Disclaimer: "Existence would be intolerable if we were never to dream." Anatole France. Therefore, I continue the dream, if only to exist.

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16

Room service had come to clean up the dinner mess and had brought coffee and dessert. He'd ditched his jacket and tie, but even with no shoes she still looked slightly uncomfortable curled up on the couch in her dress. Before he realized what he was saying, "There are robes in the bathroom if you'd like to change."

With a smirk, "Are we planning on staying a while?"

He blushed, "Uh, I think I'll leave that up to you. There are two bedrooms, so if you'd like to spend the night then we certainly can. If you'd rather, I can take you home whenever you're ready."

Without a word, she rose and walked toward the bathroom. When she emerged wearing a robe and slippers, his pulse raced. Did this mean she wanted to stay? He hoped so. The thought of leaving her tonight made his heart ache. He raised an eyebrow when she curled back up on the couch. "I'd like to stay."

With a huge smile, "Me too." He toed off his shoes and removed his dress shirt and belt, glad that he was careful to choose a white undershirt without any holes in it. He held out his arms to her, "Can I hold you?" She moved towards him and he gathered her into his arms and onto his lap. With his head rested on hers, "I missed this. I know this isn't the same as dancing in the rain or having my arm around your waist when we walked or around your shoulders when we watched that movie, but I just missed holding you."

"Mmm, that was the best movie I've ever seen."

"Really? I didn't think you liked silent films."

"I don't."

"Then how was it your favorite?"

"I didn't say the movie was my favorite. In fact, I don't even remember the movie at all. I just said that it was the best movie I'd ever seen. It was my best experience seeing a movie. It was more about the company than the movie."

"It was called The Love Flower. But thank you for the compliment."

"You're welcome."

"We had so many good times, Sara. Why did I let that go?"

"Because you were scared. It's okay to be scared, Griss. You have to stop beating yourself up over that. Besides, we're here now."

He squeezed her tighter and without thinking, "I love you."

She pulled back from him and looked into his eyes with a questioning look. Then, after a smile, "I love you, too." She snuggled back into his arms and after a few silent minutes, "Are you okay?"

Had he really just said that? What was he thinking? He wasn't; that was the point. 'Don't think, just follow your heart,' he told himself. "Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm okay. I love you, Sara. I've always loved you. I was just too scared to show it until now. You always seem to know the right thing to say to me at just the right moment." He lifted her chin with his finger and drew her lips to his. All of their passion came out in this one kiss that was filled with all the pent-up love they'd held back for all these years. Her arms snaked around his neck and he groaned as she ran her fingers through the curls at his neck. His lips left hers and trailed down her beautiful neck. She wiggled on his lap when he pushed the robe off her shoulder and attacked it with his tongue.

He was lost in her when he heard his name in a breathless whisper, "Griss?"

After reluctantly pulling back, he cupped her face in his hands, whispering back, "What?"

"We, uh, we have to stop."

She expected an argument, but was shocked when he curled her back up into his arms with, "Okay."

"Don't you want to know why?"

"You want to stop, Sara. That's all I need to know. I don't want to do anything you aren't ready for."

She pushed back slightly so she could see his face, "I didn't say I wasn't ready. There's just something we need to talk about."

"Okay."

"This is a little weird for me. I've never had to tell anyone this before. It's silly, really. I'm, uh, I'm not on birth control. I've tried all kinds, but they all make me violently ill."

"And I'll admit that I didn't plan on this, so…"

"So…can I sleep with you?"

He stood, with her in his arms, and lightening the mood, "As long as you keep that robe on."

"Deal."

Once they were under the covers, he pulled her as close to him as possible, with her back against his chest and kissed her exposed neck.

"Good night, Gris."

"Good night, Hun."