A/N: Hi, remember me? I used to come here often. :p Sorry for the lack of updates. I got a new job recently and had to move far away. I know that still doesn't excuse the months before that! I have a lot started, but nothing seems to get finished. However this fic is finished so it's long over due that I get back to posting! I do appreciate all the "favorites," reviews, and PMs that have been coming through during my absence. This one goes out to "Random-ju-user" for the recent "poking."

Happy New Year!

Chapter 48 Day 40, continued

I get back out to her family and friends. All eyes are on me.

"Uhh, she's fine. Just…she's been battling a stomach virus and sometimes eating too much makes her ill…but with all this great food, it's hard to pass it all up. I think she just…over indulged…I know I did," I say as I pat my stomach. "Everything was excellent Gram."

"Spasiba Jason." She then says something in Russian. I'm assuming she's explaining to them what I just said. My suspicions are confirmed when she pats my stomach, just like I did and the non-English speaking members of the crowd laugh at her translation.

"Jason, will you help me put the blini away so that it is gone when Linka comes back?"

"Yeah, of course."

She hands me a stack of smaller plates to put the blini on. Once I have a plate filled, she takes it and puts the plastic wrap over it.

"Thank you for taking care of Linka," she says quietly so the others don't hear.

"No need to thank me. It's my pleasure." I put my arm around her shoulder and kiss her temple. "And I meant what I said. Everything was excellent. I might have to take you back to Hope Island with us so you can cook for me all the time!"

"Just you? Do you not have other team mates?"

"Yeah, but who cares about them. I ain't sharin' you!"

She playfully swats my chest.

"You are such a charmer…just like my Sergei…unfortunately I do not think an old woman like me would fit in on a tropical island. Besides, Linka would not be nearly as affectionate if I were around."

"You're right…and she'd probably be jealous," I say.

"Jealous?"

"Yeah, she doesn't like it when I give other women attention…and if you're the one keeping me fed…well, you'd have my undivided attention!"

She laughs loudly.

"Oh Jason Wheeler!" She exclaims as she wipes the corners of her eyes. "Thank you."

"You're welcome…for what?"

"For making me laugh. I did not think I could on a day like today when my heart is so heavy."

Oh, right…dead grandson.

"I'm sorry. I'm behaving inappropriately. I shouldn't be joking on such a serious occasion," I apologize.

"Nyet, do not be. Boris was always laughing…always happy. There should be laughter at the dinner honoring him."

"Yeah…I'm sure he wouldn't want you to be sad."

"Well, since I cannot come to Hope Island because Linka could not handle the competition, I will let you in on a secret…most of the dishes here, she knows how to make. You put her in charge of dinner some night and make your requests."

I laugh and shake my head.

"Telling Linka what to do has never worked very well for me in the past. I find that subtlety works best on her…or letting her think it was her own idea. Maybe I'll be like 'Do you think you can get that recipe for the Pelmini from Gram for me? Maybe the next time I go home, I can talk my Ma into making it' and then Linka will surprise me and make it."

"You certainly know how to work her!" She chuckles.

Oops, maybe I came across as being too manipulative?

"Uh, nah. I was only kidding. She'd never fall for that. She's too smart…as a matter of fact, she would probably yell at me for expecting my mother to make it for me! She would be like 'Here is the recipe…make it yourself, you lazy Yankee!'"

"Now that sounds more like Linka…always bossy!"

We have all the blini packed away and head back to the table. Linka has re-entered the dining area and looks around. Once her eyes meet mine, I give her a look that asks if she's ok. Her smile lets me know that she will be fine. She apologizes to her grandmother and uncle for the disruption and everything goes back to normal.

The rest of the meal is uneventful. Linka picks at her food, but she's making an effort at least. Father Koslov and the other guests leave, and Dmitri immediately goes to his room. Can't say that I blame him. This has been a long day and probably really hard for him to go through. It would be easier if he would let Linka grieve with him. He feels alone, but he's not. I wish he would stop being so stubborn and quit shutting Linka out. I have to admit though; he doesn't seem AS bad as he was the last time.

I look at Linka and smile, relieved that this day is over.

"Well Babe, what now?"

"Now we clear up."

I groan loudly, for dramatic affect. I'm not really protesting. I knew this would come next. And it receives the desired result…Gram and Linka laugh.

