Natalie's  POV:

        "You didn't have to go, you know."

          I wake up with my head on Gabriel's shoulder.

          "Ah!"

    I stand up, causing him to release my hand as I blush from embarrassment.

    "Natalie, what made you leave?"

    "Pardon?"

   "What made you leave?"  I hear Gabriel repeat the question.

      "My sister had not seen me in years, and I felt my niece and nephew needed me. My brother-in-law had surgery, but it took him longer to recover than the doctors expected."

       "I see," Gabriel states as he clears his throat.

       "Do go on...please," I sigh as he pleads with me.

      " Well, I needed a break from the house, the stress, the confusion, and you."

         I gasp as I see the shock in his eyes, and his face falls.

       It was then I knew I had hurt him.   I was afraid of him but would never admit it.

       No, I was here, yet I was not ready to share my feelings with the man I loved.

     "My doctor was out of town, and I decided to have some tests done."

        I saw the look of horror in his eyes, almost like he was taken aback at the news.

      Perhaps, it was too much for him to handle.  I should not tell him the results.

           I felt him reach out and place a hand on my shoulder.

          I almost felt as if my skin burned with his touch. The whole thing was ridiculous because he did not know my feelings.  There was no way he could understand how his interaction with me now troubled me.

              "The results were worse than I  could begin to explain."

             I regretted bringing it up because I did not wish to tell him more.

          Not when it meant I would be humiliated for the rest of my life.       

      "Natalie, are you alright?"

     "No, I am afraid I shall never be alright because I haven't  been for years."

       I shuddered as he stood next to me.        

"Natalie, you do not have to go through this alone."

       "I will support you."         

     I did not say another word.

      I stood still while I let him wrap his free arm around my lower back area.

           I wept. 

   The story continues in Chapter 4 B: Her Worst Fear.

         Until then,

     bye-bye, 

     little owlets!

   Summer out!