Chapter 2

The silence in the room lasted for seconds that seemed like hours. What had just happened? Was it a joke? Both detectives were frozen in time, no words, no glances, nor movements. After some moments Laura left the INS papers on the desk and walked a step toward a chair to sat down, her gaze still lost in nowhere. Mr. Steele remained standing.

"I can't believe what just happened," said Laura almost in a whisper; her eyes focused nowhere in particular.

Mr. Steele put his hands down on the desk, trying to lean there the hard weight he was feeling on his shoulders. After closing his eyes, he let out a heavy sigh. He was speechless.

Laura noticed his gesture, but she couldn't say anything as well. Estelle Becker's words were still bouncing in the air. He should find a solution in the next 24 hours, or he will have to leave the country. If he decided to stay continuing with his irregular situation in the USA, he would end in jail after a brief procedure.

"I suppose only one of the options is the acceptable one to take," said Laura in a barely audible voice, after exhaling a deep sigh, still looking to nowhere.

He raised his face to find her eyes, not sure of which one of the options was the one she was talking about. It was clear his idea was to remain in the US soil, but he wasn't going to be the one suggesting a sudden marriage as a solution. That should be Laura's decision. He was aware that she respected the marriage institution, but wasn't particularly partial to practice it herself. The seconds waiting for her next words were hurting him like an eternity in hell suffering her absence.

She was again in silence with her eyes focused on nothing in particular. The possibility of sealing their commitment over a marriage license felt like a shadow hanging over their relationship after her parents failing experience. But the chance of living her life without him was not only a shadow, but it was also clearly hell. The thought of losing him again was unbearable. She wasn't going to let that happen. Sometimes all you have is the moment, and if you don't take it, then is gone forever. Noticing there weren't any words ready to leave his mouth; she asked him, "What do you think?"

"It's your decision, Laura. I don't want to leave. You know that. I love you."

"If it is marriage we are talking about. Then it's not mine or yours. It's our decision, Mr. Steele. I don't want you to leave either. I love you too, you know?" she ended her statement finally turning up her lips up in a sweet smile.

Once he returned her the smile, she stood up from the chair and was in his arms in one step, holding him as close as she could, just to put away the idea about an inch of separation between the two of them. He returned her embrace with equal intensity. They remained in that position for a long time; sharing for the first time in their whole relationship, the reality about a forever together.

"You know Laura, you are sure you are with the right person when no matter how bad things get, you'd still rather be with the other than anywhere else. No matter how long we have been together, I always want more time. I want one more day with you, every day."

After sweetly kissing her hair, Mr. Steele asked her, "I trust you have a plan, Laura."

"I have a plan, Mr. Steele. Not mine, not yours. Our plan."

His eyes were deep blue, the love he was feeling for her at this moment was as intense as anything he had ever felt before.

He kissed her pulling their bodies together as close as possible. Behind was the unbearable idea of being apart. Behind were the fears both of them had felt about their future. They would have to fight a final battle to link their paths together indefinitely. But they will have their forever after all.