"Come on Yankee Doodle, time to work off some of that food you put away," she teases, patting my belly. I try to grab her, but she dodges me just in time. "Behave! Help me clear the table."

I do as she says, but when I return for a second stack of plates, I see Linka and Gram just standing there…Gram smiling, and Linka's cheeks and neck are a bright red as she stares at the floor. Must've missed something good!

"Hey, am I the only one doing any work here?"

"Nyet, we are coming Wheeler!"

Whoa, that was a little harsh. She knows I was only joking right? Even Gram seems shocked by it, so at least I know I'm not imaging things.

"I did not mean to snap, it has been a long day."

"You wanna go lie down?" I ask.

I want to hug her. I just want to go to her and comfort her and let her know that it's all ok. She's still allowed to have mood swings.

"Nyet. I am not that tired, I will just be glad when all the work is done and we can relax."

"Me too," I am not ashamed to admit.

"Maybe you can start washing the dishes while Grandmuska and I finish clearing the table."

"Yeah. Ok."

Was that her way of getting away from me?

After a few more trips, Linka announces that these are the last of the dishes and then suggests to Gram that she go rest and the two of us will finish up. Having the chance to be alone with her both thrills me and scares me. She sets a stack of dishes down next to me, but I avoid eye contact, focusing on the task she has given me, scrubbing the dishes…it's like I'm waiting for her permission for things to go back to normal between us. Permission is granted when she stands behind me, wraps her arms around me, rests her head between my shoulder blades, and apologizes.

Phew, that's a relief.

I dry my hands and turn in her arms to face her, hugging her to me.

I press my lips to her head and whisper,

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she lies, holding me tighter. "I just needed a cuddle."

I have to laugh at that…Linka saying she needed to "cuddle." She's never struck me as the "cuddle" type. Not before anyway. Not the old Linka. I lean back against the sink and pull her with me. It's very much a "couple's" action."

"You could have said so, I don't think Gram would mind."

As a matter of fact, I know she wouldn't mind. Gram is our biggest fan.

"Our work will be done soon and then we can curl up and watch a movie together."

Whoa! I didn't think Linka was ready for that yet…unless she's had similar conversations with Gram as I've had about our "relationship" and knows that Gram approves. I prod her a little, looking for clues.

"Cuddled up? In front of Gram? Are you sure you're ready for that?" I half tease, but I honestly do wonder if she'll be that close and free with her Grandmother so close.

She shrugs.

"Sitting apart will not convince her that there is nothing going on… and it is something friends can do, DA?"

No. I don't think so…I've never had a female friend that was JUST a friend. Well, that's not true…I've had female friends that I grew up with, girls that were more like sisters. We'd play basketball in the park, or hang out on the steps of the apartment building all day and trade baseball cards, and on rainy days when we'd watch TV or movies, we never cuddled. That would be weird. But it's not like that with Linka…we've been cuddling a lot lately…and we're just friends, so I guess it's true.

"Yeah, sure."

She quickly pulls away "Come on, the sooner we finish…"

"Yeah, yeah," I sigh.

The mood between us remains light. I'm telling her all about my impressions of the guests today, giving it a bit of a comedic touch so that she laughs. She's making me laugh too, explaining things to me about the people I was telling her about.

We finished up all the washing and I take over drying so that she can put everything away since she knows where it all goes.

Once all the work is done, we join Gram in the living room to find that she has fallen asleep in her chair. I sit down with Linka on the sofa and don't feel weird about cuddling since Gram was sleeping. Once she woke up though, Linka didn't even move. I guess she was too comfortable to care.

Linka must feel obligated to keep me entertained. She's translating the program for me. I could care less about what's happening on the television, I'm just more interested in spending time with her. But if she wants to talk to me, even if it's just translating the television show, I'll let her.

When Gram wakes up, she offers to make tea but refuses our offer to help, saying she needs to stretch her legs and that we'd both already done enough work today and should relax.

Linka lays her head on my chest and I ask her if she's tired.

"Da, you?" She asks as she smiles up at me.

I nod and ask,

"Want to call it a night?"

She stops smiling and says, "Nyet."

I know what she's worried about.

"You're gonna be fine. You won't have any more nightmares Babe."

She doesn't look convinced, even though she quietly says, "I know."

I'm not completely convinced that I won't have any nightmares though. And as selfish as it sounds, I know that if she doesn't have any nightmares, it means she no longer needs me. No more cozy sleeping arrangements. I guess I need to cherish this moment. I smile at her and hug her more tightly…or maybe this will only be a one night thing. I hope so.

