Chapter 8

"WOW! That means I'm half way there. If I had the bed I could go ahead and move in," Krystal said almost jumping up and down in the chair. "Oops, I forgot the vehicle."

"You could use one of mine, till you get yourself one, or I could drop you at JAG on my way to the Pentagon every morning, it is right on the way!" Tom told her.

"That would work unless I was called out on an investigation. Then I would need to get a hold of you to say I was going to be out of town, the state, or even the country," she sighed. "It would be nice to stay put for a while, I'm getting tried of traveling and seeing the world. Might be different if I could take my time and enjoy it. Also, pick the places I was going."

"But even if you are sent out on investigations, you wouldn't be gone for long periods at a time, and would always be coming home," he smiled at that thought

"Home, such a wonderful thought. I haven't had a real home since I was twelve years old. I like the sound of that," she said thoughtfully, looking over at him. "And someone to come home to."

"I'll always be there...well I mean just across the way in the house, if you should need me I mean."

"I wouldn't want to intrude on a date or anything. I promise to be careful and not make a nuisance of myself," she promised him faithfully. "I will only come when invited."

"I don't date, Krystal, the woman I love doesn't have a clue I have feelings for her."

"Tom! Why don't you go out and sweep her off her feet? Tell her how you feel!" she demanded
wondering why she was giving him this advice, when if he did what she suggested, she would lose him forever. "You never know how she feels until you take that leap of faith."

"Because I'm ol...seasoned, and bald and she is young, and beautiful!" he sighed.

"Don't you realize that true love knows no age?" she reached and gently touched his hand. "Tell her Tom. Who knows she may feel the same way and is too shy to tell you. All women aren't free with their love, nor do they confess it that easily. Some are just too afraid of losing their hearts to rejection."

"So I should just do what? Take her to dinner? Send her flowers? Just come out and tell her? How would you want a man to tell you something like that?" he pleaded.

"I would just love to hear the words coming from his mouth right before he kissed me," she signed. "But I know I'll never get married so don't go by me."

"So, you would just want him to say, Krystal Kennex, I love you and have for ten years now...and then kiss you? That would be all you would need, to love him back?"

"Tom, all any woman wants to hear is the truth...what did you just say?" she asked in shock. "You were just practicing on me right?"

He took a deep breath, and asked as he stared intently into her eyes, "And if I wasn't?"

"Don't play with my feelings please Tom. This is something too important and special to a woman, then just to be thrown out over bread and cheese," she whispered, dropping her head so he couldn't see the tears shinning in her eyes. "If you would point out the restroom, I'd appreciate it."

He looked at her and with hope in his heart, he went down on one knee next to her at the table, "I love you Krystal Kennex and I have for ten years!" then he took her face gently in his hands and kissed her as he had wanted to do so many times in the past.

His kiss left her trembling and with more than tears shining in her eyes. "Tom! You really mean you love me! Oh, my darling, I've loved you from the first moment I laid eyes on you," she said caressing his cheek. "Why, didn't you say something? Give me some idea that you cared?"

To be continued…