The Reunion After Seven Years

The night grew deeper. Lying in Kerr's arms, Nicole watched the beautiful, calm, moonlit night outside her window. It was as if a violent storm had not come to disturb the world last night.

It was late, but Nicole was still wide awake, listening to Kerr's steady breathing.

"Why are you still up?"

Kerr gently stirred and kissed the top of Nicole's head.

"Have you been up? How did you know I wasn't asleep?"

Nicole tilted her head to look at Kerr whose eyes were halfway closed.

Kerr was half-awake at best. She had tried not to wake him up.

"I can't sleep with you still up. I can tell you're awake from your breathing."

The woman Kerr loved was by his side. Of course he could feel her breathing. People said that when you were in love with someone, you would be able to memorize everything about them including the way they breathed. Kerr knew that now to be true.

"Can you really or you're just sweet talking me?"

Nicole started fiddling with Kerr's hair.

"I've never sweet talked anyone but you."

Kerr looked at Nicole seriously.

He had never sweet talked anyone because he did not have to. Women were constantly throwing themselves at him, but he had never been especially interested in any of them. Nicole was different. She held his heart in her hand.

"Then I will expect your sweet words from now on."

Nicole had never asked Kerr about his past, but she knew about the constant parade of women that circled him. She could not change the past, but she could make the present and the future wonderful for both herself and Kerr.

She only needed to be in Kerr's present and future.

got them," he

over and rested her head against Kerr's

soon. Are you sure you

Nicole at any cost, but he needed to make sure

identity and position will complicate our relationship,

you're you, not because

felt Kerr's steady heartbeat break into a

butterflies in his stomach the way she got butterflies

you don't

around Nicole and closed his

with joy. He finally found someone he could share all his happiness, anger, and sorrow with, someone he

this at

on in sweet tranquility, and Kerr savored every minute

rays flooded the ward, but Kerr and Nicole were still

pressing his ear against Nicole's door when Jay walked

doing, Uncle Jared? Are

covered his mouth and

probably still sleeping. Come on, let's get you

was about to grab Jay, but Jay

Mommy to have breakfast too. I need to wake her up!

door and ran into Nicole's ward with

"Jay, wait! Don't!"

Jay was

he would tear Jared a new one for letting the

was about to

and grabbed Jay. Kerr had always been vigilant. The moment Jay climbed onto the bed, he had

"Kerr..."

awake and reached for Kerr. She opened her eyes and saw Jay