"We can survive one night," I say, hoping that it really is only for one night.

She smiles up at me, but despite our tiredness, we still don't get up. This is too comfortable. Gram returns with her tea and something else…a photo album! She sets it on my lap and sits next to me. Linka stops leaning against me, but it's not because of her Grandma's presence, it's so she can look over at her grandmother and ask,

"Grandmuska…is that what I think it is?!"

"Da!" She says with a cheeky smile as she opens the album to the first page. "I told Wheeler when we were at your grandfather's grave that I would have to show him pictures of our family. I wanted to show him your mother so he could see the resemblance…you do not mind do you, Little Bird? This will not be too painful for you will it?"

Her tone has taken on a sudden change, as if she's worried that Linka is not emotionally stable enough to handle this. I guess the way that Linka reacted to the Blintz at dinner is still fresh in Gram's memory.

"Nyet, I do not mind…after all, it is only fair. A few weeks ago, Wheeler shared his family photo album with me," Linka reassures her Grandmother as she resumes her position against my side.

"Good…and I am sure that Wheeler will behave like a perfect gentleman when we come across any pictures of you in the bathtub!"

"Bozhe moy!" Linka groans as she buries her face in my shoulder.

I chuckle and turn my head to kiss the top of hers.

"Scout's honor…I'll be on my best behavior. We'll just call it even…tit for tat!"

I give her a squeeze and look down at her, trying my very hardest not to burst out laughing when we make eye contact and acknowledge the joke (I hope Gram isn't familiar with that particular slang term) and the fact that Linka once walked in on me just as the towel around my waist had fallen. And yes, it's true that I have seen her naked as well, under much different circumstances. I think we've both tried to push that night out of our memories. I'd much rather see baby pictures of Linka splashing in the bathtub and having fun than to think about that horrible night that I pulled her out of the tub after her failed suicide attempt. The attempt that was brought on by something I did…I made her feel like she'd be better off dead. I can feel Linka muffling her laughter against my arm. I tighten my arm around her, kiss the top of her head again, and take a deep breath as I nuzzle my nose in her hair. Gram's words bring me back to the present.

"I have been keeping albums for years…it started with my own children, and then I continued doing it with their children. Each one has their own album of pictures of mostly them…of course there are a few with cousins and siblings. Ah, here is one of Linka the day her parents brought her home from the hospital. See what I mean about her mother?"

"Yeah totally. Wow. She's beautiful."

"Da, she is…was." Linka says with a hint of sadness.

"You definitely look just like her Babe."

"Spasiba."

"I'd even go as far as saying she's the second most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

It's not just a line. Linka's mom is beautiful and Linka really does resemble her…there's just…something more about Linka…

"Who is the first?" She asks, knowing full well who I'm talking about.

"Why, Gram of course!" I tease.

Linka looks up at me, her mouth agape as she gasps. Gram laughs too. I think I've made her blush.

"But don't worry Babe, one day you'll be blessed with that family beauty."

"You are a brat!" She says as she wrinkles her nose and pokes me in the side.

I chuckle and link our arms together so she can't poke me again and pull her close so that she's leaning against my side.

"You're the brat…you know I think you're the most beautiful woman in the world, but you just HAD to hear me say it."

I was teasing her, but maybe I should have kept my mouth shut…of course she needs to hear you say it, you idiot! Ever since the Bliss…she doubts it. Quick…cover. Do what you're best at and charm her.

"Of course, I don't mind saying it…because it's the truth…and maybe I don't say it enough…or maybe you never thought I was serious when I said it…before…but it's just as true then as it is now…and I mean it just as much."

Too much?

She looks up at me and smiles, then cuddles back against me, nuzzling her cheek against my chest and squeezing my thigh where her hand rests. Nah, wasn't too much. It was just what she needed to hear. I look up and see Gram watching us with an approving smile.

We return our attention to the album and after a few pages, sure enough, there's a picture of baby Linka in the bathtub. I chuckle a little louder than necessary. She unlinks our arms so she can cover my eyes with her hand.

"Stop staring, Yankee!"

I grasp her wrist and pull her hand away.

"I'm not starin' at a naked baby! I'm not some kinda freak!" I laugh.

"Then turn the page!"

