It was so quiet, the sound of gravel crunching under my feet as I walked was drowning out the sound of the few birds that were singing.  I watched my sneakers, fascinated by the different sounds that were echoing off the high brick walls covered in green leafy vines on either side of me.  I tried to match them to my steps but it was hard to decide which echoes belonged to my feet and which ones belonged to Uncle Alfred. 

I looked up through the misty fog that surrounded us to watch him walking ahead of me.  His broad back was hunched and he looked like a bear, the way his whole body swayed back and forth with each step.  For once he'd dressed nice in a suit and tie, but it didn't fit him well.  It had probably been a long time since he'd worn it and since then he'd gained weight.  His large neck stood out bright red, bulging above his dark suit jacket and below his short white blonde hair.  Since the air was cool from the mist, I didn't think it was because he was too hot, it was probably because he was still mad. 

When our taxi arrived at the gate at the beginning of the gravel driveway, Uncle got out to talk into an intercom on top of a pole.  I didn't hear what was said because the windows were closed, but when he turned around he was swearing and yanked open the car door. 

"Get out!" he growled at me.  "We're walking the rest of the way!"

"Yes, sir," I said, and climbed out of the back seat as quickly as I could, while he told the taxi driver to leave our luggage by the gate.  I'd been living with him for more than two months now and I'd learned when he got like that, it was best to just do whatever he said as fast as I could so he didn't get even more mad than he already was.  

When I'd first come to live with him, he was sort of nice for a few days but after that, it was like he couldn't do it any more.  After that it seemed no matter what I did, he was always mad at me for some stupid reason or other.  I tried to stay out of his way as much as I could, which wasn't too hard since his house was so big.  I spent hours every day exploring the different rooms, or hiding away somewhere with a book.  I could tell at one time it had been a beautiful mansion, but not anymore.  For some reason he'd stopped taking care of it or even cleaning it. 

I hated living there.  It was so quiet all the time with just the two of us.  And it wasn't like back home where there were houses up and down the street filled with kids to hang out with.  Instead we were in the country, far from the nearest town.  I missed all my friends but even more, I missed Grandma May.  I wrote to her every day but she hadn't written back to me, and I couldn't understand why.  I knew she loved me, or at least I hoped she still did.  Sometimes I'd get so sad thinking about it that I'd cry, especially at night.  

When Uncle said we were going back to America, I was excited.  I hoped he was so mad at me he'd decided he didn't want me living with him anymore, but I didn't dare ask him.  It was a big disappointment when he gave me my plane ticket at the airport and I saw we were going to Oregon.  There's still a possibility we could go to Chicago before we go back to England, but I doubt we will.  I made a decision while we were riding here in the taxi.  As soon as I'm alone in a hotel room, I'm going to call Grandma May.  I want to tell her how much I've missed her and maybe I'll find out why she hasn't written back to me. 

The gravel driveway curved ahead of us, and when we came around the corner I stopped walking, hardly able to believe what I was seeing.  In front of us surrounded by the mist, was a castle.  At least it looked just like a castle with stone walls, towers, and arched windows and I suddenly felt excited.  If we were staying here, I'd have so much fun exploring. 

"Oi!  Hurry up, you stupid cow!" Uncle yelled, immediately taking away my happy feeling. 

"Yes, sir," I said to the gravel driveway as I jogged to catch up to where he was standing. 

"You stay by my side!" he growled when I reached him.

"Yes, sir," I said, not looking at him so he wouldn't see how much I hated him at that moment. 

"And don't say anything either!  You keep your gob shut while we're in there!"

"Yes, sir."

"If you're a good girl," he said in a softer voice.  "I'll take you for ice cream after." 

I looked up at him with surprise because he sounded like he was trying to be nice, but he was sneering.  I should've known he was playing a joke to trick me.

"Yes, sir," I said to the gravel again, hating him even more.

"Now, move along!" he growled, grabbing my upper arm and pushing me forward a few steps before he let go of me, and it scared me.

I blinked hard to keep my tears inside so he wouldn't see them, my heart pounding in my chest.  This was just because he's angry he had to walk, it won't happen again, I told myself over and over, trying not to panic.  I made sure I stayed near him even though it made me nervous. 

We walked up to a wooden arched door and before Uncle could knock, it was opened.  I expected to see a butler, like in the movies, but the man who stepped aside so we could enter looked nothing like that.  He was tall and big, almost as big as Uncle, with short hair like a soldier.  The stiff way he stood while we passed him made me think he might really be a soldier, but he was wearing suit. 

