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Open Arms Chapter 4 Lying beside you, here in the dark. Feeling your heart beat with mine. Softly you whisper, you�re so sincere. How could our love be so blind? We sailed on together, we drifted apart and here you are by my side. Nick looked down at Heather, studying her face in the silver moonlight. She looked up, catching his eye and they smiled at each other. She was so close that he could feel her heart beat and her warm breath tickled his neck softly. "I love you." She whispered, snuggling even closer. "I love you too." He replied gently, running his fingers through her hair slowly. The sound of the ocean furthered his sense of peace. They had decided to take a midnight walk on the beach and now were lying in the sand looking up at the stars. Nick couldn�t believe that Heather was back in his arms again. This time he hoped that it was forever. He was just too happy for this to be real. It seemed like he was living in a dream and any moment he would wake up to find he was back on the road without her. As it was he had a couple days off and had decided that he wanted to spend it in Florida with Heather. So far it had been incredible, too perfect to be true. Being around her was intoxicating. It had been over a year since he had last held her. She sighed contentedly, momentarily breaking his reverie. Nick smiled and kissed her lightly on the forehead. Then, resting his chin on the top of her head he watched the moonlight play on the waves. So now I come to you, with open arms. Nothing to hide, believe what I say. So here I am with open arms. Hoping you�ll see what your love means to me...Open arms. The white sand was warm beneath me as I snuggled even closer to Nick. I knew my family would shoot me if they found out I was in Florida and didn�t visit, but I wanted to spend the time with Nick. It was like we were in our own little world, untouched by reality. I knew it couldn�t last forever. In two days we would go back to the real world, but I felt I was better prepared this time. I wish I could say that the moment I got his rose I called him and things were wonderful again. That wasn�t the case though. I waited a few weeks because I needed to sort things out. As much as I loved Nick I had to carefully consider what I was getting myself into again. My eyes traced the outline of his face lovingly. I loved him so much I thought I would burst. Hopefully he knew how much I loved him and how much it meant to me that he loved me back. I wanted so much for it to work this time. I felt that I was better prepared. The year without him had been hellishly long. I had done everything I could to forget, even temporarily, how much it hurt being without him. It was futile, of course. No one could ever replace him and nothing had dulled the pain. But we were together again and I banished the memories of loneliness from my thoughts, focusing instead on the present. Living without you, living alone. This empty house seems so cold. Wanting to hold you, wanting you near. How much I wanted you home. But now that you�ve come back, turned night into day. I-need you to stay. Nick tightened his arms around Heather�s waist and she shifted against him. He was hesitant to break the silence and perfection, but they needed to talk. They hadn�t discussed the future yet, too engrossed in each other to mention anything too serious yet. He sighed slightly. "Heather." He said softly. "Yeah?" she replied. "We need to talk." Nick stated seriously. Heather nodded. "Yeah, I know." He looked into her eyes. "Tell me, do you honestly believe that we have a chance this time around? If you don�t, then please tell me now." "Nick," Heather began softly. "I thought that I knew what I wanted. I realize now that I honestly didn�t have a clue. When I was with you I was homesick, but when I was home I missed you so badly it was like a physical pain. How does that poem go? �Why is it, when I am in Rome I�d give an eye to be at home, but when on native earth I be, my soul is sick for Italy?�?" She thought for a moment. "I think that�s how it goes." "What�s that called?" Nick questioned. Heather grinned. "It�s called �On Being A Woman�." Nick chuckled. "I see..." She laughed a little, then sobered. "Anyway, I didn�t know what I wanted. But Nick, last year was hell. Being anywhere with you is better than anywhere else without you. I can�t forget you, I can�t replace you, I can�t move on without you. I need you." She paused for a moment. "What about you?" "I..." Nick stopped. "You put that so much better than I ever could. I love you and I�m willing to do anything it takes to make this work." Heather sighed happily. "I love you too." She whispered. "Forever." Nick added. "Forever." She repeated as their lips met in a kiss that was full of promise and hope. |