A/N: Finally the next chapter and finally Red and Lizzie are back on track again. No more angst again. Thanks for all those who reviewed! Despite everything I still love this ship.

Chapter forty-five

"I feel guilty." Red admitted. He was glad Lizzie was here with him. He wanted to share this with her, wanted to share his grief. He still mourned his brother's death.

"About what?" Lizzie turned her body towards him.

"About being here. He should be here taking care of his two girls." Slowly he stood back up, taking Lizzie with him. "I should have done something. Should have helped him."

"How? What could you have done? He was sick. There was nothing you could have done." Lizzie paused a moment and looked away to find the right words. "You did the most important thing you could do, Raymond."

He looked at her, his head tilted to the side, wondering what she was going to say.

"You were there for him when he needed you the most. You brought him comfort, reassurance and gave him peace of mind. And you're doing the most important thing of all, taking caring of his two girls."

He contemplated her words and knew she was right. "Thank you." He whispered before pulling her into him and wrapping his arms around her. "How did you know where to find me?" He asked after releasing her again.

"Angela and Abby told me. Abby told me you go here when you're sad. Told me to hug you but you already did that." Lizzie smiled. "I used to visit my father's grave too. I haven't been in a while though. In a strange way being at his grave brought me comfort. As if I could still ask him for advice." She looked at the grave. "It's part of my way to let him know that I still think of him. It's been too long since I've visited his grave. Ever since I've moved here I haven't been there."

"We'll go visit him." Red took her hand in his and squeezed softly. "We'll go away for a few days."

"What about Jethro?" She asked.

"We'll make it a road trip."

In silence they stood at the grave. Now with Lizzie at his side he felt less sad. Even though they'd only been apart for one day, he'd missed her terrible. He knew they needed that day away from each other, but part of him had been scared. Because no matter how much faith he had in them, Lizzie had the ability to surprise him.

It was Lizzie who broke the silence. "How about we go to your house, grab you a bag and then go to my home?"

Red didn't say anything, nodded and raised an eyebrow. What did she have in mind?

She pulled on his hand and led them towards their cars, Red a step behind her. At the cars she stopped and turned towards him again. She took his other hand in hers too. "I want you by my side. Each and every day, Raymond. I want you to be the last person I see before I fall a sleep and I want you to be the first person I see when I wake up. I want you Raymond Reddington." She finished with a big smile on her face. It felt good to say the words, but even more so it was good to see how her words affected him. The troubled look in his eyes was now gone. In its place there was joy and love.

"I want that too, Lizzie." He whispered before he pulled her into his warm embrace again. "Thank you." He kissed her hair before he let her go. "Let's go, okay?"

It was more than thirty minutes later that Red and Lizzie arrived at Lizzie's home. Hand in hand they walked to the house. There was still more than enough to talk about, but the most important decision had been made by Lizzie and it was as if a weight had been lifted off of both their shoulders. Without really talking about it they both knew they needed to get comfortable with each other again. When they got their closeness back, the words would follow. Stepping inside Red and Lizzie were greeted enthusiastically by Jethro. Lizzie told Red she would take Jethro out for a short walk and for him to put away his belongings. When she returned from her walk she found Red relaxing on the porch. It was a beautiful and warm day. He smiled warmly at her when she stepped onto the porch.

"Good walk?" He asked, petting Jethro who'd immediately walked up to him.

"Yeah." After putting Jethro's leash away and giving him a treat, Lizzie was about to sit next to Red when he grabbed her hand and pulled her to him onto his lap.

He smiled at her surprise. He pulled her against his chest and felt her relax when she put her head on his shoulder. She kissed his neck and let out a content sigh. Red reciprocated the gesture and kissed her forehead. "Wanna go swimming later?" He asked her.

"You just want to see me in my bathing suit again." She teased him.

"Of course." With a finger under her chin he lifted her head, making her look at him. He lowered his head until his lips touched her. He kissed her gently, almost reverently as if he was afraid this wasn't real. It was, just like the day they were having, a promise and a reassurance at once.

When he ended the kiss, Lizzie settled back against his chest. He made her feel so cherished, so loved and she wished she hadn't wasted so much time. She took hold of his hand lifted it to her lips. She kissed his knuckles. She held his left hand in hers and touched his ring finger. Would there in time be a ring there? Would they become Mr. and Mrs. Reddington? She felt Red run his hand over hair and kiss her hair again.

Jethro interrupted their moment by nudging Lizzie's side with his wet nose. When she didn't react Jethro put his big paws on Red's leg so he could reach Lizzie's face. He licked her cheek and wagged his tail. Lizzie laughed. "What is it sweetie?" She grabbed his big head and scratched him behind his ears. Jethro barked, jumped back on the ground and disappeared for a minute. He returned with a tennis ball between his teeth. He wanted to play. Reluctantly Lizzie stood up, leaving Red's warm embrace. She held out her hand to him and pulled him up. "How about you go change and I'll play with Jethro for a moment."

"Mmm… need I worry about your priorities?" Red teased.

"I need to divide my attention between my two sweeties."

"Okay, okay. I can't argue with that." As he passed her he let his hand linger on her side. "Don't take too long tough. We need to go swimming."

"Need?" She asked, watching him walk away.

"Yes, need. You wouldn't want me to have brought my swim shorts with me for nothing, now would you?"

"Of course not, Red. Of course not." She said to his departing form. She smiled. She felt so much better with him by her side.

TBC...