The room we entered was round with a high ceiling lit by a chandelier.  My eyes went everywhere, trying to take it all in because it was so beautiful, just as beautiful as a room in a castle would be.  There were oil paintings on the walls and a big patterned rug on the floor.  A round carved wooden table was in the center of the room with a towering flower arrangement in a huge crystal vase.  Whoever lived here was rich, a lot richer than Uncle Alfred.  I could tell he was impressed by the room too because he was looking around just as much as I was.

When the man closed the door, he bowed and said, "Follow me, please," with a strong accent.  It surprised me he wasn't an American.

As the man turned to lead the way, I saw his eyes on my sneakers then travel up my body until he looked right at me.  My heart leapt in my chest when I saw the harsh expression on his face just before he turned away.  While I walked a little behind Uncle, I wondered why he would look at me that way, like he hated me.  Then I looked down at my sneakers and it made sense.  Here I was at some rich person's house where everyone was dressed nice, and I was wearing pink converse sneakers, jeans and a pink Hello Kitty t-shirt.  It was all Uncle's fault, I thought angrily.  He should have warned me so I could change my clothes.

We followed the butler down a long hallway past open doors that led to huge rooms.  I tried hard to stay close to Uncle while I looked through the doorways, trying to see as much as I could because the rooms were so beautiful.  I was disappointed Uncle made it seem like we weren't staying, but maybe while he was visiting his friend, I'd be allowed to look around a little. 

We started up a narrow flight of stairs that never seemed to end and soon Uncle was breathing hard.  I wasn't surprised.  He'd hardly done anything since I'd lived with him except sit in a chair and watch soccer games.  The man ahead of was obviously used to climbing all those stairs because I didn't hear him breathing at all.

When we reached the top of the stairs, he led us down another wide hallway, but the doors were all closed.  I didn't like it nearly as much as the first floor because it was darker and there weren't any paintings on the walls.  We'd walked almost to the end of the hallway when he opened a door and held it for us.  I kept my head down and stayed extra close to Uncle when I walked past him. 

This room wasn't as fancy as the other rooms, but I liked it.  It was large and comfortable with a pale blue rug in front of a pretty fireplace.  A big white couch and two chairs faced the fireplace with a beautiful chandelier hanging overhead.  A big white desk was near one wall that had shelves full of knickknacks.  Doors led to other rooms and I wondered what those rooms were like.  At the far wall were French doors with panes of glass that let in a lot of light, making the room bright .

"Monsieur will be with you momentarily," the man said in his thick accent while he bowed again and then left, closing the door behind him. 

I noticed right away how quiet it suddenly was, making Uncle's heavy breathing sound even louder.  While he was looking all around, I slowly eased away from him, hoping he wouldn't notice.  Once I was close enough to the French doors to look out, I could hardly believe it.

"Uncle!  The ocean!" I said excitedly, turning towards him.  "I didn't know we were near the ocean!"

"Nor did I," he muttered, sounding jealous.

The door to the living room opened and a different man walked in.  While his back was turned to close the door behind him, Uncle glared at me and made a quick motion with his arm letting me know he wanted me next to him.  I got to him as quickly as I could while the man turned around. 

He was tall and thin, wearing a suit, of course.  I could tell by the way he carried himself when he walked towards us, he was the rich owner.  His brown hair was kind of long and combed back with gel.  Instead of looking at Uncle, he was looking right at me.  His steel gray eyes were set too far in, making them seem darker.  From the angry scowl on his face, I knew he was mad about the way I was dressed. 

"I thought you said she was pretty!" he barked.

Pain tore through my chest and I felt as if I'd been crushed.  I gasped for air while I looked at him with shock, tears springing to my eyes.  How could he say something so cruel in front of me? 

"What?  What?" Uncle sputtered with indignation, and I got behind him.  "Just look at her!  She –!"

"Silence!" the man shouted, holding his hand up, and Uncle immediately stopped speaking. 

Then he snapped his fingers.  "You!" he barked, and I looked at him.  "Here!" he said, pointing to the floor in front of him. 

I pressed myself against Uncle's back so he could protect me but he stepped away and turned around.  When I saw the look on his face, I staggered away as fear gripped me.  Instead of seeing indignation at how this stranger was talking to me, he looked excited with a huge grin on his face. 

