FOR THE LOVE BRYNN

COMING JULY 2011

I haven't been feeling well lately and I look forward to your reviews…I hope I hear from each of you.

MY PERFECT IAN

IN THE MORNING, IAN WOKE BEFORE ME. When he woke me, he had breakfast on a tray for us.

"Good morning, sleepy head. I trust you slept well?"

"I slept like a baby."

"Good, I made you some pancakes."

"Are you sure your mom didn't make them for you?" I teased.

He mimicked me. "No, my mom didn't make them. I can cook you know."

"Good, then I'll tell Jeb to put you on cooking duty today."

"Hey, I wouldn't mind as long as you are cooking with me but we've got a field to plant."

"Oh! I forgot."

"Come on, Princess. Let's get a move on and remember; I still owe you for the mom crack."

As we walked to the main cavern to the garden, it occurred to me that somehow I needed to get with his mom and probably Sunny and Jeb to plan something for Ian's birthday and then Kyle's birthday the week after that. Sunny and I would have to go for a road trip. I new this would probably make Ian nervous.

In the garden, Ian and I worked along side of each other. At first we were serious about getting the garden seeded but after a few hours we both became playful. Watering the field became a game of watering each other. He started it when he poured a bucket of cool water over my back when I was bent over planting. I wasn't expecting it and it came as a shock.

"IAN!" I shouted.

"Ha! Don't worry you're not mean enough to melt!"

I waited for my moment and I picked up two handfuls of mud and plopped them on his head when he bent over to pick up the empty buckets to go for refills. He chased me and when he caught me we both fell in the dirt laughing. We were spreading dirt all over each other.

Doc and Sharon walked by and saw us wrestling in the dirt. "I think you are supposed to plant the seeds, not each other," Sharon said sarcastically.

We cracked up. I tried to use the moment to crawl away but he grabbed me by the leg and pulled me through the dirt towards him. He rolled me onto my back and laid on top of me. "You're a dirty girl. You know that?"

"Well, you're filthy and disgusting."

"And you like that don't you?"

He started to tickle me and I in turn tickled him back. He was more ticklish than I was so I was winning the fight.

"I give up!" he cried out.

My mistake was I stopped just long enough for him to regain his control. He grabbed both of my hands and pinned them behind my back. Then he laid on top of me.

"I still owe you for the 'Mom' crack. How would you like to eat a mud pie?"

"No, Ian. You wouldn't!"

He grabbed a huge handful of mud. "Open up Babe!"

I clamped my lips shut. He began spreading the mud all over face when we saw two feet standing next to us. We looked up and Jeb was standing there.

"I hope you two are having fun."

Ian snapped to his feet and pulled me out of the dirt. He cleared his throat. "Sorry, Jeb."

"Hmmm. Mud wrestling. Might have to consider it between plantings. By the looks of you two it's a good way to turn the soil. You better go get cleaned up."

"No. Me and Wanderer will clean this up and replant this area."

"You sure?"

I spoke up now. "Yes, Ian and I want to take full credit for this garden. We worked really hard."

"I can see that." Jeb said glibly.

Jeb slowly walked off. When we thought he was out of earshot we both burst out laughing.

"I can hear you!" Jeb called back.

Ian picked up the buckets. "Okay I'll get more water, you start replanting, okay with you?"

"Aye aye captain." We would have kissed each other but honestly we just would have been eating dirt.

When we were done, we went looking for anyone who could get clean clothes for us. The first person we ran into was Mel.

She took one look at us. "Oh my god, are you two insane?"

"Well, according to you we are. Remember?"

"So, you decided to prove it?"

Ian's smile was huge. "We were just having fun. Can you do us a favor?"

"Hose you down?" she said sarcastically.

"No, we need clean clothes. Can you get them from our room and bring them to the bathing room?"

"Fine. I'll bring them to you."

"Thank you Mel."

