."

"What?"

"I've thought about the risks in staying there, so I'll leave…"

"No" Marita protested "I won't let you do that. Your life is in Lexington, on the ranch that you love and in your position as Deputy Director. I won't let you give that up. I won't take your life away from you."

"You won't be taking anything away from me." He asserted fervidly "Don't you see?" He continued as he gently cupped her cheek "Those things mean nothing to me if I can't share them with you... I don't want to attend another groundbreaking ceremony or accept another political appointment, without you there… by my side… as my wife."

"Sean…" Marita gasped "You can't mean what you're saying."

"I mean every word…" he countered lovingly, his eyes filled with emotion "Marry me Marita; do me the honor of becoming my wife." Sean ended as he gazed tenderly into her eyes, his thumb now stroking her cheek.

Marita was speechless, still not believing what she'd just heard Sean say. Though he'd declared this before, just yesterday, months ago, stating that she was the only one for him and that he wanted to spend his life with her, she never really grasped what that meant. She never allowed herself to believe that he, Sean Logan, wanted to marry her. And as much as Marita wanted this, wanted to accept Sean's loving request, she found that the answer yearning in her heart, was being obscured by the fear that remained constant in her mind.

"I want to Sean…" she finally uttered "I want this so much, bu…"

"Then say yes." He whispered passionately

"It's not that sim…"

"Don't think…" he interjected, knowing exactly what was plaguing her, causing the uncertainty in her eyes "Just…forget what might await us beyond this home, because whatever may come we'll get through it" He continued softly, pushing her hair away from her face "Right now… I want you answer with your heart…tell me what lives in your soul."

Marita closed her eyes, quietly heeding his words, finding that when she overlooked her fears, shutting out the views held by the world, things became so simple, so abundantly clear. Opening her eyes, Marita was shaken by the intense emotion emitting from Sean's beautiful blue gaze. It was so incredible, he was so incredible, she thought, as her heart was overcome with peace, and love......

"You… are what lives in my soul" she began shakily "And my dream… the desire… that's rooted so deeply in my heart… is to share my life with you…so yes…" she stated faintly "…I will marry you."

"Yes?" Sean questioned emotionally, as he wiped a tear from her cheek.

"Yes!" Marita confirmed happily

"Yes!" Sean yelled as he picked her up, spinning her around, causing Marita to laugh lightly, feeling liberated by his joy and her ability to allow her heart to guide her.

He then eased the twirl just enough to kiss her lips, before returning her feet to the ground. "I love you" he murmured, his eyes glowing with happiness and warmth.

"I love you" Marita uttered as she tenderly touched his face.

Sean closed his eyes, sighing at her love, her touch. He then softly clasped her hand, and sensuously slid it from his cheek, to his eagerly awaiting lips. Now feeling it's smoothness, it's warmth, Sean opened his mouth and hotly kissed her elegant palm, causing Marita to sighed at the pleasure it caused. Then removing her hand from his lips, he firmly pulled her to him and took her mouth in a deep, fervent kiss. They both moaned at the remarkable sensations that flooded their forms… Needing him closer, Marita released the covering that she'd drawn about her and threw her now free arm around Sean's back. They both instantly gasped. Overcome with an electrifying heat, ignited by the caress of their bare chests. Their mouths again melded together, feverish with hunger, as Sean buried his hands in her hair and Marita ardently stroked his back. Inflamed, racing towards an explosive boil, Sean swept Marita up in his arms; then carried her across the room, back to their pallet on the floor. They were again lost, immersed in the love that was forever present between them. Utterly oblivious and for the moment thoughtless, to the world and the troubles they were destined to face.