Chapter Eleven

Robert woke up early and put some coffee on. He knew they had to start making some plans for how they were going to deal with Faison but for now, he wanted to focus on the beautiful woman in his bed. He left a note on the kitchen table in case she woke up and decided to go fetch her some breakfast.

When he returned to the house, he could hear the shower going and decided to surprise her. He put the flowers in water and the breakfast on the table and headed upstairs. Anna was standing under the faucet with her eyes closed when she could feel his warm lips on her neck and his arms around her waist.

"We really need to stop meeting like this," she quips.

"Are you saying you don't like playing with fire," he questions.

"It's the getting burned that I am a little worried about."

"It's been burning for weeks now," he answers, claiming her lips in a soul-searing kiss. Anna's arms wrap around his neck as he lifts her into his arms.

"I'm not going to hold you to any promises you made when you thought I was asleep last night," she stated.

"I meant every word Annie. You aren't getting rid of me that easy."

"Robert, I…"

"I love you Anna Devane. I know it will not be easy but I need you as much as the air I breathe. I choose you Luv. I could never let you go for all those years and when you finally came back, I felt like my whole world was right again. I also felt like I owed it to Holly to try to fix things between us but I did not do a very good job. You are the one in my blood Annie…You…Only ever you."

"Oh Robert…I love you too. I love you so much."

"Then would you please stop talking. I'm trying to devour you."

She laughs as he kisses her again, cutting off any attempt at conversation. Kisses grew heated within seconds of touching and soon the only sound that you could hear was the sound of each other's names as they came together under the faucet.

Anna was lying in Robert's arms as he fed her strawberries and chocolate.

"You spoil me too much Scorpio."

"I don't spoil you enough."

"Are we going to be eating any time soon…FOOD Robert…I mean FOOD and not just strawberries either."

"If the lady wants food then she gets food. Why don't you get dressed and I'll heat up our meal."

"When did you go out?"

"You were still asleep. You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you. I left you a note in case you woke up while I was gone."

"You are so thoughtful. I think I can get used to this you know…this being happy thing. You make me Happy."

"Oh Anna…You make me happy too. Happier than I have ever been. I love you."

He kisses her nose and reaches for his discarded clothing. She can hear him walking down the stairs a minute later and smiles. Is this really, her life, she wonders. Is it finally possible for her to figure out what happiness means.

When Anna walks down the stairs, Robert is taking the food out of the microwave.

"You bought me flowers," she asks, a big smile on her face.

"I like seeing you smile. I figured this was a good start. I should have been sending you flowers for the last seven years."

"It's not your fault Robert. You didn't know."

"Anna, I just want to know what is going on with you. How you feel. That bastard kept you hostage for years. How did you ever survive?"

"I wrote letters to you."

"You did?"

"I did. I kept them in my journal. Some day when I am ready, I will show them to you. Can that be enough for now?"

"I would never push you into something you aren't ready for. Take all the time you need. I will still be here."

She kisses him softly then puts her head on his shoulder as he strokes her hair. It was their way of communicating with each other. He held her close as they breathed in each other. She was here. She was alive. They were finally together. Everything else could wait.

"Let's eat, "she finally says.

Robert knows that it is her way of telling him that she is okay now. He fills her plate and his and then sits across from her. He just watches her for a moment before turning to his own food. He has never been the kind of man that happiness usually happened to…except somehow with Anna by his side, he finally believes it. He can be happy now. She makes him happy. Everything else will fall into place.