~After All This Time…~

~April 2004~

Bo stood out on his terrace overlooking the landscape below, the river out in the distance. The morning air was quiet, so quiet he could hear the distant bellows of the boat horns and the bells clanging on the buoys floating on the water. He walked over to the chair and sat down, his hand wrapped around his forgotten coffee mug. It was just after dawn and the sun was barely creeping over the horizon. He continued to stare straight ahead, the same thought and memory creeping back into the forefront of his mind, the memory of the day he almost lost her…

~Flashback~

He ran into the room, his chest burning as he gasps for air. ‘Not again’, he thought to himself, ‘not her.’ He ran to her side, still clutching the note that had been left on his desk; telling him where he could find her.

He kneels down beside her, quickly removing the red leotard from around her neck, yelling ‘no’ as John and the paramedics try to remove him from her side. They keep telling him to let them do their job, but all he wanted to do was take her in his arms, kiss her pale lips and wake them both from this nightmare. Why couldn’t this just be a nightmare? Someone yells ‘she’s alive’. He feels his knees buckle as the relief washes over him.

“Dad…Dad!”, Matthew yells trying to get his father’s attention.

Bo turns, literally shaking himself free of the memory that had invaded his mind just moments before, “Hey champ, what are you doing up so early?”

Matthew shrugged, “Couldn’t sleep, I guess.” Bo walks over and sits down on the couch, motioning for Matthew to come join him. Matthew walks over to the couch and Bo pulls him onto his lap, “Why were you outside?”

“I was just thinking.”

Matthew nods, “I was just thinking, too.” He says quietly.

“Anything you want to share with your old man?”

Matthew shook his head no and laid his head against Bo’s chest. Bo closed his eyes and held him a bit tighter than he had been. Matthew had almost lost a big part of his world that horrifying night and for Bo it had been the night he finally realized the truth, realized just how deep his feelings for Nora really were. Bo knew what his son had been thinking about. It was the same thing he had been thinking about, what he couldn’t seem to get off his mind; they were both thinking about her.

At the same time across town she was sitting on a swing, slowly swinging back and forth, her hand wrapped around her own forgotten coffee cup. The sun was barely over the horizon, her eyes seeing the colors spreading across the sky, her mind was in the past…

She could hear his faint voice as she struggled to open her eyes. The lights were so bright burning her eyes as she tried to open them. She wanted to see him, to see his face. She slowly turned her head, a smile spreading across her face when she saw him sitting beside her. She opened her mouth to speak; he shook his head no, placing a finger over her lips, standing up to place a soft kiss on her cheek before leaving to find the doctor.

She reached a trembling hand up to her neck; her skin still bruised and sensitive to the touch, as Renee’s voice brought her from her thoughts, “Nora, darlin’ are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Renee,” she whispered, her voice still so hoarse she barely recognized it. “Besides, today is your big day; you shouldn’t be worrying about me.”

Renee smiled and sat down on the other swing, “Lucky thirteen.” She said as she looked down at the diamond ring on her left hand.

“For you and Asa it will be.” She said with a smile, “You two are a perfect match, always have been.”

Nora turned and looked up at the sky, the reds fading to pink as they sat in silence. Renee stood up a few minutes later, kneeling down in front of her, the early morning dew soaking through. Nora looked down at her. Renee placed her hands on Nora’s knees and smiled, “I know of another perfect match,” she stands back up and kisses Nora’s cheek, “if only they weren’t too stubborn to realize it.”

Nora watched her walk back into the house. A few minutes later Nora stood up and walked back into the house, Renee’s words echoing in her head.

Bo carried a sleeping Matthew back into his room, returning to the living room a few minutes later. He lay back down on the couch, hoping to fall back asleep, willing his mind to stay in the present. His eyes drifted closed, his breathing slowing as he fell asleep, only to be awoken an hour later by the ringing of his cell phone. He reached for it, slapping his hand across the coffee table as he searched for it. He finally snapped it opened, “Buchanan,” he grumbled into the phone.

“Boy, what are you doing still asleep?”

Bo sits up running his hand down his face, “Pa, it’s six in the morning.”

“And your point is?” continuing, not giving Bo a chance to respond, “Listen, I’m on my way to the Palace, bring my grandson and meet me there in an hour.”

 “Pa…”

“No arguments, son. It’s my wedding day after all.” He says before hanging up.