He licked his lips and a picture suddenly came into my mind of a hungry wolf about to make a kill.  My heart began pounding in my chest and I got a sick feeling in my stomach because now I knew why I'd been brought here.   

"Now!" the man shouted, making me jump.

A voice in my head warned me not to do it, not to get close enough for him to touch me, but my feet seemed to have a mind of their own, and I slowly started towards him.  My body was shaking and my legs felt wobbly while the voice screamed at me to stop, but my feet kept moving, bringing me closer to him, step by step.  I was too scared to look at his face so I kept my eyes on his shoes.  They were shiny, and the color of dirty blood

It seemed to take minutes to cross the few feet that separated us and by time I reached him, my body was shaking so badly my legs felt like jello.  He grabbed my chin with a strong grip and forced my face up.  I looked in his eyes, and they scared me even more.  They were so cold, like a snake's eyes. 

"The next time I give you a command," he hissed, making my insides curl up.  "You will not move so slowly or you will regret it.  Do you understand this?"

"Ye-ye-yes, s-s-sir," I stammered in a hoarse whisper while my body quaked beneath his hand.

He forced my head side to side, looking at me from different angles, his tight grip making my braces cut the inside of my cheeks.  I tried to bear the pain without letting it show but it became too much and I couldn't stop myself from trying to pull away as I started crying.  He let go of me and as I staggered backwards, he grabbed my arm and jerked me towards him.

"What is this?" he bellowed, prying my lips apart with his fingers so he could see my braces.  His grip was so tight, it was hurting me and I struggled to get loose as panic took over.  "What is this on her teeth?" he shouted, spinning me around to face my uncle.  I was crying loudly, sobs tearing through my body as he shook me.  "What the hell am I to do with this?" 

He let go of me and stalked towards Uncle who backed up a few steps, holding up his hands.  "Look, I know I didn't mention the braces," he said quickly, sounding scared.  "I'm a poor man.  I don't have money to deal with it," he whined.

"This is not what was promised!" the man thundered, now towering over Uncle.

"But you can easily take care of that!" Uncle wheedled.  "Look at her, will ya?  Look at that hair!  She's a fuckin' gold mine, I tell ya!"

"Do you think I will let you come into my house and cheat me?" the man bellowed.  "Do think I will allow this?  You are playing a dangerous game, my friend!"

I put my hands over my ears and squeezed my eyes shut, trying to make it stop.  I started backing away blindly, moving around the furniture when I hit it, until my back was against a wall and I could go no further.  Voices inside my head were screaming at me to run, to escape, and I wanted to, but I stood rooted to the spot, frozen with terror.

Then all the voices became quieter until it was silent.  A sense of peace came over me, and I took a deep breath and let it out as my body relaxed.  I was safe in my bed, and I could feel them.  They were here.  I smiled and opened my eyes.  When I saw him, I threw off my covers and jumped out of bed.

"Daddy!" I said, jumping into his arms.  While he gave me a big bear hug, I buried my face in his shirt so I could breathe in the familiar scent of his Old Spice cologne.

"Il mio topolino," he said, smiling down at me, his gentle, brown eyes filled with love.  It was the nickname he'd always called me, 'my little mouse'.  He looked so handsome, just like the Italian movie star from the 1950's, Massimo Girotti, with his rounded face, dark eyebrows and thick dark brown wavy hair combed off his forehead.  

When I looked over at Mom, he let go of me and she held her arms out.  "Come here, baby," she said, and I ran to her embrace. 

After she hugged me, she smoothed her hands over my face, looking at me with tears in her bright blue eyes.  Sometimes I would see women on the streets with her same coloring, pale skin and straight light brown hair, and it would startle me.  I could never help examining them more closely, just to be sure it wasn't her.

"I love you, baby," she whispered. 

"I love you too," I said, trying not to let my own tears show.  I knew our tears were from happiness, but I didn't want to cry, not now.  

Then I saw Frankie, beautiful as always with her long caramel colored hair, large brown eyes and olive complexion.  When I hugged her, I had to bend down a little and I couldn't help feeling sad.  She was so young, still a little girl.  It wasn't fair she didn't get the chance to live out her life.  When I let go of her, she smiled at me, then took my hand and led me to the bed so we could sit.

"I see you and Robert are together," she said, looking over her shoulder at him while he slept.  I couldn't help smiling as I looked over at him.  He looked so beautiful lying there, his long curls partially covering his face. 

