Victoria

I can't help it. Tears immediately spring to my eyes. I do everything in my power to will them not to fall but they're not cooperating and insist upon being seen.

"Oh baby...don't cry." Solomon coos softly to me, extending his hand for me to put mine in it.

I almost don't see Devin quietly make his way out the door because my eyes only see Solomon. He winces as he does his best to sit up further and I rush to his bedside, attempting to help as best I can. Solomon's hand softly takes mine, trying to pull me into him but I shake my head, fearing I'll hurt him.

He knows me so well. "Baby please...come here...you won't hurt me, I promise. I need to feel you...please."

I kick off my shoes and gently climb in beside him. Leaning onto his shoulder, he wraps me in his arms, making me feel safe, making me feel like I belong to him. And I release the flood gates, that quickly turn into that sniffling cry you get when your parents fuss at you over something dumb that know you shouldn't have done. Solomon just rubs me softly, soothing me and then I feel selfish. Shouldn't I be soothing him? Afterall, he is the wounded one, not me, but I can't help it. It's like I can't control my emotions. All of the fears from the past few weeks...everything. I was so afraid of losing him, so afraid he wouldn't come back to me.

"Solomon, I was so scared...so scared that I was going to lose you forever."

"I'm here baby...I'm here for as long as you'll have me. I'm not going anywhere."

And the river flows once again. Ugh...I'm so pathetic.

But he does everything to reassure me everything will be ok...he's going to be alright. I lay there for a while and listen to the steady strum of his heartbeat and realize he's fallen asleep. My mind begins to think about what the future might hold for us. We haven't discussed any of that and my biggest fear is that he will want the one thing that I can't give him.

My ex-husband left me for his much younger assistant because I was unable to, how did he put it, oh right...I wasn't able to produce an heir for his empire. We tried for years to get pregnant with no success, years of money spent, doctors' visits, tears, arguments and finally divorce. I can't begin to explain how inadequate he made me feel, how much I felt like a failure as a woman. It's been a long journey for me, but months of therapy lead me down a path to heal and accept what I cannot change. More importantly, I came to realize that not having children does not make me less of a woman. Before Solomon dropped suddenly and unexpectedly into life, I had been giving careful consideration to adoption. But what if he wants his own kids? Much to my dismay, I suppose one day we need to have this discussion and probably soon. I'm already in this thing with Solomon, way deeper than I expected to be, but I need him to know. It could possibly be a deal breaker for him.

Solomon

I wake up feeling a little disoriented. Victoria isn't by my side...did I dream that? Was it all a dream? I could've sworn she climbed in bed with me, but my bed is empty. Scrubbing my hands up and down my face, I realize someone's in the bathroom.

"Victoria?"

Mary appears from inside with a bright smile. "Hey there handsome! How are we feeling today?"

Disappointment fills my chest, but I smile back at her, telling her how great I feel and then go on about my beautiful dream, how real it all seemed.

She busies herself taking my blood pressure and temperature while a slow mischievous look comes across her features. "I don't think that was really a dream handsome."

My face takes on a look of confusion, but she doesn't say any more before she exits the room.

"Good morning Solomon."

And there she is...my sweet dream girl, looking like a breath of fresh air.

A slow smile spreads to my face, "I thought I dreamed you came to me last night but maybe not, huh?"

She chuckles, "You certainly didn't dream it."

"I'm so happy I didn't, now come here."

She puts the breakfast she's carrying on the bed table and comes to me, placing her hand on my cheek. I lean into her touch, closing my eyes, enjoying the peace she always seems to bring me. Victoria leans down and kisses me softly, igniting my entire body with warmth. Last night she appeared to be afraid to kiss me, like she would hurt me. It's so nice to feel her, to feel those soft lips against mine.

"I'm so ready to get out of here Tori, to be alone with you, to just hold you. I feel like I don't want to leave your side again, anytime soon."

Another knock on the door confirms that the only way I'll get any quality alone time with her, is when I leave this place. I don't even get the chance to acknowledge the knock before my doctor makes a quick entrance but he's a welcome presence. He's the key to my hasty and much needed exit.

"So when am I out of here Doc?"

His words come out stern, "Your release papers are already in the works, but I have strict instructions Solomon and if you don't follow them, you will end up back here."

Yeah yeah, Doc...just let me get home with my girl.

Finally, for what seemed like hours and hours, I am wheeled to Victoria's car and we head home with a full list of Do's and Don'ts. I can tell you right now, at least one of those Don'ts will most definitely become a Do.