Bo brings the phone down from his ear and stares at it, shaking his head. He stands up and walks into the bathroom, starting a bath for Matthew. He walks into Matthew’s room and wakes him up. Forty five minutes later they were in Bo’s truck on their way to meet Asa at the Palace for a Buchanan men pre-wedding breakfast.

Nora was sitting in her office by herself as the rest of them slept. Renee was out in the living room on the phone with the Palace staff finalizing some last minute details. After an hour of sitting in silence, staring at nothing in particular, her mind working overtime, she stood up and walked back out into the living room, where Renee and Viki were now sitting on the couch quietly talking and drinking their coffee.

Viki noticed Nora first, “Nora, what were you doing in there all this time? I thought you were still asleep.”

Nora sat down in one of the chairs beside the couch, tucking her legs underneath her, pulling her robe tighter around her. She shook her head and smiled a small smile, “Nothing in particular, Viki, just thinking.”

Viki and Renee exchanged quiet and concerned glances, fearing that their friend was slowly retreating within herself, as she slowly came to terms with what had happened to her just a few weeks before. Viki handed her a fresh cup of coffee and then sat back down on the couch.

They all sat in silence for a few minutes before Nora stood up; placing her mug back down on the coffee table. She looked over at her two best friends, running her hands through her hair, tucking it behind her ear, “I’m…I’m going to go get ready,” pointing towards the stairs, “is there anything the two of you need before we head over to the church?”

They both stood up and walked over to where she was standing. Viki reached out and laid her hand on her arm, “Are you okay, honey?”

Nora just nodded her head and smiled, before laying her other hand on top of Viki’s and squeezing it. She looked over at Renee before heading up the stairs, willing the tears not to fall.

Viki and Renee looked up the empty staircase and shook their heads before walking back into the living room to collect the coffee cups and heading upstairs to finish getting ready to head over to the church.

Bo and Asa sat alone at the table, Kevin having gone off to pick up Kelly and bring her to the church, and Matthew now sitting in the corner playing his Gameboy. Asa looked over at Bo and laid a hand on his arm, “You look like hell, son.”

Bo smiled and shook his head, “Gee thanks, Pa.”

“Is there something keeping you up at night?” Bo looked over at his father, his sad eyes giving Asa a clue as to what was on his mind, or rather who was on his mind.

“I’m sorry, Pa. This is your day, you don’t need to worry about me; I’m fine.”

“Like hell you are. Talk to me, boy.” He pauses for a moment, “Its Nora isn’t it?”

Bo turns and looks at his father, “I almost lost her, Pa.” he says quietly, his voice cracking with emotion, “I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had.”

“You love her, don’t you?”

Bo looks over at Matthew and then back at his father, his eyes brimming with tears, “With all my heart, Pa. It just took this to make me realize that I’ve fallen back in love with her.”

Asa smiles and shakes his head, “No, it took this to finally make you realize you never stopped.” Bo once again looked over at their son, who at the same time looked up at his father and smiled that smile, his mother’s smile. The one that lit their eyes up and made Bo’s heart feel as though it would burst. Bo looked back at his father, who stood up and laid a hand on Bo’s shoulder, “Tell her son, tell her before its too late.”

Nora turned away from the window when there was a small knock on her bedroom door. The door slowly opened after she voiced her come in. She had turned her attention back to the view from her window as Renee made her way over to where she stood. Renee put her arm around Nora, who reached back and laid her hand on top of Renee’s, “Please talk to me, tell me what’s wrong.”

Nora shakes her head, “Not today, Renee. Not on your wedding day.”

“I don’t want you to worry about that right now. I want you to lean on me. Let me be there for you like you’ve been for me so many times in the past.” A moment of silence comes between them as Nora continues to look out the window, the tears finally falling. Renee feels her shoulders begin to shake as the tears continue to fall.

Nora steps out of her embrace and sits down on the edge of her bed. She looks back up at Renee and smiles through her tears, “I’m just tired, Renee, that’s all.”

Renee walks over and sits down beside her, taking her hand in hers and laying them down on her lap, “It’s okay to let people in, Nora. It’s okay to admit you’re afraid.”

Nora shakes her head, “No, I can’t be afraid. I have to be strong, for Matthew…”

“And for Bo,” Renee finished for her. Nora looked away, drawing her bottom lip into her mouth as she fought another wave of tears, “I’m right, aren’t I?” Nora slowly looked back up at Renee, her eyes betraying what her actions were showing as she shook her head. Renee reached up and took Nora’s face in her hands, no longer being her best friend, now becoming the surrogate mother that Nora has grown to think of her as, “You can deny it all you want Nora, but I know the truth. I can see it in your eyes. The eyes never lie.” Renee leaned in and kissed her on the cheek before standing up. Giving her hand a squeeze, “Think about what I said.” Nora nods as she watches Renee walk out the door.

