Lynelle parked her car and walked up Roman's driveway. She stopped in front of the front door and took a deep breath. She raised her hand but then shook her head. She normally didn't knock and she wasn't about to start now. She wasn't just another random guest.
"I'm his girlfriend, damn it!" She muttered.
She opened the door without knocking as usual and stepped inside.
"Roman?" She called.
She closed the door and stepped out of her flip-flops.
"Roman?" She called again. "I know you're here!"
He stepped out in the hall with a sad look on his face.
"I was in the garden," he said.
"Talk to me," she said.
"I don't know what to say," he said.
"Just say something," she said.
"I love you," he said.
She walked up to him and took both of his hands in hers.
"Renee stopped by," she said.
"I never raped anyone," he said.
"I know," she said.
He started sobbing and she wrapped her arms around him. He held her close and cried down in her hair.
"You believe me?" He asked.
"Yes," she answered. "Renee told me everything. She even sent me proof after she left my house. She kept everything from back in those days."
"I'm so sorry. I should have told you from the start," he said.
"It's a tough subject to open," she said. "Look at me, Roman."
He broke the hug and looked at her. She moved her hands up to dry his tears away with her thumbs.
"I love you," she said.
Those three words made him smile through his tears.
"I love you, pretty woman," he said.
She smiled back at him and pulled him down so she could kiss him.
"What happens now?" He asked.
"Now we snuggle up on the couch with some hot chocolate and read all the messages from my friends. I sent them Renee's video that explains everything. Those that matter will understand and those that don't will be cut out of my life," she said.
"Renee made a video explaining things?" He asked.
"Are you surprised?" She asked.
"Not really," he chuckled. "She was always one to come through with proof if someone questioned her."
"She's a cool chick. I might ask her out for a cup of coffee next week," she said.
"I won't be against that," he said.
She smiled at him and he smiled back. He leaned down for another kiss, then hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her with him to the kitchen while she giggled sweetly.
"Hot chocolate," he said.
"With whipped cream," she said.
"And marshmallows," he said.
"Hell, yeah!" She said.
She grinned at him and he chuckled at the sight.
"I should have known I could talk to you about this," he said.
"You can talk to me about anything," she said.
"I know that now," he smiled. "I love you. I love you so fucking much."