Ian and I held hands and walked towards the bathing room. We passed his father of all people. He looked at us in surprise. "I don't even want to know."

"Dad, what's important is that we planted the whole field and we had fun doing it."

Tom just shook his head and continued on his way.

Once we got to the tub we jumped in with our clothes on. We washed each other and the scrubbing became caressing. He took my face in his hands and kissed me gently. The slow burn kiss. The water was cool but his lips were warm. The contrast was nice.

"EXCUSE ME!" It was Mel with our clothes.

Ian stopped kissing me. "Thanks, Mel."

"Yeah, you're welcome."

Once she left, we took off each others clothes and squeezed them out and put them along the edge of the tub. Ian took my chin in his hand.

"Now, where were we?"

I put my lips right up to his and whispered. "Right about here."

We were pretty darn clean by the time we got out, pruny even. I had been so happy these last twenty four hours. I only hoped it would last.

After dinner, Ian suggested that we visit his mom. He grabbed my high heeled sandals as we left the room.

"Ian, what are you up too?"

"I just figured if we start practicing now, then by the time we get married, we'll be the Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers of the caverns."

"You really want to practice dancing with me?"

"I get to hold you in my arms. What could be better than that?"

His mom was waiting for us. Dad looked like a trapped animal.

Maggie spoke first. "Ian said he danced with you in the desert."

"It was only for a few minutes and there was no music."

"Well, I have music. Sunny purchased everything I need. Ian says you are quite a good dancer."

I gave Ian a warning glance as I thought back to my gyrating dance on the pool table. "I took dance when I was younger, ballet and contemporary."

"Well, let's see what you can do."

"Right now?"

"That's what we're here for."

"I'm not prepared," I protested.

"Here, look through the music I have and see if anything moves you. Then just go with the flow," she suggested.

I looked through the CD's Sunny had bought for her. I found a song that I had actually danced to long ago at a recital. I couldn't remember the exact routine but I knew that I could wing it.

"Mind if I stretch first?"

"No. That's a great idea. Ian stretch with your girlfriend," she ordered.

"Mom!"

"Hey, you always stretched before a game. It's the same thing."

I was giggling. Ian shot me a dirty look. "Hey, this was your idea!" I reminded him.

I turned my attention to Maggie. "Maggie, could you put on the music I selected? I want to visualize while I stretch. I have to reach into Pet's memory and the music will help."

"Sure dear."

As Ian and I sat on the floor stretching, I closed my eyes to see Pet dancing gracefully across the floor in my mind. When I opened my eyes Ian was staring at me.

He grinned slyly. "Was it good for you?"

I laughed. "Shut up, dork."

"Mom, you see how she treats me?"

Maggie shook her head. "You two are like children."

"Happy children," I corrected her.

When I finished my stretching, I got up and did some pirouettes and jumps across the floor. Ian sat on the floor watching me. "You're not going to make do that are you?"

"I don't think you could," I teased.

"You got that right."

"Okay, I'm ready. Now remember, I haven't done this in two years."

Maggie started the music. At first I followed the routine as I had remembered it but about half way through I let go of my inhibitions and just let the music take me. By the time the music ended I was crouched in graceful pose. It was quiet in the room.

Ian broke the silence. "Wow."

His mom added. "That was stunning. You have wonderful presence."

"Thank you. My Dad wanted me to pursue dance but I lost interest because I wanted to hang out with my friends."

"Okay, let's do some simple old fashioned ballroom."

I put on my heels. Maggie used Tom to show steps, posture, and techniques. I picked it up much quicker than Ian.

"Don't get frustrated. You're doing great," I encouraged him.

"I just feel awkward," Ian stammered.

"Well, when you pitch, there's a flow to your movement. Yes?"

"I suppose," he replied.

"If you close your eyes, can you visualize that movement?"

"Absolutely."

"Okay, you're doing the steps and I can tell you are counting them off in your head. Dancing is rhythmic, that's what my teacher always used to say. Feel the music. It would be easier if we had a mirror. Close your eyes and feel the movement as you do it."

