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"Promises To Keep" Chapter 9: The World Didn't End �I had to see you. I saw you on TV and knew that I had to find you,� Melissa knew Dan wasn�t the type to be happy on unexpected visits. �You saw me on TV?� Dan asked uncertain if he liked that. �Mel, you know that we broke up for reasons neither of us could control. And you have to respect that decision.� �I do respect your decision, but there was so much more that I needed to say to you,� Melissa looked at her shoes. �There was so much that hadn�t been said.� �What more do you need me to say?� Dan asked taking her hand in his. He still cared for her. �I need you to tell me that you still love me,� Melissa said quietly hoping he hadn�t heard her. �I still love you,� Dan lifted her chin so she was eye level with him. �Why can�t we try?� Melissa asked him. �It�s too hard. You�re at Harvard with no time to spare and I�m here. On the road with no time to spare,� Dan stroked her cheek. �It wouldn�t work out.� �Oh Danny, it kills me to hear those words,� Melissa fought back tears. �And it kills me to see you like this,� Dan fought back his own tears. �That�s why I had to break it off. I didn�t want to do this to you.� �Do what?� Melissa asked hopeful that it wasn�t something too serious. �See you after weeks of being apart and seeing you cry as we say goodbye,� Dan paused, he could feel the tears burning in his eyes. �I couldn�t do that. I couldn�t be the one that tears you up like that.� Melissa covered her mouth with her hand. She stood up and Dan followed her action. She flung her arms around him and just hugged him. She didn�t want to let go. Dan rubbed his strong hands over her back, she gripped his shoulders. They didn�t let go. �Dan, just� just�� Melissa said not able to finish her story. �Just what?� Dan asked still holding her tightly. �Just thank you,� Melissa said. �Thank you?� Dan questioned. �For being so good to me,� Melissa told him. �For not putting me through all that.� �You�re welcome,� Dan said finally pulling away. �Can I ask you one more thing?� �Anything,� Melissa smiled, she could feel what was coming. �Kiss me,� Dan said. They moved slowly together. Their lips met and lingered for a while after. Melissa kept her eyes closed not wanting the moment to end. She licked her lips tasting Dan�s familiar flavor. He smiled at her and both knew that everything they had been through was for the best. They kept the single promise they had made to each other when they had first met. I�ll never break your heart. THE END!
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