Thanks for voting, and for your comments -- even the disparaging ones. I'm humbled to know Andy and Sara have such passionate fans. Please know I thought long and hard about the last chapter. Future editions may look very different, but for now . . .
Tuesday
An hour after they had gone to sleep, Andy heard and felt Sara's bad dream. He held her gently, and then began kissing her hair when he heard her crying.
"I thought I was the only one with bad dreams," he said softly. "I'd love to hear it if you want to talk about it."
She nodded her head and turned to face him. "Andy it was horrible. It was a replay of what happened today, but my dad was there watching. No one else was there to stop us. We," she began to cry again, "we didn't stop."
He said nothing, but just held her and let her cry. When she paused, he lifted her head to his. "It was a dream. Nothing else. Look at the ring on your finger. Think about who's holding you right now. Think about those things, Sara. Don't focus on your fear -- focus on the good things."
She nodded.
"Now, since we're not going to sleep, why don't you put that Oxford back on and we can go to the balcony. I'll light the fire and we can just sit for a bit. How does that sound?" he asked kindly.
"Don't you need to sleep?" she asked.
"I need my beautiful fiancé to feel how much I love her, and to know that we will get past this. All of it," he said firmly. "Besides, Dr. Land gave me an excused absence for the morning," he grinned.
She nodded, and they got out of bed. When Andy opened the balcony door, he noticed that the temperature had dropped, and the moon was not to be seen. He stepped back inside, and grabbed two pairs of sweatpants. Sara slid on the oversized pair easily, and Andy grabbed his woobie to ward off the cold. They settled in on the chaise lounge, he spread the woobie over them, and she snuggled in against his chest.
"Better?" he asked.
"Mmm. Much better." She paused, "This is home Andy. Right here."
They sat in silence, and he hummed on old Springsteen song to her.
"That's nice, baby. What is it?"
"Your song for," he glanced at his watch, "tonight, actually. I may even play it in front of everyone if I can get the chords down this afternoon."
She nodded, and snuggled in tighter. After a bit, she asked, "Andy, do you really have to move out? Baby, I sleep so well next to you. Momma and I tried to snuggle up last night, but it's just not the same," she giggled.
"I've been thinking about that," he said. "Here's what I propose. You spend the night here on Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday nights. That way, we only have to survive two nights apart. If it's OK with the others, I'd even be willing to spend a night in the Commons."
"I think that's one of the things they're the angriest about. They love you, Andy. They love having you as a roommate," she said softly.
"Well, I love them, and they're easily the best roommates I've ever had."
"I get why you're moving out, but I don't like it."
"I don't either. But I want 50-60 years of sleeping next to you, Sara. However, we'll just wait and see. I'll talk to my shrink, and you can talk to yours. We need to hear what they have to say."
"What if they think we shouldn't get married?"
"Then we'll follow the Judge and Miss Helen's example," he said smiling.
"I don't think I know that story," she confessed.
"The son of a freighter captain from Bangor was not suitable marriage material for the eldest daughter of Lady Victoria, no matter how driven, talented, and handsome he was. Helen kindly told her mother it was not up to her. If she could marry for love, then her daughter had every intention of doing the same."
Sara giggled, "And just when I thought I could not love Miss Helen any more than I already do."
"Sara, if you'll have me, I will be your husband. All the shrinks and the counselors in the world be damned. The people who love us, and know us best, fought for us today. That tells me everything I need to know."
"Andy, no one has ever fought for me before -- not like this," she said softly.
"Bellissima, I will fight for you as long as there is breath in my body."
She kissed him. "I know. You make me feel so incredibly special."
"I'll have to take a back seat to my sisters and the Birds of Prey, but I'll be there in reserve," he joked.
"Don't forget Syd the Sloth and HayLo," she added. "Andy, Sydney was so mad at me she could not see straight."
"Hmm. I know that she and Cooper are serious," he paused. "We had a great talk about all that last night."
"She's sweet. I wondered what it would take to get her riled up. I'm sad that I found out."
"I'm not sure if she told you, but they actually spent two nights in our bed," he said chuckling.
"That was a good thing you did, my beautiful man," she said sighing. "She's a new woman."
"Love does tend to do that, doesn't it?"
"Baby, your love has changed my life," she said softly.
"Me too, Bellissima. Me too."
Andy reached over and stirred the fire.
"Are you feeling sleepy?" he asked.
"A bit. If you wanted to make love, I know I'd be up for more of that," she replied, smiling.
"I do -- but I had something special planned for you Friday night," he paused. "There's some massage oil in the bathroom. I'll tell you what; we'll lay a towel on the bed. I'll give you a good back massage. If you're awake when I'm done with your neck and back, you can roll over and I'll start on your front. We both know that once your fantastic breasts are in my hands, and I can see those lovely brown eyes of yours, the massage will get interrupted."
She giggled. "I thought you were an ass man."
"Well, I do adore your ass," he said. "But your eyes are my favorite. To be honest, there's not a single part of you that doesn't get me worked up."
