Chapter 53

A/N The next day

In honor of my birthday on Thursday I am going to give you a chapter a day until then. Enjoy!

Regrets and sorries are coming. Small amount, but not too much.

The sun peeked through the blinds shining right on his face. He opened his eyes slowly. He knew he was in his bed, but it felt different. He went to move his arm and that is when he realized why. The reason was lying curled into his body. The most beautiful person in the whole world was in his bed. A smile slowly crept on his face. He was truly happy and laying beside him was the reason.

Her hair was spread out all over the pillow. Her hand on his chest and a soft snore was escaping with each breath she took. He chuckled at her snoring. It was so cute and he realized at that moment he would gladly listen to her snoring if she woke up next to him for the rest of his life. He shook his head, it was way too early for those thoughts.

He raised a hand to run it down her arm. He wanted to get up so they could start their day together, but lying there felt too good. Her face was still a little puffy from her crying last night. It had broken his heart hearing her cry, but he knew that sometimes you just needed to cry it out.

He slowly eased out of the bed. He would make her breakfast, she really enjoyed eating and hopefully it would make her happy. He walked out of the bedroom, closing the door quietly. He wanted her to sleep as long as possible.

Thirty minutes later he opened the door, he picked the food laden tray up and walked in and sat down on the side of the bed. He gently ran a hand down her back. The duvet had slid down and her upper body was out of the covers. She moaned and readjusted her position. He gave her shoulder a gentle shake. He wanted to wake her as easily as possible. He didn't want to frighten her in case she didn't remember how she got into his bed.

Elizabeth slowly started waking up. She hurt all over and moving her head felt like a bulldozer had driven over her. She turned her head and opened her eyes. The light was all wrong in the room and she could not figure out why. Suddenly her eyes came into focus and fell on a gorgeous site. Henry was sitting on the side of the bed with a goofy grin on his face.

Wait, why is he in my room? What did I miss last night? She quickly looked down and discovered she was fully clothed. She looked around more and found she was not in her room at all. Where am I?

"What am I doing here?" she asked as she threw the covers off and jumped out of the bed.

"I brought you back here last night from the restaurant. After you told me about your parents death, I could tell you were close to tears. We came back here and I held you in my arms until you fell asleep. I brought you in here and tucked you into my bed. You were exhausted and needed to sleep," he told her. "I made you breakfast, since I know how much you like to eat," he said, holding the tray up for her to see.

"Why did you do that, you should have taken me home. I am sorry I need to go," she said, running out of the room. She looked for her shoes but didn't find them so she decided to just leave without them. She ran out of the door letting it slam behind her.

Henry was sitting on the bed in a state of shock. What just happened? Did I scare her off? Why did she run like that? He stood up and took the breakfast tray to the kitchen, setting it on the counter. He picked up his cup of coffee and walked over to the couch. He wondered what had made her react that way.

She ran all the way to her dorm room, once inside she threw herself on her bed and cried. She could not remember what happened last night after she initially told him about her parent's car accident. The rest of the night is a blur. At least they didn't have sex. That would have made the situation so much worse.

She slowly undressed and slung her skirt and shirt across the room in frustration. She walked in and turned on the shower to the hottest setting. Usually a steaming hot shower would clear her head and boy did she need that this morning. She caught a glimpse of her appearance in the mirror. Puffy face, red eyes and nose and damn her hair looked like something from a horror show. Glad now she didn't run into anyone she knew on her journey back to her place.

She stepped into the steaming hot shower letting the warmth stream over her sore body. She must have really had a night if her body was this sore. Henry had said she cried herself to sleep that must be why she is sore.

Henry, oh hell I have messed that up royally. First date and I end up a blubbering mess. Crying myself to sleep. Then the awkward bolting from his apartment. He must think I am a crazy person. Good thing it was only one date. He will realize he didn't have too much invested in me. Guess I will have to find a new running and breakfast buddy.

She finished showering and dressed in some comfy sweatpants and a t-shirt. She should do some studying for her final, but just could not bring herself to do it.

She plopped down on the sofa. Did I really screw things up with him? Would he forgive me? Damn I miss him already. You are losing your mind Elizabeth, get it together. I really should apologize to him, it sounds like he was a really good guy last night. Taking me to his apartment so I didn't fall apart in public. Holding me in his arms until I fell asleep. Making me breakfast this morning.