He closed his eyes for a few seconds and then opened them again.

"Close your eyes Ian," I directed. "I won't let you falter."

He closed his eyes and I held him tight. After a few minutes, his steps became smoother.

"There you see? That's better already. You better open your eyes or I'm going to kiss right here in front of your mom," I teased.

He opened his eyes and he kissed me…right there…right in front of his mom. It lasted only about ten seconds but it was an open mouth kiss and I was surprised and pleased and just a little dizzy.

"I love you, Babydoll," he whispered at the end of the kiss. The music stopped but we were still holding each other.

Maggie ran over to the CD player. "Don't stop!"

I wasn't sure if she meant the kissing or the dancing. Ian smiled shyly.

"When do I get to dip you?"

"Later," I said jokingly.

About a half hour later, we called our dance lesson to a close. Ian kissed his mom and thanked her. She turned to me.

"You know you can come here anytime and dance if you want. You shouldn't let your talent go to waste."

"Thanks, I'll think about it."

"Maybe eventually we can have a class and get some of the others to join us."

I thought of having Sunny and Lily and a few of the others dragging their loved ones for lessons. "You might be on to something."

Ian and I walked arm and arm back to our room. I still had my heals on and so I wasn't so short anymore. I was blissfully happy.

"Do me a favor?" he asked.

"What?"

"Keep the shoes on."

I smiled. It was a good night.

The following morning I woke to a note on Ian's pillow.

Wanderer,

You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to wake you. Jeb came by to talk to me and he saw you lying naked in the bed. Close your mouth Babydoll, I'm just kidding. I covered you before he came in. He asked me to take guard duty with Kyle. He gave you the day off. If you want to visit me, you know where I am.

I love you,

Ian

I visited Ian after I ate breakfast but then I went off to find Sunny. She was washing clothes. We talked about parties for our O'Shea men and we decided to take a road trip immediately to get gifts and party supplies as well as food for the week.

When Ian came off guard duty, he found me with his mom. We had been talking about the party. As we walked through the tunnels to the kitchen for dinner, I broke the news.

"Sunny and I are going on a road trip."

"When?"

"Tomorrow."

"Then I'm coming with you," he said adamantly.

"No," I said bluntly.

"Why not?"

"Because it's girls only. We are getting stuff for your birthday and for Kyle's."

"How long are you going to be gone?"

"Two nights, but…" I paused. "Sunny wants to go out."

Ian raked his hand through his hair and he walked away leaving about six feet between us. He kept control and his voice was low.

"You're going to that club where all the college guys hit on you last time," he said obviously upset.

"Yes, but I told them I was engaged," I reminded him.

"But you're not now," he pointed out.

"They don't know that."

He looked hurt. I wanted to go out but not at the expense of hurting Ian especially when things had been going so well.

"Do you want me to tell her that I don't want to go?"

He let out a deep sigh. "No."

I could see that he was summoning all of his strength to give in.

"I'll be good. I promise."

"I know. I'm just being paranoid."

He came to me now and put his arms around me. "You have fun. I know how much you like to dance."

Again Ian had surprised me with his amazing calmness.

That night as we lay in bed he broke the silence. "You know what I want for my birthday?"

"What?" I was eager because although I knew what I wanted to get him; another gift idea wouldn't hurt.

"Nothing. I have everything I want right here." He pulled me on top of him. "Kiss me."

I kissed him and I gave myself to him, body and soul.

The next day I volunteered both Ian and I to do the cooking and the dishes for the day. He was oddly excited about the project. After breakfast we did all the dishes and then headed to the game room for another dance lesson. It was easier for him this time and we had a lot of fun. I also danced alone and Ian watched me. I thought I should take Maggie up in her offer to teach others but I wanted to hone my skills first. I thought if I went to the library, I might find some tapes of contemporary dancers that I could watch and study. I would put it on my 'to do' list of things for tonight's road trip.