Nora, Renee and Viki arrive at the church forty five minutes later. They gather in the back room, helping Renee with the final touches to her hair and makeup. Jessica and Natalie arrive a few minutes later. Nora sneaks out of the room and makes her way towards the garden, needing to get some fresh air. She enters the garden, stopping to sit down on a stone bench, breathing in the spring air, the birds chirping in the background the only noise breaking the peace and quiet she had found in the garden.

She turned when she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Their eyes locked as he made his way towards her from the other side of the garden. They never looked away as he lowered himself onto the bench beside her. He smiled, she smiled, her eyes lighting up for the first time that day, “How ya, doing, Red?”

“I’m okay.” She said quietly, her fingers instinctively reaching up to touch her still bruised neck.

He reached out and took her hand, bringing it down from her throat. He opened his mouth, ready to tell her what he needed to tell her when the moment was interrupted by the sound of their son running into the garden, “Mom, dad…they’re waiting for you guys.”

Bo stands up and holds his hand out to her. She places her hand in his and allows him to help her up. He leans in and kisses her cheek, “Shall we.” She nods as she slips her arm through his, holding out her other hand for their son. They leave the garden together and take their places just as the music begins to play.

Bo stands beside his father; she stands beside Renee, their eyes locked on one another, as Andrew, Asa and Renee’s voices fade into the background and they became the only two in the room.

She could hear their faint voices, repeating Andrew’s words. Her eyes keeping the hold they had on his, as she silently repeated Andrew’s words, replacing Asa’s name with Bo’s, secretly vowing her heart and soul to him and only him.

He could hear their faint voices, repeating Andrew’s words. His eyes keeping the hold they had on hers, as he silently repeated Andrew’s words, replacing Renee’s name with Nora’s, secretly vowing his heart and soul to her and only her.

The music began to play again, the applause from the guests bringing them out of their thoughts. They followed Asa and Renee back up the aisle, quickly becoming separated as every one filtered out of the church heading for the reception.

Bo walked into the ballroom quickly scanning the room, searching for her over the crowd. Finally he spots her across the room, quietly slipping out onto the terrace. He makes his way through the crowd, politely brushing off those who wanted to make conversation with him. He needed to get to her, he had seen the look on her face from across the room; he could see the sadness in her eyes. He finally made it to the terrace doors, pausing for a moment to watch her from where he stood. He could tell that she was in pain and hurting by the way she was standing, staring up at the night sky; he knew her that well.

He quietly walked up to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. He felt her shoulders relax, as she let his touch comfort her. Renee’s words echoed in her mind. She turned around and looked at him, letting the tears fall, no longer trying to hide her fear, her vulnerability. She melted into the embrace he was offering, laying her head on its rightful place against his chest.

He pulled her tighter, her warm tears soaking through his shirt. Holding her in his arms he could feel what he would’ve lost, what losing her would’ve done to his life, and he knew now nothing was going to keep them apart. He stepped out of their embrace, his arms still wrapped around her. He looked into her eyes, seeing exactly what he was looking for. He slowly brought his face closer to hers, his lips hovering just inches above hers. He heard her breath catch in her throat, her eyes closing as his lips settled onto hers.

Their kiss held all the feelings that had built up in them over the past few months, the events of the past weeks finally allowing them to come to the surface. After a few minutes they broke their kiss, their faces still inches apart as he rested his forehead against hers. He looked into her eyes, bringing his fingers up to brush the tears off her face, he sighed as he struggled to find his voice, “I love you, Nora”, he whispered breathlessly, “I love you so much.”

His words brought more tears, tears of joy and happiness, replacing the tears of fear and emptiness she cried just moments before. She reached out and ran her finger down the side of his face, just like she’s done so many times in the past, finally resting her hand on his cheek, “I love you too, Bo. I love you so much that I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

Bo brings her hand off his cheek, kissing her palm before intertwining his fingers with hers, the other hand resting on her hip, “You’ll never have to imagine that sort of life, Nora. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.” He pulled her close, beginning to sway back and forth as the music from the ballroom filtered out through the terrace doors.

