A Graduation Gift

Night spread over the small space like a dark canopy as tears clouded Cassandra's vision and made everything dimmer. Her tears, flowing like waterfalls, traced wet paths down her cheeks.

Cassandra surrendered to her sorrows as Rufus held her in his arms. She had reached the end of her tether, and it was as if her past was catching up to her, along with everything she tried so desperately to bury and leave behind. Letting herself be lulled in his embrace, she closed her eyes and clung to the comfort he was giving her like it was air. She knew that she shouldn't let him hug her like this - she was a married woman and he was her brother-in-law. However, she just couldn't prevent herself from reaching out to him as sobs wracked her frame and shivering from the coldness that sprang from her chest.

Rufus felt her shivers and wrapped his arms tighter around her, stroking her hair gently. His chest constricted at the sight of Cassandra's tear-stained face. Another tremor shook her shoulders. At that moment, if he could take away her pain or somehow find a way to free her from it and claim it for himself, he would not have hesitated. He remembered her smiles as they drove on the road here, and wanted so desperately to bring it back, the image of her face almost gleaming against the light of day.

The tremors eased and he felt her shoulders relax as she continued to breathe deeply. "Why are you crying?" he finally asked. "Aren't you happy that you are back home?"

He looked down and Cassandra raised her head slowly to meet his eyes, not speaking a word. Rufus looked into her eyes, and he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from the pain in her eyes, as if it was speaking to him. He watched once again as tears filled her eyes to the brim, flowing down her face in wet trails.

"Silly girl," Rufus sighed and gave her a fond smile.

He did not know why he had done this - taking her in his arms and comforting her as the emotions raging inside her. All he knew was that even before he could comprehend it, his feet were headed to her, and arms reached out holding her to him. He didn't understand it himself, but it seemed that when it came to this woman, he dropped all his guards. Slowly and carefully, he raised his hand and held her face. His touch was careful, as if he was touching delicate glass. Cassandra felt his warm fingers wipe her tears as his eyes never left hers.

At once, more tears flowed out, as a sudden wave of sorrow washed over her. It was as if that small touch released more of her sadness. "Rufus..."

She called him, her voice shaking.

She didn't know where to begin and what to tell him. Her head was a whirlwind because her pain had wrung her chest, squeezing out whatever was left of her.

Rufus didn't say a word and just looked at her, patiently waiting, until she could find the words to start.

He kept wiping her tears away. There was a desire inside calling him to protect her, keep her safe, and hide her away forever from anything that could have hurt her. It was an alien feeling, one that he had never experienced before, and yet unmistakable, like a mark brandishing itself in his mind.

The Cassandra he knew was strong and stubborn, but now looking at the woman in his arms, she was so fragile and hurting. He wanted nothing more at that instant than to be the one to protect her.

Nothing could have prepared him for what happened next. His mind stopped for a moment when he felt her soft and warm lips on his own. Cassandra was standing on her tiptoes and wrapping her arms around Rufus' neck when she pressed her lips on his, pulling him closer desperately.

knew that moment winded down to Cassandra's lips and the bitter taste of her tears. It was as if

That was what

his arms around Cassandra's waist, holding her even closer and tighter. He kissed her and answered her lips

clinging as though they were both trying to memorize each other through the kiss. They forgot where they were and what they were here for. They forgot about everything. Everything, except

herself in his scent, his touch. She felt intoxicated with the man who was kissing her, his arms giving her warmth she

sound of someone's voice came from

are you there?

them stop what they were doing.

the events that had just transpired dawned on her. She pulled away from Rufus

call pulled her out of what she was feeling.

the her family for God's

Rufus cut her sharply.

fixedly down to avoid his eyes. As always, she was considering everyone else's feelings but her own. It made his heart ache fore her, despite his irritation. Frustration grew in his chest as he looked at her, knowing that she was locked in a marriage with someone else.

she made everything seem

yard, sis?" Cloris' voice ripped him away from his thoughts. "Lionel is here. We are

answer her. Her sister's voice filled the atmosphere with an urgency that mirrored the turmoil of Cassandra's thoughts. What she did was wrong - kissing Rufus, the man who was not her husband, was terribly wrong. She raised her head to look at him, her eyes

this hour. Why did he decide to

but had acted so wrongly. She quickly wiped the tears that were still on her cheeks, then said in a leveled voice, "I

Cassandra walked with quick strides and soon, she was inside the house. The corners of Rufus's mouth lifted into a knowing smirk. She kissed him first. It warmed him, relishing the implications that sat behind her action.

obvious that her flustered reaction made

the sofa in the living room. Across from them, Lionel, who rushed here this late, faced them with a charmingly apologetic smile on his

There was so much work to do so I wasn't able to

of people. He could play the part of the loving, devoted husband if he wanted to, and it would fool everyone

right. We are very happy that you can be here. You must be tired and hungry