Song: "Speechless" by Rachel Platten

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I stretched and groaned. "I hate Mondays," I grumbled.

Harry rolled over and held me, burying his face into my neck. "Mmmm, it's not Monday, but it feels like one. And I hate it too because I had such a great weekend with you."

"I'm going to petition for a four-day weekend, no a five-day weekend, every week. Or at least once a month," I said, trying to pull away from Harry's embrace.

"Noooo," he murmured. "Five more minutes."

How could I resist? I burrowed back into Harry's arms and I reset my alarm for half-hour later. I could get by without a shower today. But when my alarm went off, I knew I had to get ready and be speedy about it. I grabbed my clothes and went into the bathroom.

"Hey!" Harry yelled with a chuckle in his voice. "What are you doing?"

"Getting dressed, what does it look like?" I yelled back.

"Why did you go into the bathroom?"

"Because I'm getting dressed," I repeated. I knew what he was getting at - that I didn't need to feel shy around him since we had already been naked together. But it still felt weird to just show it all off when we weren't in that situation. I figured it would only be a matter of time, however, until I felt comfortable doing just about anything in front of Harry. Except maybe using the bathroom. I don't think I could ever handle that.

Harry drove me to work, even though it was only a few blocks away. He said he wanted to get up and get going anyway. I opened the door of his Subaru to get out and he said, "Can I meet you for lunch?"

I gave him a questioning glance. "Maybe we shouldn't spend so much time together - I'd hate to have you getting sick of me before Christmas."

"Ha!" He barked in laughter. "I could never get sick of you. But if you're getting tired of me hanging around-"

"Never!" I interrupted him, followed by a quick kiss. "Come back at 12:30."

He grinned and drove away only after watching me enter the building. "Good morning, Gabby," I greeted my boss as I do every day.

She surprised me by saying, "Someone looks happy this morning."

I smiled shyly. I hadn't told her about reuniting with Harry the previous week because it was so profoundly wonderful that I didn't want to share it just yet. I mean, of course I told Beth and she had a happy conniption, but I wasn't comfortable walking around telling everyone, "Harry and I are in love and we had sex and it was my first time and...." No, I just needed to process it all and I'm sure Gabby noticed but she hadn't said anything until now.

"Yeah," I admitted. "I'm very happy. Harry and I are...together. And we spent the weekend together."

"Ahhh, I see," she said and gave me a genuine smile.

I figured I owed her a little further explanation since she had given me advice. "When he finally came to talk to me, he told me he was afraid because he was falling for me and didn't want to get hurt again."

"And now he's not afraid anymore?" She asked.

"I'm sure he is. I am, too, to be honest. But that's not going to stop either of us at this point. Love always involves some level of risk, doesn't it?"

She nodded thoughtfully. "That it does." She purposely changed her tone and said, "Now get a move on with the book return. It'll take you all day at this rate."

I smiled and as I headed to the basement, I thought of when Harry had brought me my favorite gooey cinnamon roll and smiled. I could almost smell it. The doors opened wide and I stepped off the elevator ready to begin my day. When the cart was loaded, I brought it all the way to the stacks, following my usual routine for re-shelving. I smiled again, remembering Harry's haggard appearance when I first saw him there in the corner. I could never have imagined how things would change between us in barely three months' time. I was completely in love with him and dare I say, completely ready to give my life to him.

I hadn't thought extensively about marriage and family yet, since I was only 21, but falling in love with Harry suddenly changed all that. Now I wanted it all - marriage, children, and some day, grandchildren. I was in this long-term, forever, if he'd have me. But a little voice in the back of my head kept telling me I was rushing into this and he would undoubtedly still need more time. It was one thing for him to be in love again; it was another thing entirely for him to get married again so soon. As much as I loved him, I knew I had to hold myself back and be content with what we had for now.