Her frustration with the situation was getting the better of her. She walked over and looked out the window. She had not realized it until now, but she could see the front door of his apartment from there. She sighed deeply. What the hell am I going to do? I really like him and running out on him must have hurt him. I really should at least apologize for my behavior this morning. I need to get my shoes and purse so I will have to go back eventually. Ok suck it up and get this done.

Henry was sitting on his couch staring off into space. What did I do wrong? Why did she run off like that? Why am I going to do to fix this? She is a special person and I have only started getting to know her, but I really, really like her. She makes me laugh and man can she hold a conversation. I can spend hours just talking to her. She challenges me in ways no one else ever has. She has had so much pain in her life, I want to bring her some joy. I just don't know how, if she won't let me.

Henry got up from the couch, he might as well clean up the breakfast dishes and try to get some class work done. He would leave the Elizabeth situation alone for a few hours and maybe he could clear his mind and come up with a solution.

He washed the last plate and set it in the dish drainer, just as he heard a soft knock on the front door. Drying his hands on a dish towel, he tossed it on the counter as he walked to the door.

He opened it and saw the last thing he expected. Elizabeth was standing at his door with a sheepish look on her face.

"Can I come in?" she asked, motioning with her hand.

He was too stunned to speak, so he just stepped back allowing her to enter.

She walked over and sat down on the end of the couch and pulled her legs up to her chest.

"Can I get you something to drink?" he asked.

"Oh please, coffee if you have it. I have a massive headache," she said as she used her thumb and forefinger to pinch the bridge of her nose.

Henry welcomed the distraction. The last thing he expected was her at the door when he opened it. He poured her a cup of coffee adding a splash of cream and a cup of water. He grabbed her 2 tylenol to help with her headache also.

He walked back in and handed her the items. "The wine consumption last night may be the reason for your headache."

"Probably more likely the crying, but thank you," she told him. She swallowed the tylenol and most of the water. She was really thirsty and didn't realize it. She smiled at him as a thank you for his consideration. She had come to realize he was a very considerate man. She just wasn't sure how she would be received by him with her drastic exit earlier.

There was an uneasy silence in the room. He didn't know what to say. He was patiently waiting for her to speak. He could tell she was trying to get her confidence to speak.

"First of all, thank you for last night. I don't remember what happened after dinner, but you bringing me back here to break down instead of doing it in public was very sweet of you. I am sorry about my reaction this morning. I really don't know why I reacted that way and it hurt your feelings and I am so sorry. That was not me at all, but apparently the last 24 hours have not been me either. I have told very few people about my parents and certainly not someone I have only known for 2 weeks. You asked and I wanted to be completely honest with you. I don't know where this is going with us, but I would hope that you will forgive me and give me another chance. I really like you and we have had a lot of fun hanging out," she told him.

He slid over and unfolded her legs and stretched them out. Taking her hands in his he raised them and placed a soft kiss on them. "Last night was hard on you. While I don't totally understand your reaction this morning, I completely forgive you. Telling someone something so painful to you is not an easy thing. I am happy you trusted me enough to tell me and be honest with me. I hope we can move forward and that this is something we can build on. I have enjoyed the time we have spent together and I look forward to more of it in the future. Now are you hungry?" he said as he looked at her hopeful.

She leaned her head back and laughed at him. Leave it to him to give her that heartfelt speech, then offer her food. Tears were gathering in the corner of her eyes. She totally expected him to tell her he could not deal with her issues and say he didn't want to see her again. Her heart was beating out of her chest. "Yes I am as a matter of fact, it has been a long time since dinner last night."

He laughed at her and stood with his hand out. She stood and interlaced their fingers. His hand in hers felt right.

He walked over to the refrigerator to gather items to make them a simple pasta. He knew from past experience that she needed to carb up when she had not eaten in a while. He laughed at that thought and shook his head. He was already getting tuned into her and it had only been 2 weeks.

"Ok, so something I have to confess to you," she said. "I am a terrible cook. Like I can burn water."

He turned to her with a smile on his face, "It is a good thing that I am an excellent cook then. You just stand there and watch a master do his work."

She dropped her head back and laughed. Truly laughed, like she had not in a long time. She had not found many things to truly laugh at or be happy with in a long time and in the space of an hour, Henry had accomplished both. She was truly happy.

He walked over and put his arms around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. He recognized her truly genuine laugh and he liked it. He pulled back and ran his hands down to her thighs and picked her up. He sat her down on the end of the counter so she could get a bird's eye view while he made them something to eat.

She kept stealing items off his cutting board and he smiled. He liked having her in his kitchen. The feeling in his chest was one of warmth and contentment. He hoped that feeling would last for a very long time.