"What's your hurry? I'm just givin' Gram some time to reminisce…I'm sure it's been a while since she's looked at these old pictures of her favorite granddaughter!"

"Da, right!"

"Seriously…besides, you were too flat as a baby for me to even care about seeing you naked! OW!"

My joke earns me a smack on the thigh.

"You promised my Grandmother that you would be a gentleman!"

"No I didn't…she assumed that I would be…but I guess she doesn't know me as well as she thought!"

"You said 'Scout's honor'!" She reminds me.

"Yeah, but I was never a scout, so that means nothing!"

"You are such a jerk!" Linka says jokingly and tries to suppress her laughter.

On the other side of me, I can hear Gram laughing quietly at us.

We look through the years, Linka as a baby, then as a toddler. I can't help but notice when we reach a point of her life when her mother starts looking ill…still pretty, but she looks like she's struggling to smile for the camera…same with her dad. You could tell that they knew that these pictures were probably going to be some of the last that Linka would have with both her parents. Linka still has the biggest smile on her face as she poses with her parents and a birthday cake with three candles on it.

Gram points out the bird painted on a plaque on the cake and tells me the story of how Linka's mom made this plaque with a picture of a bird especially for Linka and how much she loved it…a Goldfinch. I'll have to remember that. So Linka's mom is the reason she likes birds so much? That's cool that she has that connection.

The next birthday picture we come across, Linka's mother is absent. It's Linka, whose smile is not as bright, her dad, and a young boy standing next to her, looking at the cake and not the camera. I assume that's Boris, although he looks a bit older than Linka. It's probably because he's a boy so he's naturally bigger? Plus she's always been petite. I keep my mouth shut and don't ask if that's him. I'm fairly certain that it is. Who else could it be? I don't want to bring him up either. It's bad enough these pictures are probably making her sad. A few pages later, her father no longer appears in any of the photos. Linka looks to be about 7 or 8 by now. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

I turn the pages a little quicker now, noticing that Dmitri is in a few. They look happy. She's posing with him and holding up an award. It looks like they're in a school. It was probably some academic achievement that Linka received. Then there is another with her sitting on a pony, being led by Dmitri. I keep flipping through the pages, but stop at the one with Linka and her Grandfather sitting across from each other with a chessboard on the table between them. They both have looks of deep concentration on their faces…the same exact look! His brow is furrowed and one eyebrow is raised. Linka, although she only looks to be about 10 years old, has the same furrowed brow and that raised eyebrow that I've gotten quite used to seeing.

"It's like they're mirror images of each other!" I point out and laugh.

Gram chuckles too.

"Da…I do not even think they noticed that I was taking their picture…it was just too good of an opportunity to miss. I ran to get my camera and hoped they were still thinking."

"Boris really looks…looked a lot like Dedushka," Linka says.

It's the second time tonight she's had to correct the tense of her verbs to reflect the fact that her loved ones were no longer with us.

"Da…in the most recent picture of Boris that Dmitri sent to me from America, I thought how much he resembled your Dedushka when I first met him when we were teenagers…about the same age as the two of you."

"Oh?" Linka asks.

"Da. Even then, I knew that I loved him and would spend my life with him…and look what has become of us. We were blessed with two sons and the most wonderful grandchildren. A perfect family…getting older is not pleasant, but I would not change it. It means watching your family grow…new members joining."

When she says this, she pats my knee. Even if I'm not REALLY a member of her family, even if I never am "officially," it's still nice to know that she considers me a part of it. "I do not have any more pictures of Linka after she left here to join the Planeteers…perhaps I should take one now?"

She stands and starts to leave the room.

"Grandmuska, I am a mess. My make up has worn off, my hair is all messed up from leaning against Wheeler…"

"Nonsense dear, you look fine. Tell her Wheeler."

"You look fine…more than fine. The finest! Gorgeous even." To make sure she understands that while my tone may be jovial, I'm not joking. I look into her eyes and push one of those errant strands of hair behind her ear. "You're perfect."

I see her swallow before opening her mouth to say something, but by now, Gram has returned with her camera. I stand up so that I'm out of the shot, but Gram lowers her camera and says,

"And where do you think you are going Mr. Yankee? You stay right where you were and get comfortable like you two have been all night."

"Grandmuska…" Linka protests, embarrassed by the older lady's obvious match making attempts.

