Being a friend to Jake is intrinsically apart of her. Their story may have an unusual beginning, but most pairings cannot collide without a desire to be together somehow, someway. And for them, it just fits: perhaps it is their similar upbringing and formidable tenacity. Paulina only wants and ever wanted Jake to be complete. Jake only wants and ever wanted Paulina's belief.
Jake returns shortly finding Paulina looking out the window. He stops abruptly in his tracks transfixed how the moonlight bounces off her golden long locks. "You are beautiful; you are so beautiful." He is mesmerized by her. He hands her a cup of herbal tea with a splash of honey. "Watching you from a distance has always been a favorite pastime of mine."
Peering into her tea, "I know. I remember." She exhales heavily, "You have always been bigger than life. And I want you to know that I accept all of you, Jake. You, your ambition, your babies, your fervor, your friendship, your spontaneity… everything. Flaws and all." She walks around maintaining space utilizing the couch between them. "What are you most worried about… with an us?"
Jake takes a sip of tea. "You were always good for me… with me. You stood up for yourself and had no issue giving me the facts straight." He puts the cup down on the end table. "We are both stubborn. I don't think we are going to immediately pick up where we left off; I don't expect us to." He takes a step closer to her. "Whatever is happening here… we should take it slow. I know I have a reputation of pushing you. Don't expect that this go-round. I have the self-confidence and the fight." He takes another step closer, "I could live without you, Paulina." He is now an arm length away from her. "I have lived without you." He is standing right in front of her. "However, I will never go thru that pain again."
"Jake…" She rests one palm on his chest feeling his heartbeat.
"I don't have the right to tell you how much I want you, how much I need you." He pauses to breathe her in. "Honestly, I'm most worried you won't go for it…" He stands still placing a hand over hers laying gently on his chest. "That you will feel a need of obligation or something to stay in your current… situation. I won't be the person to force you to come to me…"
"How long have you felt this way? The want, the need?" She wipes a tear from his cheek.
"Oh Paulina… I never stopped." He reaches around her to pull her closer to him resting his hands on her lower back. "We both may have moved on, but the spark between us never left. You know… the day you married someone else was one of the hardest days I lived thru. What about you, what are you worried about?"
"Being apart of your life is important to me. I have been your friend, your lover, your wife..." She lays her head on his chest. "I have won you, lost you, grieved you, lost you again… I don't think my heart will take loosing you once more either, McKinnon." He rubs her back, "When you are in my life, I feel more alive. You make everything an adventure. We are more passionate and romantic together than we are apart. We bicker, we fight… but my god, Jake." She stops to look up at him.
"What?" He reaches for the music controller.
"I miss it… I miss our life together." She starts to weep.
He holds out his hand, "Come here…"
He pulls her close wrapping one arm around her waist and the other clutching to her hand. The song starts slow and soft as they dance…Jim Brickman's: Love of My Life.
I am amazed
When I look at you
I see you smiling back at me
It's like all my dreams come true
Jake flashes back to them in bed at their townhouse.
I am afraid
If I lost you girl
I'd fall through the cracks and lose my track
In this crazy lonely world
Jake flashes back to when Paulina moved out of their townhouse.
Sometimes it's so hard to believe
When the nights can be so long
And faith gave me the strength
And kept me holding on
Paulina flashes back to them stranded in the forest before they jumped off the cliff together.
You are the love of my life
And I'm so glad you found me
You are the love of my life
Baby put your arms around me
I guess this is how it feels
When you finally find something real
My angel in the night
You are my love
Love of my life
Paulina flashes back to them rolling around in the barn. Jake flashes back to them in the hot tub together in each other's arms.
Now here you are
With midnight closing in
You take my hand as our shadows dance
With moonlight on your skin
Paulina locks eyes with Jake and they come to a stop, but continue to hold each other. This time it is Paulina. She leans into him and their lips meet. It is soft, but full of everything they feel for one another at that moment.
I look in your eyes
I'm lost inside your kiss
I think if I'd never met you
About all the things I'd missed
Sometimes…
"Come with me," Jake leads Paulina up to the third floor as the song finishes. No words are exchanged.
He points to the large comfortable white chair in the sitting area off the bedroom. "Relax, I'll be right back."
She acknowledges and flips thru the coffee table book on the Banff Mountains. Paulina smirks wondering what Jake is planning now. She eagerly awaits for him to return.
Jake collects Paulina, "What… what are you doing?" She follows him into his room that is scarcely lit with two sconces above the bed. He proceeds into the suite towards the bathroom.
She finds herself in a gorgeous room with an oversized tub full of bubbles, candles lit around the perimeter bouncing off the stained glass window. "This is really nice, Jake."
"It's all for you. Just a small gesture of appreciation…" He stands behind her and barely lays a kiss behind her right ear. "Enjoy." He starts to walk away and she grabs his hand.
With a big smile, Paulina squeezes his hand and says "Thank you."
Jake retreats back to the main floor to clean up. Paulina quietly undresses in peace living in the moment, while feeling unabashed in her nudity. Ten minutes pass and heads up stairs with cold sparkling water and a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie. He gently knocks on the door, "You okay for me to come in?"
With her eyes closed, she tucks a few hair strands loose from her untidy up-do, "Sure. This is pure heaven. Thanks again." Once she hears footsteps, she opens her eyes to find Jake sitting on the wood stool beside the tub with a tray. "What do you have there?"
"Some fancy water and pie. I figured I could enjoy while watching you bathe." He winks putting a forkful of goodness in his mouth. "How is it?"
"The bath is great. Just what I needed. How's the pie?" Paulina asks putting the washcloth back over her eyes.
"Tasty. You want a bite?" Jake prepares the fork for the perfect mouthful. Before she answers, he slowly slides the bite between the most luscious pair of lips. Her tongue licks the excess crumbs as a knee peaks out from under the bubbles.
"You're right. That's delicious." Removing the washcloth off her face, Paulina makes eye contact with him. "Jake, what are we going to do?"
"We're going to keep talking, figuring things out." He takes another bite and then offers her some of the sparkling water. "Talk about what's in our hearts. How we feel? We both need to promise each other that whatever we decide, it has to be about us. Only us. Yes, we have children that will be affected. But don't you agree, that we should think of our happiness - kids read into everything."
"I completely agree, Jake. We don't run away. We face the hard topics head on." She takes the fork away from him and enjoys the last bite. "Can you help me get out?"
Jake opens the white bath sheet awaiting for Paulina to rise from the foam filled tub. He hides behind the towel giving her privacy. He wraps her up with care as he deeply inhales her fresh scent. "In case you want to stay up here with me, I put one of my shirts out for you to sleep in." Jake heads downstairs to put away the pie plate, refill their glasses, and to clear his mind.
Paulina retires in Jake's bed with the white tee he left out.
"You decided to stay?" Jake grins happily to find her under the covers.
Paulina peeks at him getting ready for bed. "Stop looking", she says to herself. He removes his sweats keeping on his black boxer briefs and black tee. "Can we go out for a hike tomorrow with the girls? It doesn't have to be too challenging."
He slides under the covers, "That's a great idea." They both roll on their sides to face each other.
Paulina closely examines Jake's facial features: what's changed, what's the same. Flirtation is prominent, but respectful. Their nervousness is ever present and for the same reason.
"Before I forget, I need to get the girls into a pediatrician. Who should I call in Bay City?" Jake's fingertip outlines her chin.
She tucks her arm under her head, "Let me call Dante's doctor in the morning and I'll get them in as soon as we get back."
"I appreciate that." Jakes wants to hold her, but he restrains himself. They drift off studying each other's face.