It was nice spending the day with Ian. He was attentive without being overbearing. For dinner he wanted to cook his mom's meatloaf. She wrote down the list of ingredients before we left the game room.

In the kitchen as we prepared the meatloaf, Ian and I got playful again. He was cutting up the onions and his eyes were full of tears.

"Oh, Superman. Don't cry. I'm not leaving forever!" I teased him.

"Shut up or I'll make you cut the onions."

"I'll shut up but only if you kiss me."

He slapped the knife down on the cutting board, pulled me into his arms, and kissed my lips softly. "Will that shut you up?"

I shook my head. "Uh-uh."

He kissed me again with his famous slow bur kiss and I was like butter in his onion smelling hands. "You're spoiled. You know that?"

"Uh-huh. Pet's Daddy spoiled her rotten and I have her memories."

"Well, who's your Daddy now?"

I smiled broadly. "You are."

"That's right, and when you're off gyrating those pretty hips with some college boy, you keep that in mind."

"Don't worry. You're always watching me." I hugged him for reassurance before he released me and went back to cutting the onions.

The recipe didn't call for ketchup as my mother had always made meatloaf but a can of tomato paste. We each had a bowl to mix since we had to make six pans of meatloaf to feed everyone. I reached in to mix my meatloaf and it was cool and squishy.

Ian picked up a handful of the half mixed scary looking meat and held it as if he was going to spread it on my face.

"Oh, you wouldn't," I warned him.

"Oh, wouldn't I?" he teased.

"Ian this is people's food you're playing with," I warned him again.

"And?" He looked evil. I tensed and closed my eyes. He put his mushy finger to the tip of my nose. "Gotcha! I'm just kidding. You really thought I'd throw raw meat at you?"

"I did," I admitted.

"Well, I wouldn't unless I knew it protected you in some way," he chuckled.

Ian put slices of uncooked bacon on top of the pans of meatloaf before we slid them into the ovens. We made 'Au Gratin' potatoes and peas as well. The meatloaf was delicious. It was moist because the now crispy bacon held in the juices when the meatloaf was done. Everyone complimented us on our meal. Ian's mom came over.

"Good job, son but you forget the green pepper."

"I didn't forget the green pepper. I don't like the green pepper. Don't you remember I used to pick the green pepper out."

"That's right you did."

"Oh, well, it was delicious anyway. You two are a good team."

"Thanks mom."

After dinner, I went to pack my things for the trip while Ian got the dirty dishes together. I came to help him when I was packed and ready.

"Do you want me to run with you to the garage?"

"If you want," I said nonchalantly.

"Of course I want to but that's not what I'm asking you." He was trying not to push but I could tell he was nervous.

"Absolutely. You need the exercise and I get a last kiss out of the deal."

"Thank you."

Burns decided to return to the mountain so we all ran together so we could share the jeep to the wash. Kyle ran with Sunny as well and our O'Shea men kissed us good bye at the jeep while Burns and Lily said their own good-byes as well.

"You take care of yourself and remember I'm always watching you." He smiled and pulled my hand up with the ring on it for effect.

"I love you, Ian."

He pulled me into a tight hug and whispered in my ear. "I love you more."

At the wash, we said our good byes to Burns.

"Little Sis, you take care of yourself and I'll see you soon."

"I will. Take care of Nate, will you?"

"I always have." He gave me his usual bear hug and we were all on our way into the night.

As soon as we hit the highway, I called Nate.

"Hello, Beautiful!"

"Hi, Nate."

"How are things with my favorite lady?"

"Things are good, better than good actually."

"So, I take it that you haven't said anything to Ian about our time together."

"Actually, we had a very good talk. He was incredibly understanding about the whole thing."

"Really? What exactly did you tell him?"

"I told him the truth. I told him that we got very close but that I couldn't betray him. I told him about my nightmares. And I told him that I was still in love with you."

