a/n: I have struggled with this chapter, and I am not exactly sure about it. I hope it does not disappoint.

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He had not heard her move back into the room, and she smiled at the site of him stretched out on the couch, completely at ease. Allowing her eyes to move over him, she quietly realized how handsome he was. It was not the same type of physique that Bobby had, but it nevertheless made her heart skip a beat. She smiled as she took in his sleeveless t-shirt, knowing that it was a sign he was completely comfortable with her now. There was a smile playing on his face, and she wondered what he was thinking about.

On her mind at the moment was what had been on it since this morning at church. Her little boy had called him 'Daddy'. The cutting guilt of actually being happy about that had started to vanish. After the talk they had this afternoon, she was beginning to like the name for Myles more and more. There was no doubt, seeing them together, that Myles did indeed love her son, and Samuel loved him. More than that, Tara loved him, and without a doubt, he loved her.

Deciding to share with him what she was thinking, rather than just standing there looking at him, she walked closer to him. When he still did not open his eyes, she leaned over, placing her lips on his. Slowly, she felt him respond to her touch. Sliding his body over slightly, he pulled her beside him, deepening the kiss. There bodies meshed together, as there was little room on the couch, causing a fire to ignite in both of them. Feeling a need rising up in her, she clung to him, kissing him with a passion that was matched by his own. Her hands found the bottom of his shirt, and she allowed her fingers to travel on the bare skin of his back. Feeling him respond to her touch, she suddenly pulled back. Their breathing was jagged, and the look in his eyes was one of desire and frustration.

"I can't do this much more, Tara. I love you so much." He pulled himself into a seated position, obviously still trying to get a hold of his emotions. Looking her square in the eye he told her the truth. "Right now, all I want to do is take you into my room and make love to you."

"Me too. But we both know that isn't right." Sitting beside him, she held his hand. "You think I should go to a hotel tonight. Would that be easier?"

"No. I would want to follow you there." He smiled slightly. "Tara, I don't want you to leave tonight, or tomorrow or ever. Just thinking about it makes me crazy. More than anything in my life, I want to spend my days with you and Samuel. I want to hold you in my arms at night." Tara watched as his eyes filled with tears and the sincerity of his words overwhelmed them both. "When you leave tomorrow, you will take with you my heart."

"Myles, I don't want to leave tomorrow. I feel like I am being torn in two. " The admission was not news to her, and she was sure he knew it too, but she couldn't stop the heat from rising to her cheeks. When she raised her eyes to meet his, she saw a new determination on his face.

"Tara, I just want you to know that I love every thing about you. You have an extraordinary mind, the biggest heart of anyone I know. You are a fantastic mother, and a great friend. You are beautiful, loving, and everything I have ever wanted in a woman, plus so much more. It is as if you have come along and have given me a piece of my heart that I never really had before. And then there is Samuel," he paused looking towards the door to the guest room "I could not love him more if he were my own flesh and blood. He is the most amazing child I have ever been around, and I love every minute that I spend with the two of you." Reaching over, he kissed her lightly. She could feel him restraining himself from deepening the kiss. His hands moved to cover both of hers as he looked deep into her eyes, as if he were trying to see to her deepest soul.

"My sweet Tara. I had planned to do this later. In my mind I had a great romantic moment, but I can not wait. Before you go home tomorrow, I have to ask you. Will you marry me? I know it is sudden, and that there are logistics we will have to work out. I don't have a ring, but I will remedy that tomorrow if you say yes. I know we will need to ask Samuel---"

Seeing that he was blubbering, she decided to get his attention. Moving her hands from his, she placed them on the back of his head. Pulling his head towards hers, she gave him a kiss that rendered him speechless, just as she had hoped.

"Do I have your attention?" He nodded slowly. "Good. Then I can say Yes. I will marry you. I love you too. I don't care about logistics…I would move here tomorrow to be with you." Without thinking, she moved her hands to his chest, tracing small circles as she talked. "As for Samuel, I don't think you will have a problem getting a yes from him. He loves you too. He has never warmed up to anyone the way he has you." She stopped talking when he moaned, and laid his hand over hers.

"You know you make me crazy!" He smiled though his tone was filled with a passion that she knew he was trying hard to keep under the surface.

"Tell you what. Let's not make this engagement too long."

"Tomorrow's good for me." A grin spread across his face, and for a minute she started to tell him tomorrow was good for her too.

"I love you Myles." Kissing him again, they both settled back in each others arms, soon falling asleep together.