Part 13:

I arrived home and a part of me expected to see her there, waiting for me. I was disappointed when I realized she's never going to be. Though I know she's gone, it's still surprising. I went upstairs and headed to the bedroom. I slowly removed my clothes and slipped on the robe. Then I walked towards the bathroom to take a nice and long shower. As the water began to fall and reach me I remembered that day in a trip we made. That was the only time I was glad we fought.

I was sitting on the bench at the balcony in the hotel we were staying. She was laying against my chest and I was caressing her hair.

"So, I met Rena today."

"Oh really?" She looked a little annoyed.

"Yeah." I noticed she was angry at this and looked at her, "What's it?"

"Nothing." She stood up and walked away.

"Abby." I stood and followed her.

"Look... I don't want to talk now. I'll go for a walk."

I grabbed her arm, trying to stop her. "Baby..."

"John please."

She jerked my arm away and left. I walked out to the balcony and yelled at her.

"You can run but you can't hide."

She just kept walking, not looking back at me. An hour later, I went to fresh up in the waterfall. It was a beautiful place. As I was getting closer I became amused by her. Her face. Her body. Seeing her in that red bikini made me want to touch her soft skin. Seeing her under the fall, running her hands through her hair made me want to join her and have her in my arms. I carefully got in the water and walked behind her. I slowly put my hands around her waist. It startled her. Slowly I turned her to face me. Both of us were wet and the desire filling us couldn't be controlled anymore. Neither of us wanted to stop the urge to kiss the other – well, I didn't. I'm sure that, even in the bad fights, she melted when I approached her like that. All the time. That was what made me continue touching her. And without realizing it, our lips locked in a deep, passionate, long kiss.

"I'm sorry." I said as we pulled away from each other.

"So you met Rena?" She looked away.

"It's not what you think."

"Oh really?", She bit her lower lip to contain the tears.

I was getting mad – and feeling guilty. I put my hand on her chin and brought it back so we could face each other.

"It's not what you think. It was a casual date."

"Date?", She asked with annoyance.

"Abby, I didn't cheat on you."

"You two broke up for me. And now you're breaking up with me for her", She let go of my arms and walked away.

"Is this what it's all about?", I instinticvely grabbed her by the arm.

"Yes!"

"Who says I'm in love with her? And who says I'm breaking up with you?"

She stood there, not able to answer.

"Rena and I broke up because I was in love with you. I am in love with you. And it won't be easy to let go. I don't want to let go."

"Whatever Carter."

She must have been pretty mad to call me Carter. She always called me John. Said it was a beautiful name. Her arm was slipping away from my hand so I held it tighter.

"Let me go please."

"No."

"Carter! Let me go!"

"I don't want to! I want you to stay here!"

"Carter!" Tears began to form in her eyes. "Let me go. I'm begging you. I can't deal with this right now. Don't want to."

She pulled my hand away from her arm and moved to go to the hotel. I just stood there, watching the love of my life walking away. And I was the one to blame. I could hear her sobbings. She was devasted – and jealous. I could have chased her and forced her to talk. But I didn't want to push things. It'd only be worse. I needed to find a way to win her – and her heart – again... forever. Half an hour later I went back to the hotel. After closing the room door I turned around and saw her laying in the bed. Her robe was open. I noticed she was wearing the underwear I like most. Well, she decided to give me – us – a chance. I stared at her. She was sleeping peacefully. She looked so pretty. She was pretty. I slowly and carefully moved to lay next to her. Fortunately, the noise the bed made when I was climbing over it made her wake up. I'd hate to do that.

"Hi." I raised my hand and put it on her face. Then I started caressing her.

"How long ha-"

I led my mouth to meet hers to make her stop talking. I believe she enjoyed it because she kissed me back. We kissed for several long minutes. We pulled away to breathe again.

"I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize."

"I didn't mean to -"

"John, I said it's okay."

She looked at me with a lovely face and I knew it was fine. I cupped her face with my hands and kissed her again. I felt her hands on my neck and soon I was on top of her. Kisses became deeper, more passionate and longer now. She was slipping off my t-shirt and I was slipping off her blue robe. An hour later, I was staring at her and curling her hair.

"I love you. I love you."

"I love you too"

"Still mad?"

"I just called you John."

"I know."

"Oh you know me too well."

"Of course." I smiled.

"You have that look."

"What look?"

"A I'm-so-in-love look."

"Oh. I am in love. With a woman who's staring at me."

She smiled happily.

"I'm in love with you John. You're the most special man I've ever known."

I smiled widely. She giggled. My head moved towards her and so did hers and our lips met in a long and passionate kiss. A kiss to show and prove how in love we were with each other.

I leaned against the dark green wall of my bathroom and sighed.