Ch 5
A\N. Hey guys, I know it's been a while, but I'm trying to keep it going. Work has gotten in the way for a while, but luckily/unluckily I'm off for a week, so I'm going to try to write some more this week. The last chapter just didn't feel complete to me, so this takes place directly after the last one. It's going to be pretty sappy, so bare with me. I hope you like it as much as I do.
Kat got up from her seat, walking across the room to the French doors. She couldn't bear to look him in the eyes.
Eli hung his head in defeat, not believing that she said it to him yet again, "You're not ready."
"I'm sorry, but I'm not." She said looking out, unconsciously wrapping her arms around herself.
Eli got up and walked over to her, stopping behind her, "Kat I'm not asking you to marry me. I'm only asking you for a chance."
Kat shook her head, not saying a word. Eli, afraid of upsetting her more, didn't move, didn't say anything, until he saw her tears in the reflection of the glass. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder, unsure of what to do. The tears silently rolling down her cheeks made his heart break. He'd never seen her like this, scared, broken. He couldn't help himself any longer; he pulled her into an embrace letting her cry into his shirt. After a moment she raised her head looking up into his eyes. He stroked her cheek, gently saying, "Please Kat, just give me a chance."
Kat searched his eyes, seeing something she'd never seen there before. Something she could only hope would make this time different. She smiled slightly, feeling that she could trust him she leaned in, gently touching her lips to his in a chaste kiss. He was momentarily taken aback. He couldn't believe that she was actually kissing him, and he instantly responded to her, deepening the kiss. She felt a rush of excitement and happiness flood through her as she felt him respond. He didn't want to take it too far, so he backed away after a minute.
Kat laid her head back on his shoulder, reveling in the feeling of being in his arms. Eli brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead. After a moment he finally asked the question he'd wanted to for some time, "Kat, what happened?"
Kat sighed, looking up at him. He could see the fear in her eyes, but he hoped that she could get past it. She looked down biting her lip nervously for a moment, and then started her story, "Last year… was a hard year for me."
After telling Eli the same story she'd told Gillian and Ria a few weeks ago she was afraid to look back up at him, unsure of what she'd see when she did. Knowing how hard it must have been for her to tell him everything he was truly amazed by her honesty. He saw that she still hadn't looked him in the eyes since the beginning of the story and was starting to worry. He placed his hand underneath her chin, making her look at him. "Thank you," He whispered gently, kissing her again.
"I know I've never had a… relationship before, but do you know now why it's so hard for me?" She asked burying her head back into his neck.
"I do and I don't want to pressure you into anything, but I'm still not going to stop asking you." He said with a slight smile.
She looked up again, catching the smile on his lips, "Ok how about this, I'll go out with you… but not until Gillian and Cal's wedding."
He nodded, "So I'll be your date for the wedding."
"Exactly, that will give me a little time, and you still get what you want." She smiled up at him.
"I can handle that." He said kissing her again.
Suddenly they heard a door open and Pete stumbled out in his pajamas, "Kat… I can't sleep."
Kat looks up at Eli again, he nods and walks towards the door, "I'll see you in the morning."
She smiles, "Can't wait," and then turns to Pete, "Come on Buddy, let's get you to sleep."