"Yes," I sighed happily.

 "I was worried," Frankie said, looking back at me.  "I didn't know if you two were going to work things out."

"I was worried too.  I thought once he came to Chicago, he'd be so happy when he saw me, he'd want to be together again but –."  I couldn't continue as painful memories came to me.  How closed off he was.  How bitter and angry he was. 

"I was stupid not to have expected it," I muttered.  "I should have known that he wouldn't just forgive me after I'd hurt him so badly.  I was afraid I'd lost him forever." 

"But you knew he loved you," Frankie prodded gently, her eyes looking so much like Robert's eyes.

"I wasn't sure he did.  But that night when I had my nightmare, he came to me and held me until I felt better, just like he always used to," I said, quickly wiping my eyes as I remembered.  "And then – he came again the next night.  That's when I knew he still loved me.  I made a decision right then.  I wasn't going to push him.  I'd give him space and hoped he'd choose to be with me on his own.  Of course, it didn't quite work out that easily."  Frankie laughed.

"It's never has been that easy with the two of you," she said with a smile, and then she became more serious.  "I knew Robert was special from the beginning," she said soberly.  "He's such a caring soul.  He loves you deeply – enough that he was willing to fight to save you.  That never changed."

"I did whatever I had to do to save him too," I said, looking over at him again.  He looked so peaceful, so safe, and it made me feel better, taking away my bad memories of that terrible place.  Frankie took my hand and when I looked at her, I was surprised by the intensity in her eyes.

"You two belong together, Georgie.  Don't ever forget that." 

"Don't worry," I told her firmly.  "I won't let anything come between us again."

"Good.  I think things are going to get a lot better for you two," she said, patting my hand as she stood up. 

Mom and Daddy stepped forward to say good bye.  I didn't want them to leave, but I tried not to let it show.  After giving each of them a hug and kiss, I got back in bed, turning my back to them so I wouldn't see them leave.  I snuggled close to Robert, being careful not to wake him.  As soon as he felt me next to him, he rolled over and put his arms around me with a sigh.  I could tell by his breathing, he was still asleep and I concentrated on his strong arms holding me so I wouldn't feel the grief of losing them again. 

When I woke up, sunlight was streaming in through the window.  Robert still had his arms around me, holding me while I was rested against him, my head on his shoulder, my arm and leg lying on top of him.  I tightened my arm around him and snuggled against his warm strong body.

"Good morning," he said, his deep voice rumbling in his chest and tickling my ear.  I couldn't help grinning as I looked up at him.  He was smiling back at me as he pushed his messy curls out of his eyes. 

"Good morning," I said happily as I stretched up to give him a kiss.  I felt his soft lips caress mine while the stubble on his upper lip grazed my skin.  Then he rolled over, propping his head up on one elbow and stroked my cheek.

"Did ya sleep well last night?" he asked.

"Yes, very well.  And did you sleep well?"

"Never better.  No nightmare last night," he said excitedly, and I felt a twinge of sadness.  He'd admitted a few days ago he hoped therapy would make my nightmares stop.

"Well," I said slowly, looking at the dark stubble on his jaw as I began rubbing my fingers over it.  "I did but – you know."

"Oh," he said after a moment, and I glanced at him.  He looked troubled and then managed to hide it.  "That's – good," he said, trying to sound like he meant it and attempting a smile. 

I pulled him towards me and he laid his head on my chest.  I ran my fingers through his curls, wanting to make him feel better.  I knew he didn't believe my family came to see me, and that was okay.  But it made me sad their visits caused him to worry about me.  I heard him sigh as his body relaxed and I rubbed his back, feeling his muscles and enjoying our quiet moment together. 

"I love Sunday mornings," he said with another sigh, relaxing against me even more.

"Me too," I said, giving him a little squeeze.  It was the one day of the week we'd set aside just for us.  We made sure to do all our errands on Saturday and tried not to make any early morning plans so we could stay in bed as long as we wanted. 

During the week, both of us were busy now that the school year had started.  I was enrolled in higher education access courses at the same university Robert was attending.  He'd tried to explain to me how people got their degrees in England a few times but it's so different from the American system, I could never fully make sense of it.  It didn't matter though.  All I cared was my courses were like a G.E.D.  Once I was finished, I could enroll in regular university just like any other student.  The best part was Robert and I had almost the same schedule, leaving together most mornings and coming home together most afternoons. 