"He was okay with that?"

"He expected it."

"Wow."

"I know. I was pretty shocked myself. He asked that I think about where he is when I am with you because he doesn't want to see any physical affection between us simply because he can't promise that he won't lose it. He's really trying Nate. He's been so wonderful these last few days. He's even taking dance lessons."

"I'm so jealous."

"I'm not saying this to hurt you. That's never been my intention. I just wanted you to know that I am in a good place right now."

"No. I know."

"Burns is on his way home too. I told him to take care of you."

"Thanks."

"Maybe you should ask Holly out for a dinner date?"

"Killing two birds with one stone, eh?"

"What do you mean?" I was confused.

"You know, find a girl for me and take Holly out of the 'Ian' equation."

"Nate! Holly is no threat to me, I just thought you might keep each other company. I'm not telling you marry her!"

"I'll think about it. My other line is ringing. It must be Burns."

"I'll let you go then. I love you."

"Love you too. Take care, Beautiful." He hung up.

Sunny and I got to the hotel in Tucson in good time. In the morning we went and ate breakfast first. Our next stop was the furniture store. I wanted to get two items. I wanted to get a new mattress and box spring and bed frame for our room for Ian's birthday. Since we were starting our relationship new, I thought the new bed would be a nice gift to symbolize our commitment to each other. The second item I wanted to get was another love seat for the main cave. It would all just barely fit in the van and we would have to tie the doors because they wouldn't close all the way. After that we went to the sports store and bought new baseball gloves for both Ian and Kyle and a box of balls so they would be able to throw in the caverns. The main cave was large enough for them to play catch and for Ian to pitch. Our final stop of the day was the party store where we bought all the supplies we would need for each of their parties.

"Now we can have some real fun." Sunny remarked. "Where do you want to eat dinner?"

"I don't know. I'm not really hungry." I replied. My stomach felt a little bloated.

"We haven't eaten since this morning."

"Well I started my cycle this morning, maybe that's it. We can go wherever you want. I'll eat I guess."

She took us to a popular Italian restaurant. I ordered but I didn't really feel like eating so I just picked.

"You're not eating." Sunny observed.

"I'll have it boxed up and take it back to the hotel for later."

When we got back to the hotel to change for our night out, I started to feel a little queasy. I didn't say anything because I knew Sunny was really looking forward to going to the club. We took a taxi since the van was crammed with furniture.

The club was crowded and hot. A few brave guys approached us immediately and asked us to dance. I figured if I said I didn't want to dance then they would want to talk and I really didn't want to get to know anyone so I opted for the dancing. We had been there only about a half hour when my queasiness increased considerably and I started to sweat. Sunny was nearby dancing and I went to her.

"I don't feel so good, I'm going to the bathroom." I was really hot now and I felt a little faint.

"I'm coming with you," she announced. I was glad. We had a pact that neither of us ever went farther than a few feet from each other. It was our way of protection.

A few feet from the bathroom I felt the vomit coming and I ran to the toilet. Sunny was behind me in just a few seconds holding my hair from my face.

"Oh my god, Wanderer. You're really sick."

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to ruin your night."

"Don't be silly. I'm taking you back to the hotel."

There were a few taxis outside so we took the first one in line back to the hotel. Once we got inside the room I was back at the toilet heaving.

"Maybe I should take you home now."

"No. I just want to go to bed." I felt like crap. I thought maybe if I could just sleep I'd be okay in the morning. I had no such luck. I was up about every half hour gagging and heaving. There was nothing left to throw up after a while and then I just felt weak. At about four in the morning Sunny had had enough.

"I'm taking you home. Doc will know what to do. You're burning up." She helped me into the passenger side of the van and grabbed a trash can from the room. By the time we got back to the caverns, it was just after sunrise. Sunny drove directly to the overhang. It was pure luck when we got there, Ian had chosen overnight guard duty so he wouldn't miss sleeping without me. He came out to the truck.