"Humor an old lady, Little Bird. I have nothing better to do with my time. Give me a few pictures to add to the album. I also have newspaper clippings from articles about the Planeteers. I intend to add those too!"

I've sat back down next to Linka and have resumed our previous position with my arm around her. We obligingly smile for the camera as Gram takes several shots of us. I think of my own photo album back on Hope Island…of the family shots. I wonder what are the chances that I can get Gram to send me a copy of one of these pictures? I'd like to add it to mine.

Once we've provided her with several poses and it seems like she's done, I stand up once again.

"Your turn Gram," I say as I hold my hand out for the camera. "Have a seat."

"Oh nyet Wheeler, I am a mess!" She says, trying to use the same excuse as Linka. I look at Linka and smile, knowing EXACTLY what's going to come next.

Linka stands and puts her arm around the elder woman.

"Nonsense Grandmuska…you look fine. Tell her Wheeler!"

"Da Grandmuska…you look fine…more than fine…the FINEST!"

We all laugh, and while Linka and Gram are laughing, I take some photos of them. Linka wraps her arms around her Grandmother and kisses her cheek. It really is a sweet picture, one that I am sure they will both cherish for many years to come.

"There," I say as I hand the camera back to Gram. "You have all these pictures of Linka with other family members…but hardly any of the two of you."

"That is because I was always the one taking the pictures," Gram explains.

"Yeah, I figured…well it's about time that you made an appearance in that album…especially since you've been a big part of her life."

"The best part!" Linka says as she hugs Gram once more. Both women have tears in their eyes and if I'm being completely honest, mine feel a little moister than usual too.

"Thank you…both of you," Gram says. "It is well past my bed time though. I must get some sleep. Goodnight."

Linka replies back in Russian and then I say,

"Goodnight Gram. Sweet dreams. We'll probably be right behind you."

Linka sits back down on the couch and I join her. I guess she's not quite ready to go to bed.

"That was very sweet of you to take pictures of my Grandmuska and I."

"Well, I'm a sweet guy," I say as I put my arm around her and pull her against me.

We end up staying there for a few hours longer. Even though we told Gram we were going to be right behind her, we still didn't get up. Linka picks up the album again and starts looking through it once more. I know it's more difficult for her than she let on initially, but I don't do or say anything to rush her. I just sit there as she tells me some stories behind the pictures. I was right about the picture with the award. She won Student of the Year for having the highest grades. The pony was a birthday gift from Dmitri. Once she got too big to ride it, she gave it to a little girl who lived down the street. She mentions how guilty she feels about not going to see him the last few times she's been home. Maybe tomorrow we should take him some carrots?

"I cannot stay awake," she whispers.

"You want me to carry you?" I ask, pressing a kiss to her hair.

She shakes her head.

"I will be fine Yankee, but you will let me use the bathroom first, da?"

"Yeah, of course."

When she's finished, she comes to tell me that she's done and I walk her to her door. It's a funny and awkward moment…like at the end of a first date where you don't know what to do next. Kiss? Hug? Say, "I had a great time" and then make arrangements to do it all again?

She finally breaks the silence by saying,

"Goodnight Yankee. Sweet dreams."

I don't even get a chance to reply and she's gone. No chance to kiss her. No chance to hug her. Hell, I didn't even get a chance to say goodnight!

I turn back to go to my room and get my things before heading to the bathroom for my shower.

Saying goodnight to Linka was the hardest thing I've ever had to do…GOODNIGHT, not GOODBYE…I'm gonna see her again in just a few hours…a few loooong, lonely hours. I try to rationalize it.

"Go to bed…the sooner you fall asleep, the sooner you wake up and see her again."

Easier said than done. This bed seems huge…way too big for one person. No, that's stupid. This bed is a normal sized bed…it would just be a whole lot better if I were sharing it. And it's too quiet. I need to hear the soft sounds of Linka's breathing. Feel the warmth of her breath on my neck. To fall asleep knowing that she's safely tucked under my chin. She smells so good. This room has no smell…how am I supposed to sleep without the comforting, calming scent of Linka's lavender shampoo? Empty…my arms are empty. Hugging the pillow is a very poor substitute for the real thing…maybe I should have taken her sweatshirt like I did when I went to the Philippines. No, no pillow or sweatshirt will ever replace how good it feels to have her in my arms holding her close…so close. I know one thing; I wouldn't be as cold as I am now. I wonder how she is. Is she cold? She has to be. I hope she packed something warm to sleep in. Maybe I should check…take her something extra to keep warm.