"I should get started on breakfast," Robert said, pulling away from me. 

"Oh, must you?" I moaned with disappointment, halfheartedly trying hang on to him.

"I'm hungry!" he said, laughing.  "And besides," he added more quietly as he leaned in for one last kiss, his large brown eyes twinkling with humor.  "We can always take a nap later," he said knowingly.

"Okay," I said giggling.  Naps on Sundays were becoming a regular thing.

When he stood up, I couldn't help admiring how beautiful he was as he put on a t-shirt and flannel pajama bottoms.  His body was tall and lean, but with slightly broad shoulders and muscles from his years of swimming.  He ran his fingers through his curls a few times in an attempt to tame them, the muscles in his arms flexing, but it didn't work.  Instead his hair flopped all over in loose waves and he gave up before walking to our tiny kitchen. 

We'd moved out of his parent's place just before school started, deciding it made more sense to have a place close to campus.  I loved our little apartment, even though it was just one room and a bathroom.  When Robert and I first saw it, I was immediately reminded of the apartment in Chicago I used to visit when I was a kid, the one I'd always dreamed I would live in.  It even had a window overlooking a courtyard filled with trees.  When I mentioned it to Robert, he immediately told the landlord we'd take it.

I got up and straightened the bedding enough I could fold up the mattress, turning our bed back into a couch.  I pulled on my bathrobe over my flannel nightgown since it was chilly now that the weather had turned cool, then joined Robert in the kitchen.  As soon as we'd moved into our apartment, He'd started making breakfast for us on the weekends just like his dad did.  I started coffee for me and tea for him, then set our little table while he finished making scrambled eggs, sausages and toast. 

Once we were seated, Robert pushed his hair out of his eyes and said, "I forgot to mention Betsy called.  She asked if we fancied going to the club on Friday." 

"That sounds like fun," I said, suddenly feeling excited.  Dancing was the one thing I missed the most.  It was too difficult to fit it into my schedule of classes, studying, therapy sessions, and everything else I had to take care of, at least without sacrificing our Sundays, and that wasn't something I was willing to do. 

"She said something about there being a club nearby we had to try," he continued.

"Betsy knows all the good clubs," I replied with a smile and Robert shook his head as if he didn't like how much his sister loved clubbing, but I knew he was just doing it to be funny.  He loved to go to the clubs too.

Over the summer, Darrell had decided to move out of his dad's to be closer to Betsy but as was typical of Betsy, as soon as he told her, she found an apartment and announced they were moving in together.  Our university wasn't that far from hers and we'd been able to see them every few weeks since we lived so close.  We'd made dinner together and watched movies or played games to save money.  It made me happy to see them looking so happy and in love. 

Once we'd finished eating, I washed the dishes while Robert dried and put them away, then we got out our text books and papers so we could start studying.  I loved doing school work and being a student.  I hadn't minded spending time with May while she helped me study for my G.E.D., but once I started attending school here I realized what I'd been missing.  Now I attended lectures, had tutors, and made friends with the other students.  They were all so interesting; all different ages and from different backgrounds.  Most importantly, I didn't feel ashamed around them because they were all trying to get their diploma so they could go to university just like me.

We'd been studying for about an hour when my mobile started ringing and I went to the table by the couch to retrieve it.  When I looked at the display, I could feel panic rising up inside me.

"Robert!" I cried.

"What is it!" he said with concern, immediately getting up to come to me.

"It's – it's Angelique," I gasped, holding the phone out to him with my shaking hand.  I could feel the tears coming as Robert took it from me, his face suddenly pale and grim.  Angelique Powell was my lawyer. 

After I'd come to England, Robert and I talked over what we should do about the arrest.  The more time passed, the more unlikely it seemed the police were going to figure out I was one of the victims, but Robert thought we should hire a solicitor, just in case.  If they did find me, I would need someone to advise me, and Angelique worked in an international firm, which meant she could work with American lawyers if things got that far.

We'd asked her to keep up with the news of how things were progressing with the case.  Neither Robert nor I could bear to see his face, nor stomach the details that were being leaked about his crimes.  If she was calling me on a Sunday, I knew this wasn't good.  Seeing my tears, Robert pulled me close, holding me tight with one arm. 

"Hello, Angelique.  It's Robbie," he said firmly, sounding strong in spite of what I knew he was feeling.  I cried as quietly as I could into his shoulder while my body shook, hearing her muffled voice responding to him.

