Chapter 33

Sorry for the delay. I had a girls weekend in NYC and it took all of my time and a considerable amount of my energy. If you live near the city I highly recommend "It's Only a Play". Fantastic cast and production. We got to meet Matthew Broderick after so I am a bit buzzed from that. Hope you enjoy the chapter.

Laura blinked, his question taking her by surprise. She tried to take a step back but he pulled her to him, wrapping her in his embrace, "Tell me everything Laura. I want to know everything there is to know. I won't run. I will be right here loving you for as long as you will let me."

Laura wrapped her arms around him, clinging. Of all of the things she had imagined he would say to her this had never come to mind. The tears she had been fighting slid silently down her cheek. Without knowing it those four words, a simple question, had healed all of the hurt, not just of the last few hours, but since the day she woke up in the hospital.

Robbie held her to him sensing her tears were about more than just him walking away. As her sobs increased he made a decision. Lifting her gently he carried her into the house, up the stairs and to their bedroom. He placed her tenderly on the bed then lowered himself to lay beside her. He held her as her tears subsided. Her breath went from ragged to smooth to deep and even.

Watching her as she slept, he was swept away by the depth of love he felt for her. He knew something precious had broken between them today. Kissing her forehead before surrendering to sleep, he made a vow to do whatever it took to make it up to her.

Darkness covered the room when Laura woke. She blinked her eyes confused about where she was. Movement next to her and a warm arm pulling her close brought back a rush of memories. She looked up at Robbie, comforted to see him. Wrapping her arm around his waist she thought about the day.

She didn't want to think about how close they had come to destroying their relationship. She'd never wanted to think that something so simple could end a relationship. But she knew it could happen. That they were here, like this gave her hope they were past the worst of it.

The question he'd asked her played across her mind. She wondered if he knew how powerful those words had been. What he'd said next had been equally meaningful but the question told her more. It told her they would get past this together.

"I can hear you thinking Laura. Care to share with the rest of the class?"

She smiled as she looked up to meet his eyes, "I was just thinking about how much I love you."

He kissed her forehead, "You don't know how much that means to me Laura. When I saw you earlier I was certain you were going to tell me to take a hike."

Laughing lightly she buried her head in his chest, "I thought about it." She felt him tense and pulled him closer, "Then I realized I've invested entirely too much time in training you Robbie Lewis. I'm not letting all of my hard work go to waste."

He lifted her chin so she was looking at him, "Training me Dr. Hobson?"

Fighting a smile she nodded seriously, "Absolutely, getting you to make the bed, clean the bathroom and don't get me started on the subject of separating clothes."

"I love you Laura."

She nodded knowing their joking moment had passed, "I know Robbie. I'm sorry for everything."

"So am I. I shouldn't have left. And I meant what I said earlier, I want to know everything. You don't have to tell me today, tell me when you are ready."

They lay side by side staring at one another for longer than either would have thought. Peace had descended and each knew they had weathered the worst of the storm, "A girl, I had a girl."