Sunny jumped out of the van.

"Ian, it's Wanderer. She's really sick."

Ian came around to my side of the van and ripped open the door. If I looked only half as bad as I felt, I knew I must look pretty sad. He scooped me into his arms and pulled me from the seat.

"Jesus, you're burning up."

"Oh, Ian. I don't feel good."

"Okay, Babe, hang on. I'll get you to Doc."

Ian carried me to Doc's office and Sunny went to wake him. He put me down on the cot, grabbed a blanket from the shelf, and covered me with it.

I lay like a rag doll. I had no energy. Ian brushed the hair from my sweaty face.

"I need to cool you down. I'll be right back."

He ran out of the room but returned in less than a minute with Doc.

"I sent Sunny to get Candy. She knows more about treating a soul than I do." It was Doc's voice. I had closed my eyes because I was too exhausted to open them.

"Can a soul get sick?" Ian asked.

"Well, they have human bodies and viruses can't be wiped out. If it's a virus we will need to quarantine everyone who has come in contact with her to make sure it doesn't spread."

A minute later, Candy came in and examined me. "She's got a stomach virus. The younger the host, the more susceptible to these things they are because they are sick less often and therefore haven't built up the immunities that older humans have. She picked it up less than twenty four hours after contact so it's a fast moving virus."

Doc spoke. "We can give her cool and at least stop the fever for a while right?"

"Yes. That would definitely help her enough to sleep."

Ian spoke desperately. "Then do it."

Doc went to the cabinet and got the cool. He slipped a thin paper-like slice from the vile.

"Come on Baby, open your mouth," Ian coaxed me.

I opened my mouth and Doc dropped the slip on my tongue. Within a minute my fever was gone and although I was exhausted I didn't feel nauseous anymore.

"How are you feeling?" Doc asked.

"I'm not hot anymore but I'm really tired."

"Okay, you sleep."

"Can't I go to my room with Ian?"

"No everyone here is staying here for a few days."

Sunny objected. "What? You must be kidding."

Candy addressed Sunny. "Wanderer has caught a virus and it could be very dangerous to the rest of the people here. We don't have enough cool to treat everyone in the caverns."

"Can't you just heal her?" Sunny asked.

"No, viruses can't be healed. It's not a cut or a wound. It's more like an invasion to the body, like a cancer. We can take away the fever but the virus has to run its course. It's best if the five of us stay here for forty eight hours so we can control it if any of us gets sick and it won't spread to anyone else."

Doc injected himself into the conversation. "So the souls haven't cured cancer?"

"No, they can heal the damage done to the body but the cancer itself can never be cured. People just live longer because they are continually being healed without the use of radiation or chemotherapy which kills, not cures."

"What are we supposed to do for forty eight hours?"

"Play cards," I muttered.

"Where will we sleep?" She asked.

"Tell Jeb to get our mattress out of my room," I directed weakly.

Ian objected. "Babydoll, that's our mattress."

"I got us a new one."

"What?"

Sunny interrupted so I wouldn't have to speak. "She bought you a new bed as a symbol of your new relationship. I think it's a nice thought. She even got a frame for it so you won't be sleeping on the ground anymore."

"Oh, Babydoll," he leaned in to kiss me.

"No, Ian. I'm icky!" I protested.

"You are beautifully icky." He kissed my forehead.

Doc went to the tunnel and waited for Jeb to show up. Brandt had been on duty with Ian and he went to get him. Doc stopped him before he got too close. He explained the situation and asked Jeb to get the mattress and a deck of cards. I was asleep before Jeb returned. When I woke up Ian was asleep on the mattress with Sunny. Doc and Candy were eating a snack.

"Good afternoon little one. How are you feeling?" Doc asked.

"A lot better. How long has Ian been asleep?"

"He conked out about ten o'clock this morning. He'd been up all day and all night and he didn't want to go to sleep but his body eventually gave out. Are you hungry?"