I suddenly realized that I wasn't sure if Harry knew my birthday was coming up. Soon! It was December 7, which was less than a week away. I felt kind of silly that I hadn't mentioned it and it was so close, but my family was kind of low-key about birthdays. And I didn't want him to think I was telling him just because I wanted him to get me something. But I knew he'd probably be upset if I didn't tell him and especially if I didn't celebrate with him in some way.

When he arrived at 12:30, I climbed into his car and made sure to tell him straightaway. "I don't want you to feel obligated or anything, but I thought you'd like to know that my birthday is this weekend, December 7."

His jaw dropped open. "Really? Yes, I'm very glad you told me. I would have felt awful if I missed it."

"Good," I smiled. "My family usually goes out for brunch on the weekend to celebrate birthdays. I'm not sure if they'll do Saturday or Sunday, but I'd like you to come with me. And please don't feel obligated to bring a gift. I just want you there."

"I'd love to come to brunch," he said, with a glint in his eye that I took to mean he was going to ignore my comment about a gift. He pulled away from the curb and drove back to my apartment. He had picked up fast food for us to eat at my place. It was a bit more cozy than the break room at the library. We ate rather quietly, content just to be side by side for a few moments.

When Harry dropped me off at work again, he said he'd be back to pick me up. "Oh, and then what?" I teased.

"Can I stay over again?" He asked, flashing a grin that displayed all his teeth. How did he do that without looking like a dork?

"I see what you're doing. You really are going to move in with me and let me support you."

"You betcha," he said with a wink.

That night, as we ate grilled cheese, which I proudly made, Harry asked, "Are you free Saturday night?"

"Sure," I nodded. "My birthday is on Sunday so my mom texted me today to make sure that's okay for brunch. What's up?"

"What's up is that I haven't taken you out on a proper date yet. So, would you like to go out with me on Saturday?"

"I'd love to," I answered, leaning over to kiss his cheesy lips.

Saturday evening finally arrived - after the longest "short week" ever. He had stayed with me for the week, but he went home early in the day so he could arrive for our date like a "proper gentleman." He had also told me to pack an overnight bag, which both intrigued and excited me.

My heart thrummed when I heard him knocking at 6:30, ready to take me to our 7:00 dinner reservations. I had found a funky long-sleeved, black velvet dress with white appliques in large, whimsical designs. I paired it with my tall black boots and some minimal jewelry since the dress made enough of a statement by itself, and I was ready to go.

I opened the door to find Harry dressed in black with his long hair down around his shoulders but pushed back neatly, away from his face. His shirt had a few buttons opened, enough to see only the skin where there was no ink; paired with a thin black scarf that hung loosely, it was a bold fashion statement, but also one that made me weak in the knees. I had never seen him dressed up like this and it made me just slightly breathless.

"Hi," he said softly, stepping into the apartment. He closed the door behind him and slid his arms around my waist, kissing me eagerly. "You look fantastic," he murmured.

"So do you," I replied. "Stunning, really."

"Stop," he said in a quiet voice. "You're making me blush." But then he launched a fantastic smile towards me, one that made that deep dimple appear, and again, my knees might have given way if he wasn't holding me so close. "Shall we?"

I nodded and grabbed my dress coat. Harry was only wearing a blazer over his open shirt; I couldn't imagine how he was staying warm. And all that black seemed it would be a fashion faux pas, but the way he wore it, I was convinced that the color was made just for him.

After a short drive, we arrived at the MGM Grand. Harry announced, "This is where we're spending the night," which suggested to me that we could both imbibe a little tonight if we wished. I would never wish to get stupidly drunk on a night like this, but sometimes just enough alcohol heightened the pleasure of everything.

We went to the Wofgang Puck Steak House, inside the MGM Grand, for dinner. Sure enough, a bottle of Merlot was brought to our table at Harry's request. The waiter poured the first round into two extra large wine glasses and Harry and I took our first sips.

"Have I told you how beautiful you are?" He said with a twinkle in his eye.

