"I can't believe that you are here." MiraBeth whispered into Roman's chest.
"Where else would I be? You needed me." She felt the words rumble through his chest more than she heard them, he spoke so softly. He gently caressed her arms and back as he held her with just the right amount of pressure. She felt reassured but not suffocated. It was a delicate balance, but Roman achieved it with ease.
"How did you know? I didn't tell you. I pushed you away. I hung up on you." Her words came out in a whimper.
"Baby, baby…That's how I knew…" Roman tucked one finger under her chin and lifted her face to look at his. MiraBeth closed her eyes so she wouldn't have to look at him. "Mira, honey, look at me." He felt her draw a trembling breath. Roman slid his thumb across her chin, just skimming her lower lip. "Open your eyes. Look at me." MiraBeth's eyes fluttered open as she tried to meet Roman's gaze. "Just look at me and listen." He continually rubbed her chin and let his thumb periodically make contact with her lip as he spoke. He kept his tone even and low. "I have seen you methodically approach a mystery, taking apart clue by clue until you found the perps and Vince. I watched you handle untenable situations with men who were much larger than you with ease and no sign of discomfort. I know how we have approached our relationship, the steps we have taken to get to know each other with the demands of our careers. At no point in any of that have you acted the way you did on the phone. It was so out of character, so not you. I know I don't know everything about you. There are still growing pains that we will encounter. But I know your happy voice. I know your okay voice. I know your stressed voice. I know your p*ssed off voice. I also know that what I heard wasn't any of those." Roman shifted and held her head more firmly. "I had to be with you, to hold you, to let you know you weren't alone. I can't make it okay. But I can be here with you."
"No one can make it okay. No one can ever make it okay." Tears began leaking down MiraBeth's cheeks.
"I wouldn't dream of telling you I could. Just know if you want to talk I am here. If you don't want to, I am here. I'm not going anywhere, Mira. You don't have to be strong for me. Not this time. A relationship is give and take, hon. This is my time to give and your time to take. There will come a time when the tables are turned and you will be able to handle it. For now, though…" MiraBeth curled into his arms and chest. Roman held her as she cried quietly.
The next time MiraBeth awoke it was to the smell of food. "You need to eat a little, babe." When she leaned forward, Roman slid behind her and pulled her against his chest. He balanced the plate on her knees and fed her the finger foods one bite at a time.
"Ro…"
"Keep eating, Mira." he whispered. She licked his finger, drawing a groan. "Careful…" he drew out in a deep and gravelly voice.
"I am done eating, Roman." MiraBeth whispered, pushing the plate away. "And I am tired of fighting the memories alone. Help me forget for a little while." She turned and pressed her face against his neck. "Just for a little while." Her tongue ran up his neck to his ear. "Please."
Roman groaned and grasped her waist. "You win."