"You know what? I am hungry."

"JEB! YOU OUT THERE?" Doc bellowed out.

"Yep, just hanging out!" Jeb called from down the tunnel.

"WANDA'S UP AND SHE'S HUNGRY!" Doc yelled.

"Okay, I'll see what I can rustle up."

"NOTHING TOO HEAVY!"

Ian and Sunny must have been out cold because all the yelling didn't phase them a bit. They slept soundly.

After a little while Jeb called from the hall and Candy went to retrieve a tray. She came back with a bowl of soup and crackers and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. There was a glass of water and a can of soda as well.

I decided to go with the soup and crackers. I left the peanut butter sandwich for whoever woke first. Doc, Candy, and I decided to play cards to while away the time. After about an hour Sunny woke up. She got up and took my place at the table and I lay on my back next to Ian. I picked up one of Doc's novels he had in a drawer. It was a classic novel that I had read in school but it was better than nothing. I lay there reading for another hour or so before Ian rolled over and knocked the book out of my hand.

"Hey!" I squawked.

"Wanderer?" He realized I was on the mattress with him. "How are you feeling?"

"I was fine till you knocked the book out of my hand," I snarled.

He smiled his big happy smile. "You're feisty, so I guess you're feeling better."

"Yes, I'm feeling better and you shouldn't have deprived yourself of sleep for so long."

"I was too worried about you to sleep."

"It was just a twenty four hour thing. I'm okay now, but Doc says we need to stay until tomorrow night just to be sure."

"Well, I don't know about you but I need to go to the bathroom."

Doc spoke up. "I think we should all go together, that way there will be less traffic coming to and from."

I had gone when I finished eating but I needed to go again. We all donned surgical masks and went as a group to the bathing room.

The following day, we were all getting antsy stuck in that room together. We all wanted to take baths. Sharon wanted Doc back and Kyle was about to take his chances getting shot by Jeb to get to Sunny. Ian and I just wanted to be alone. During our time stuck in the room we refrained from kissing for two reasons. First we hadn't brushed our teeth in two days and we didn't want to be rude by showing public displays of affection in front of the others.

At six PM, Doc finally announced that the quarantine was over and everyone bolted out of the room like wild animals set free.

Ian held my hand. "If we move fast we can beat the rest of them to the bathing room."

We ran to our room and someone had set up the new bed. It stopped us in our tracks. It was beautiful. No more falling to our knees to get into bed.

Ian stood staring at the bed. "You did this for me?"

"I did it for us. It's our new beginning."

"Oh, Babydoll." He shook his head. He cradled my face in his hands and brushed his thumbs gently along my cheeks. "You are too good to me."

"Happy Birthday," I whispered.

"I love you," he whispered back. He leaned in and gave me a gentle kiss.

Suddenly, I remembered our mission. "The bathing room! We need to hurry."

We each grabbed clothes and towels and we were off at a jog to the bathing room.

Candy beat us there. She had no love to greet her so she was able to move swiftly without interruption.

When it was our turn to bath we were adamant that no matter how much we wanted each other, we would respect that others would be waiting to use the tub. We bathed and brushed and got dressed quickly.

On the way back to the room as we passed through the main cavern, I saw a sign on our garden. It said 'Field of Dreams'. I turned to Ian.

"Did you do this?" I asked.

He grinned. "I did it for us."

I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I'm so happy."

He spoke barely above a whisper. "So am I." He pressed his lips to mine and I melted in his arms. He picked me up and carried me to the new loveseat and put me down. He sat next to me and we kissed for a very long time like two teenagers that were parked on 'Lover's Lane'. He respected that I couldn't make love to him but he was very romantic and gentle.

Before we retired for the night, we visited Maggie and Tom who were hanging out with Kyle in the kitchen while Sunny bathed. They were all happy to see that I was well.

The rest of the week was like a fairy tale. Ian and I couldn't have been happier.