She melted against him, his arms pulling her tight against his chest. She was safe in his arms once again. As long as she was being held by him, nothing could touch her. He was her rock, her safe place; her haven. All she’s ever needed.

He pulled her closer, his hand finding its rightful place on the small of her back. He brought his lips down onto her exposed shoulder. She lifted her head off his shoulder and looked into his eyes. He lowered his lips back down onto hers. Their earlier kiss was tender and sweet, full of vulnerability. This kiss was full of passion and longing.

They broke their kiss, once again looking deep in each other’s eyes. She leaned in and kissed him once more, breaking it after just a moment, “Stay with me tonight? I need to feel your arms holding me; I just want to know you’re there.”

He leaned in and kissed her, taking her hand; leading her back into the ballroom. They said their goodbyes, arranged for Matthew to stay at Viki’s, and paid their respects to Asa and Renee.

Moments later they were leaving the hotel hand in hand. Bo slid in behind the wheel of his truck. He looked over at her as she stared out the window. He reached over and lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him, “You sure about this?”

“I’m sure.” She said taking his hand.

They pulled into her driveway twenty minutes later. He walked around the truck and opened her door, offering his hand to help her out. They walked up the walkway together hand in hand. He held out his other hand, taking the key she was offering. He opened her door; she entered first, removing the shawl she wore around her shoulders, as she walked into the living room.

He removed his jacket and laid it across the chair. She turned around and looked at him, “I’m…” pointing up the stairs, “I’m going to go change. I’ll be right down. Make yourself comfortable”, she points towards the kitchen, “There’s beer, soda; whatever you want in the fridge, help yourself.”

Bo nodded as he removed his tie, draping it across his jacket. He loosened the top button as he walked towards the kitchen. He reentered the living room a few minutes later, a bottle of beer for each of them. He removed the caps and placed them on the coffee table. He sat down on the couch, kicking his shoes off as he hears her coming down the stairs.

He turns and looks at her, holding his hand out to her. She takes his hand and sits down beside him, allowing him to pull her close against him. He put his arm around her, as she laid her head on his shoulder, tucking her legs underneath her.

They sat in silence for a few minutes enjoying the quiet and the feel of being this close again. She reached over and took his hand, lifting her head off his shoulder, “Thank you for coming here with me tonight. There’s so much we need to talk about before we can move on, but for tonight I just wanted to remember what it feels like to be held, to let myself go and fall asleep in your arms.”

Bo kissed the side of her head, pulling her closer, “I’ll be here, Red. Whenever you’re ready to talk, for whatever you need; whatever you want, I’ll be here.” She closes her eyes, and moments later he hears her steady breathing, allowing himself to fall asleep; both having the first night of peaceful sleep in as long as they could remember.

Spring has ended and summer had begun and they were slowly becoming the family they had always wanted to be. They had talked through their past, finally setting it all aside, allowing them to move forward. Matthew was pressing them about moving in together, and although he spent every non working hour with them, they always went to bed alone.

He woke up one hot summer morning three months to the day that they had stood on the terrace, knowing that they had finally reached that point, that familiar place between them. He reached across the bed and picked up the phone. Ten minutes later he ended that call and dialed another number, a smile spread across his face when he heard her sleep filled voice, “Hey, good morning, beautiful.”

She sat up in bed, smiling at the sound of his voice, “Good morning to you too, gorgeous.”

“I’ve made reservations at the Palace for tonight; I would be honored if you would join me for dinner, dancing, and” pausing for effect, “and maybe more.”

She smiled, “More?”

“Well we’ll just see where the night takes us.”

She felt her heart begin to race in anticipation, “I would love to join you for dinner, dancing, and maybe more. What time will you be picking me up?”

“Seven?”

“Perfect, I’ll see you then.” She looked over at the picture of the three of them sitting on her nightstand, “I love you, Bo.”

“Love you too, Red. See you tonight.”

Nora spent her day working through the files she brought home from the office, after dropping Matthew off for his scout overnight. Her mind drifted back over the past few months and how much had changed in their lives, how much they had changed.  She turned her desk lamp off just before six and made her way upstairs to get ready for her evening with Bo.

Forty five minutes later she was standing in front of the mirror, running her hands down the front of her dress. She reached into her jewelry box and removed the earrings he gave her that Christmas so long ago. She was fastening the last earring when the doorbell rang. She sighed, trying to steady her breathing as she made her way downstairs.