I go to my bag to find something suitable for her…but I don't have any extra clothes. I packed light, only bringing the things that I thought I needed, but I didn't think about what she might need. The only warm clothing I have is the sweatshirt that I brought to sleep in. I'll gladly give it up if she needs it. I'll go check.

I don't knock because I don't want to wake up Gram or Dmitri. God, what would he think if he saw me creeping in or out of Linka's room? It wouldn't be good.

"Babe?" I whisper as I poke my head in the door.

"What is wrong?" She asks as she quickly sits up in bed. "Did you have a bad dream?"

I chuckle humorlessly as I step into the room and close the door behind me and move closer to her bed.

"I wish. I wasn't asleep…I couldn't."

"Are you uncomfortable? Do you need another pillow? More blankets?"

Nope, I just need you.

"No, no…everything is fine…I was just…worried…I was a little cold and wanted to make sure that you were feeling ok. I figured if I was cold, you must be even worse. I just came to see if you needed my sweatshirt."

"Do you have an extra?" She asks excitedly. I knew it. She was cold.

"Uhh, no. I was going to give you this one if you needed it."

"Nyet Wheeler, I cannot take your shirt if you do not have another. You just said you were cold and…"

I stop her.

"I said I was 'a little cold.' I can put on a t-shirt…and you mentioned there were extra blankets somewhere?"

"I can get the blanket if I need it Yankee. But thank you."

"Ok…I just thought…this one that I was wearing was a little warmer from my body heat…I figured it would kinda be like wearing a heated blanket."

A smile spreads slowly across her face. Is the idea appealing to her?

"So is that a yes?" I ask.

"It does sound nice…" she concedes.

I lift the shirt over my head and hand it off to her.

"Nice and toasty," I say.

She hugs it to her before pulling it over her head.

"Good?"

"Da…perfect…almost," she says, giving me a half smile.

"Well, I guess I should get going."

"Ok."

She lies down and looks up at me. I pull the covers up over her shoulders and lean down to kiss her forehead, lingering a little longer than necessary, pulling away slightly to look at her in the dim light. I playfully brush my nose against hers before kissing her cheek.

"Goodnight…again," I whisper, still hovering above her.

"Goodnight sweet Yankee moy."

She reaches out from under the covers to run her hand down my arm, placing her hand over top of mine and squeezing. Does this mean she doesn't want me to leave? It does. I can see it in her eyes. She wants me to stay with her. My God, I'd give anything to stay. But I can't. Not here. If we get caught, she'll be so mortified that she'll regret it and push me away. When we get back to Hope Island though, things are going to be different. I'm going to tell her everything. I'm going to let her know that I don't ever want to be apart from her.

I bring her hand to my lips before releasing it and pulling the covers back up to keep her warm. I brush my fingers across her cheek and lean down closer, intending to kiss her. I hope I can get this pronunciation right…

"Goodnight…umm, Lub…ov…" I say, just as my lips meet hers in a chaste kiss. I can feel her lips smile beneath mine. I pull back and ask,

"Did I get it right?"

She smiles back at me and says,

"Close enough. I knew what you meant…I think. Lyubov."

I shiver slightly, but it has nothing to do with the air temperature. I hope Linka didn't notice, and I especially hope she doesn't see the goose bumps covering my skin. I back away slowly, reluctant to break eye contact with her. I bump into an empty birdcage and nearly knock it over. Luckily I catch it before it crashes to the floor and wakes the whole neighborhood. I think even old Alexei from next door would have come rushing over to see what all the commotion was.

She suppresses her giggle as she laughs at my clumsiness.

Right before I get to the door, she stops me.

"Wheeler?"

"Yeah?"

"There are extra blankets in the hall closet."

"Thanks Babe."

I guess my shiver didn't go unnoticed. I reach the door and slowly turn the knob, praying that there are no squeaky hinges.

"Oh, and Wheeler?"

I turn to face her, just in time to catch the shirt she has thrown at me…the shirt that she was wearing earlier this evening and was previously folded neatly at the foot of her bed.

"Sleep well."

I smile and nod at her.

"I will."

I definitely will.

To Be Continued…

And don't forget, to get the full affect of the story, you HAVE TO read Linka's side of the story in Chapter 48 of LouiseX's Codependence!