Night time had fallen over the park and the stars were twinkling overheard while the moon sat fat and full in the corner of the sky, watching us. It had been a while since I actually saw stars and the moon really. L.A. Was more about smog and so many lights it made the stars pale in comparison.

So here I was, leaning with my back against the rough bark of a tree, staring at the stars and listening to the live band that had sat up earlier.

Rusty and Jenn had long since taken the kids back to the hotel. Ashleigh and her friend Calvin were dancing slowly on the improvised dance floor. And I had lost Will hours ago. I had no idea where he took off too, but I hadn't seen him.

I was just contemplating getting to my feet and heading home when I felt someone flop down beside me. And I knew who it was without even having to glance in his direction. The smell of his cologne hit me at once. God, how I missed that smell.

" Whatcha doin' sitting here all alone in the dark. " Cappie asked as he nudged my knee with his.

I tossed him a smile. " I'm looking at the stars. I miss the stars. "

" I missed the stars, too. The last time I paid them any attention was my last night here. " He mused.

" I remember. They were beautiful that night. "

I felt his hand close over mine and my stomach lunged at the contact. He was so warm still.

" You were beautiful that night. " His breath skirted over my shoulder and up the side of my neck and I hiccuped as my lungs refused to work for a moment. " I think everything was beautiful that night. "

" Yeah, it was. It was the perfect goodbye. " I managed though I was swallowing my tongue.

He moved away from me and cleared his throat, obviously trying to get himself under control and it gave me the opportunity to do the same thankfully.

" So, you and Will, huh ? How did that happen ? "

" We work together. I met him in design school. " I answered. " We haven't been apart since. It just works, I guess. "

Cappie chuckled. " I'm really sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, Case. " My heart jumped at the sound of his nickname for me. It has been so very long since I heard him say it. " But something tells me this isn't going to be as much of a shock as it should be. "

I turned my eyes to his, studying his face. Did he know about Zach ? Fear raced through me instantly, turning my blood to ice.

" Your fiance was been hiding in the woods with Heath Turner for the last couple of hours. " He whispered in my ear. " I think he might be gay. "

I was mortified and wanted nothing more than to crawl under the nearest biggest rock and hide for the rest of my life.

" Now, don't go looking like that. " He smiled at me, as he patted my knee which I had drawn up to my chest. " I'm sure he was going to tell you himself before the wedding. "

He was teasing me, mocking me. I tried to get to my feet, but he stopped me by refusing to move his hand from my leg. " Don't go. "

I looked at him and I saw that all the merriment was gone from his face. " I'm sorry. I shouldn't have teased you. I just don't understand. Why would you lie to all of us about getting married ? "

" I didn't lie to everyone. Asheigh and Rusty and Jenn all know that he's just my partner. "

A frown furrowed his brow and he dropped his eyes to the ground. " So it was really just me you lied to. You brought him here to let me know that you weren't available. "

" That isn't why I did it. " I protested but we both knew it was.

" Why are you always running away from me ? " he demanded as he pulled back and looked at me with intense eyes. " What do you find so repulsive about me that you would lie to keep me away from you ? Am I that terrible ? "

My breath caught in my chest. And I felt my eyes water. " Of course not, Cappie. I have never found you the least bit repulsive, which is why I lied. I needed a buffer. " I tried to explain.

" A buffer. " His voice was low and quiet now. " You needed a buffer so I wouldn't just come up to you and do this - "

He was on me before I realized what was happening and I found myself clinging to him desperately, holding him against me, refusing to let him go, not that he was trying. His hands started out cupping my face but soon they were tangled in my hair as his lips plundered mine for what seemed an eternity. I completely forgot how to breath in those all to brief moments. I forgot how to think as well. All that existed for me was him and the feelings he was creating throughout my body.

When he finally, reluctantly pulled away it was with a smug satisfied smile. " See, now then, that didn't hurt at all. "

I stared at him for a long time, just looking at his face that hadn't seemed to age.

" Well, say something. " he teased as the smile began to slip from his lips.

I couldn't say anything though. I was totally incapable of speaking. All I could think of was how much I needed him to still be kissing me, still be holding me. So I answered him the only way I could. I grabbed the lapels of his jacket and pulled him back to me.

My hand was pressed against his chest and I could feel the rapid rhythm of his heartbeat matching my own. Suddenly I didn't want to be out in the open in the middle of the park. I wanted to be somewhere dim and quiet and most of all devoid of everyone but him.

I pulled away long enough to tell him that but all that actually came out was, " Get me out of here. "

It was the longest car ride of my life. I kept glancing over at him as his eyes stayed glued to the road in front of him. His hand rested on my leg, like once again, he was afraid if he didn't hold me down, I would fly away. But this time I wasn't going anywhere. I knew what I wanted and it was him. It had always been him. I was stupid for not admitting it sooner. I was an idiot for letting him go like I had. One word from me that night all those years ago and I could have shared the last ten years with him. The two of us raising Zach the way it should have been. I couldn't explain why the thought of that terrified me so much. Was I so selfish that I couldn't share my son with his father ? Was that what kept me from telling him about Zach years ago ?

No, I knew why I hadn't told him. I hadn't told him because he wasn't ready to be a father then. Was he now ? Should I tell him the truth now ? And could I take it if he ran away screaming from the thought of fatherhood ?

His hand slipped a little further up my thigh and he squeezed it lightly as he pulled into the hotel parking lot. I glanced into his face and the look of complete concentration I saw there caught me off guard.

It was with a measured calmness that he parked the car, came around to my door and helped me out, then took my hand as we made our way up the stairs to his room. He didn't say a word, make a sound or even look at me.

I was almost alarmed by his behavior. I had never seen him act that way before. Then he stopped outside his room and turned to me, still with utter calmness.

" I have to know before we go inside, is this going to just be another trip down memory lane for us, another goodbye ? Because I can't do this if it is. We have to stop here and I'll walk you to your room and say goodnight. " He paused and reached a shaking hand up to brush the hair from my shoulder. " I just can't take you walking away from me again, Casey. "

I considered his words carefully. Was I willing to put myself out there once again with him ? Was it our time finally ? Could we manage to get it right after all these years ? I had to know if he was ready to accept all of me and everything that I brought along.

" Are you sure you want me now ? It's not just me anymore. I come with attachments now. " I asked in a choked voice, dreading his answer.

He smiled, to my surprise and it threw me off balance. " You mean Will ? I think I can accept Will. He seems like a nice guy. "

I batted his shoulder, but somehow this time I wasn't angry at him like I usually was when he tried to make a joke to lighten a heavy situation. Perhaps we had both grown up a little.

" You know what I mean. " I told him.

" Oh, Zach. I'm betting Zach and I will get along great together. I'm looking forward to getting to know him. " His voice dropped to almost a whisper. " After all, we have so much in common, and he's such a bog guy for an eight year old. "

He knew.