She opened the door and she literally took his breath away. She wore a tight fitting red silk dress, cut low enough to give him the smallest view, leaving the rest to his imagination. He held his arm out to her; she placed her arm through it, closing the door behind them.

They ate at a secluded table for two, spending the time talking about their son and his summer activities, and their latest cases. They finished their dessert, and as the waiter cleared their table he stood up and took her hand, leading her out onto the terrace where he had a small radio set up.

He pulled her close and they danced until they were the only ones left in the restaurant. As the last song ended he stepped out of their embrace and took her face in his hands, leaning in to place a soft kiss on her lips. He breaks the kiss.  She leans in and rests her forehead against his, “Are you ready for more?, she whispers.

“Are you?”

She nods as she leans in, capturing his lips in another passionate kiss. They break their kiss and walk towards the front desk. A few minutes later they were walking onto the elevator hand in hand. Bo pressed the button for their floor and looked over at her. He turned her so that they were facing each other, “Second thoughts?”

She turned and looked at him, “Not a one” she sees the question in his eyes, “I promise you, Bo, not a one.”

“Are you sure?”

She reaches up and runs her finger down the side of her face, “I’m sure, Bo. I want this, I want this so much.”

Well, here we are again
I guess it must be fate
We've tried it on our own
But deep inside we've known
We'd be back to set things straight

Bo slips the key in the lock, stepping aside as he opened the door, allowing her to pass. She walked into the middle of the room and stopped, turning back around to face him. She smiled and held out her hands, wrapping her arms around him once he reached her.

He held her tight against him, pulling her into a passionate kiss. He parted her lips with his tongue, deepening their kiss. Her hands moved up, running through the hair at the base of his neck, as his hands ran up and down her back.

I still remember when
Your kiss was so brand new
Every memory repeats
Every step I take retreats
Every journey always brings me back to you

He broke their kiss, their breathing still rapid as they look into each other’s eyes. He reaches down and takes her hand leading her towards the bedroom. They once again stand in the middle of the room, holding each other close as their lips meet, their hands exploring each other.

His lips left hers, traveling across her cheek and onto her neck, caressing the spot below her ear. She reached between them and ran her hands over his chest, bringing them slowly up around his neck. She arched her neck back, her desire for him growing with each caress.

After all the stops and starts
We keep coming back to these two hearts
Two angels who've been rescued from the fall
After all that we've been through
It all comes down to me and you
I guess it's meant to be
Forever you and me, after all

Bo brought his lips back onto hers as he reaches between them, caressing her through the silken material of her dress, eliciting a moan from deep within the back of her throat. She brings her hands back down running them over his chest, slowly opening each button as their tongues continue their sensual dance, the passion between them becoming all consuming.

When love is truly right
(this time it's truly right)
It lives from year to year
It changes as it goes
And on the way it grows
But it never disappears

He brings his lips back across her cheek and down across her collarbone, stopping on her shoulder as he slowly lowered the thin straps of her dress off her shoulder, letting them lay across her mid arm as he continued to kiss her shoulder. She unbuttoned the last button of his shirt, running her hands over his bare chest, taking in the feel of his skin against hers after all their time apart.

His lips left her shoulder, traveling across her chest, kissing the skin just above the bodice of her dress, her breath catching in her throat as his tongue ran over her flushed skin. His touch was sending her places she hasn’t been in so long, places she had longed to find again.

After all the stops and starts
We keep coming back to these two hearts
Two angels who've been rescued from the fall
After all that we've been through
It all comes down to me and you
I guess it's meant to be
Forever you and me, after all

She slowly pushed his shirt down his arms until it lie on the floor.  He reached behind her slowly lowering the zipper of her dress as he continued to assault her senses, his lips setting her skin on fire. He ran his hands up her back, lowering her dress until it joins his shirt on the floor.

She turns in his embrace as he kisses her neck from behind, wrapping his arms around her, bringing his hands up, lightly running his fingertips over her breasts, her nipples raising to a hardened peak as she laid her head back against his shoulder. She reaches down, removing his one hand, bringing it up to her mouth. She places a kiss on his palm, before drawing his fingertips into her mouth, gently sucking, as his lips continued to caress her neck.

Always just beyond my touch
You know I needed you so much
After all, what else is living for?

His hands slowly move lower, running across her stomach, stopping on her waist. She closes her eyes as his hands move lower softly brushing over her, causing her breath to catch as he continues to caress her. His lips travel across her back, stopping on her shoulder as she reaches behind him, running her hands down his hips.