"Is this something you can tell me?  She's – not doing well at the moment," Robert said, holding me tighter as my legs began to give out.  They'd found me.  I knew they'd found me and now I was going to have to see him.

"Georgie," he said gently, helping me to the couch.  "She said she'll tell us on the speakerphone."

"I don't want to hear it!" I sobbed, completely losing control while Robert held me tight against him.

"Georgie!  Georgie, listen to me, honey!" I heard Angelique say loudly.  "This isn't bad news."

"It – it isn't?" I said, wiping my face and looked up at Robert.  He was just as confused as I was.

"At ten p.m. last night, Portland time, Bertrand was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head."  Robert and I looked at each other with shock.

"I don't believe it," I said numbly.  He was too strong, too powerful for anything to stop him, even bullets. 

"It's true, Georgie.  He's dead," Angelique said gently, her rich voice giving a hint of her Jamaican heritage.  "The police are classifying it as a suicide but – I have my suspicions.  As you know, I have a mate who has a mate working on the case.  He heard Bertrand was trying to work out a deal.  He'd said he had information he'd be willing to offer in exchange for a lesser sentence.  I may be wrong but it may have been information about LeBlanc, Robbie."

"Yeah," he gasped, still in shock.

"The trial has been suspended so – it looks like it's over, Georgie."

It's over.  At the sound of those words, I started crying again and collapsed against Robert, no longer able to hold back the weight of emotions that had been threatening to overwhelm me.

"Cheers, Angelique," Robert choked out.

"I'll call you later this week with an update, alright?  Take care."

Relief, sadness, pain, happiness, anger – all of it was swirling around inside me so much that I didn't know what I was feeling at any moment.  Memories came to me, disjointed and foggy, hands hurting me, cruel words that cut me, and those eyes that terrified me, cold like a snake and full of evil.  I couldn't make the memories stop and I felt like I was falling deeper and deeper into a black pit of pain and fear I would never escape from.

Then I heard someone sobbing, and it brought me back to the present.  Robert was holding me tight, clinging to me while he cried into my shoulder.  Hearing the pain in his voice made all the emotions leave me, except for one – sorrow. 

I'd done my best to protect him and keep him safe, warning him so I could keep him out of harm's way, keeping secrets from him so he wouldn't know what evil things were going on behind closed doors, taking abuse that was meant for him.  I'd done more than he'd ever know, all in an attempt to keep his soul from being destroyed like Tristan, but it hadn't been enough.  I was a failure. 

I ran my fingers through his curls and shushed him while I cried for his pain as much as my own.  After a few minutes, he pulled away from me.  "I'm sorry about that," he muttered, wiping his face and looking ashamed.

"Don't be sorry, Robert," I said, wiping away my own tears.  "He hurt you too."

"I'm glad he's dead," he spat out bitterly, his face twisted with anger.  "I hope he was murdered.  I hope he suffered.  He can rot in hell."  Then he noticed me watching him and his face softened as he suddenly looked concerned.  "How are you feeling?" he asked gently.  "Are you alright?"

"I – guess," I said, the weight of emotions rushing back now that I was focused on myself.  "I guess – I don't know what I'm feeling," I added, quickly wiping away a tear that had run down my cheek. 

"Come here, Georgie," he said, scooting back on the sofa.  He pulled my legs over his lap and I leaned against him, laying my head on his shoulder while he wrapped his arms around me.  He started rubbing my back and I snuggled against him more, pressing my face in his neck.

"I'll come with you to your session tomorrow, yeah?" he said quietly, his deep voice rumbling against me.  "We'll talk to the doctor about it.  That'll help, yeah?"

"Yes."

"We'll get through this.  We'll be alright.  Y'know that, right?"

"I know we will," I said, and kissed his neck before I settled back in the same position. 

I felt his steady heart beats on me, his breathing making my body rise and fall, his strong arms surrounding me, keeping me safe.  I concentrated on the feel of him, letting the happiness he brought me fill my mind, pushing away all the sadness and pain. 

"I'm so lucky you came into my life," I said. 

He lifted my chin, looking at me with his large brown eyes.  "I'm so lucky I found you.  I love you, my sweet Georgie," he said gently, making my heart melt.

"I love you too, Robert," I replied, just before I slipped my fingers in his hair and pulled him close so I could kiss him.