"Not today," I giggled, the wine already sending its relaxing currents through my body. "And you, my love, are exquisitely handsome."

"Exquisite, huh?" He raised his eyebrows and I raised mine back to him as confirmation of my words.

Dinner was fantastic; I had never been inside the Grand before, oddly enough. It was a gorgeous place with enough to keep us occupied for an entire evening and then some. After dinner, we spent some time in the casino, winning just enough to cover dinner, although Harry didn't necessarily need the help, from what I gathered.

After dinner, we headed into the Axis lounge, bright with purple lights, yet calm enough to offer us an intimate after-dinner setting. Harry ordered another bottle of wine and I knew I'd have to pace myself; getting plastered would surely ruin this exceptional night. Still, I snuggled into Harry's side and accepted another glass.

"Did you and Cathryn used to come here?" I asked, the words slipping out without my permission. I didn't want to talk about her tonight and Harry obviously felt the same way.

"No, but let's not talk about the past anymore tonight. Let's just enjoy being here, you and me."

"I know," I said. My words were becoming like molasses. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he said. "I get why you think about her, but I don't want you always feeling like you're living in her shadow. You're not, I promise you. You're not."

I craned my neck to look up at him, and he met me halfway with a deep kiss. I didn't even care that we were surrounded by hundreds of people. I was so in love with him. My heart felt like it was pounding fast and moving slow at the same time, consumed with everything that was Harry. I could almost believe we were intertwining and becoming one.

He finally pulled back, looking a little sheepish that we had made out in public. He stood up and took me with him. "Let's dance," he said. It was only then that I recognized Rachel Platten's "Speechless" playing over the crowd.

I shadowed him as we made our way to the dance floor, where he spun around and pulled me closer than he'd been holding me at my apartment. His arms around my waist, I stood on my tiptoes to lace mine around his neck and we danced. He had a great sense of rhythm but it felt like he might trip over himself if we moved any faster. This was the perfect beat for both of us.

"Why didn't I know you could dance?" I teased.

"There's a lot you still don't know about me," he answered. "And I suspect that I have a lot to learn about you, too." However, the look he gave me made me feel like he could understand me completely and look straight into my heart.

He kissed me hard, forgetting his earlier shyness. Our bodies were pressed so tightly together and it felt like the most perfect fit. Breathless, he finally mumbled in my ear. "I can't wait. I need you." All I had to do was nod and he was tugging me out of the club and in the direction of the elevators.

We practically burst into our room, kissing madly, touching each other anywhere we could. Locked and deadbolted, the door now offered us the privacy we craved, that we needed in order to express ourselves fully to each other.

I held Harry off for a moment while I took off my boots, but he quickly grasped me to himself once again, becoming very obviously impatient, if I hadn't gathered as much from his words in the club. Every heavy breath he expelled from his lungs sent tiny thrills throughout my body. He unzipped the back of my dress and pushed it off my shoulders until fell to the floor. "Regan," he mumbled into the skin of my neck.

Soon, with no barriers between us, we met each other under the covers. His movements were intense and strong. I had never been so overwhelmed in my life, in a good way, physically or emotionally. As our lovemaking culminated, Harry became exceptionally vocal, which moved me in inexplicable ways.

A loud utterance suddenly fell from his lips and he relaxed. It was a name, but it wasn't mine.

It was hers.

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Thank you everyone for almost 24K reads. Stacks is now trending in the 500's - I'd love it if we could bump it up higher. If you'd share it with your readers, I'd be so grateful and as always, I'm happy to return a shout-out!

Also, a note to clarify - the past seven chapters happened over a period of just one week. Harry had come to tell Regan he loved her the Friday before Thanksgiving. Then there was Thanksgiving Day with her family, two days at Harry's, cleaning his house, and then two more days at her apartment. I realized that was too many days, so I made up the part about the library being closed on Monday to compensate. Sometimes I don't think things through! lol