She turns in his embrace once again. He brings his lips back onto hers as he lowers her onto the bed. He lies down beside her, their lips still locked as she wraps her leg around him, pulling him closer against her. Their tongues continue their dance as he rolls on top of her.

He broke their kiss, pulling himself up onto his hands, his body hovering just inches above hers. He pulled himself up higher reaching out to undo the clasp on her strapless bra, revealing her to him. He brought his lips back down onto her skin, taking her in his mouth, running his tongue over her nipple bringing it back to its peak. He brought his other hand across her body, running his fingertips over her other nipple, eliciting a moan from deep within.

She reached out and ran her fingers through his hair as his tongue and fingers continued to pleasure her. She arched her back, causing him to take more of her in his mouth. He lowered his hands, slipping his fingers into the waist of her panties, running his fingertips along the elastic, hooking his fingers into the sides. She raised her hips as he slowly lowered them, depositing them onto the floor. His mouth continued to caress her breasts as his hand slowly runs along the outside of her thigh, making its way to her center.

Her breath catches in her throat as his fingers slowly slip between her moist folds, seeking out her most sensitive spot. She raises her hips as his fingers move deeper, running over her.  He broke contact with her breast, looking into her eyes, before lowering his lips back onto her skin, kissing her as he moved down between her breasts, across her stomach, hovering just centimeters above her center.

She shuddered as his warm breath caressed her skin, his finger still pleasuring her as he kisses along the inside of her thigh, finally replacing his finger with his tongue. He brings his hand back up, cupping her breast as she arches beneath him. She reaches out, grabbing a fistful of sheets as his tongue brings her closer and closer. He feels her finally tighten around his tongue, taking in her sweet juices as her body is overcome with her climax. He kisses back up her stomach, pausing on her breast before bringing his lips back down onto hers, parting them with his tongue. She accepted his tongue, tasting herself on him.

After all the stops and starts
We keep coming back to these two hearts
Two angels who've been rescued from the fall
After all that we've been through
It all comes down to me and you
I guess it's meant to be
Forever you and me,

She reached between them, placing her hands against his chest, pushing him onto his back, rolling on top of him. He reaches out and runs his fingers through her hair as she kisses his chest. She runs her hands down his sides, loosening his belt as her tongue continues to caress his chest. She quickly removes his belt, kissing down his chest, until she reaches the waistband of his pants. She makes quick work of the button, looking up at him, their eyes locking as she slowly lowers them over his hips.

She runs her fingers just inside his silk boxers, her fingers hooking into the side, slowly lowering them over his hips, discarding them over her head. Her eyes lock with his once again as she lowers her mouth onto him, taking him fully into her mouth. He reaches out cupping her breasts with his hands as she continues to pleasure him, running her tongue over the tip of his desire, causing him to shudder beneath her.

She was driving him crazy, bringing him right to the edge of sanity. He struggled to find his voice, “Now, Nora, please…” he said breathlessly.

She broke contact with his desire, kissing back up his stomach, her breasts lightly grazing his chest as she lowered her mouth onto his. He rolled her onto her back, hovering over her for just a moment as his desire slowly slipped between her moist folds. Her breath caught in her throat once again at the feel of him inside her after all this time. She reached out, cupping his hips, pulling him deeper as he moved within her.

She reached out behind her, gripping the headboard, her knuckles turning white as she moved her hips matching him thrust for thrust. He reached up, removing her hands from the headboard, intertwining his fingers with hers, bringing their hands down along side her head.

Their thrusts intensified, their bodies becoming covered with a sheen of sweat, illuminated by the moonlight filtering through the window beside the bed. Their lovemaking had always been this way, a sensual dance between two lovers, and even after all their time apart, they never forgot what each other wanted, what they needed. He knew what every moan meant. She knew what was behind each touch. They were one once again.

After all the stops and starts
We keep coming back to these two hearts
Two angels who've been rescued from the fall
After all that we've been through
It all comes down to me and you
I guess it's meant to be

They whispered each other’s names as their bodies shuddered, their climax overtaking them. He pulled her on top of him, their hearts racing; their breathing coming in rapid bursts as they held each other, their bodies still connected in the most intimate way possible.

She lifted her head off of his chest, a single tear falling onto her cheek. He reaches out and brushes it off her face, kissing her cheek where the tear once laid. Their eyes said it all, words weren’t needed to express what they were feeling….

 

Forever you and me, after all

THE END

After All by Cher with Peter Cetera