Page 87 of Stoker's Serenity

“You’re really serious?” She stared up into my face, searching it, trying to see if I was yanking her chain at all.

“As a heart attack,” I affirmed.

“Even after…” she trailed off and I knew what she meant.

“Maybe even because of it, a little,” I told her truthfully. “I don’t feel like I’m as here for you as I should be, as I could be, even with only a couple of hours of distance. I feel like you, being here, so close to where it all went down is like a poison for your soul. The people, the hate that they give, it’s not allowing you to do the kind of healing you need. You should be somewhere that you can find peace.”

“What if… what if you find out after living with me that you can’t actually stand me?” she asked.

I gave her a look like, ‘Don’t be ridiculous’. “Is that your insecurities talking, or really you?” I asked her.

“Fair point, well made,” she said, her voice husky as I stepped closer and lowered my mouth to hers.

I kissed her softly, and failed at keeping it light. I really did have to go, get back to Ft. Royal, and get my shit together for work the next morning.

“I love you,” I murmured against her mouth, when I was finally able to give her up.

Not forever, just for now,I told myself resolutely but it was still damn near impossible to tear myself away. I missed her already, and she was standing right here.

“Moment by moment, minute by minute, mile by mile,” she whispered, and I smiled.

“That’s right,” I told her.

“I’ll think about it,” she said, and I felt a tightness loosen in my chest. I knew her, and the tone of her voice, the inflection she gave it, the gravitas of those four little words told me I definitely had her on the line, but I wasn’t about to push my luck.

“Lock up behind me,” I said, and she sighed unhappily, but nodded.

“I miss you already,” she said, holding open her front door for me and I had to smile. Her words were the very echo of my thoughts just a moment before.

“I’ll see you soon enough.”

“Promise me you’ll message me when you get home,” she said.

“This is my solemn vow. I will message you when I get back to my place.”

“Thank you,” she said with a smile, and she let me go.

I sighed and went down the steps to go back to my bike, pausing to look up at Mrs. Sedgwick on her front porch.

On impulse, I went to talk to the old woman.

“How you doing, Mrs. Sedgwick?” I asked.

“Oh, I’m fine, I’m fine! How was your weekend?”

“It was good, real good. Say, let me ask you something.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

“Would it be a terrible hardship if I took Serenity to Ft. Royal to live with me?”

“Oh, how wonderful!” She clapped her hands together and laughed, delighted.

I guess that answered my question.

“I don’t think she should stay around here,” she said. “People have a funny way about ‘em, you know? She won’t find happiness around these parts with her past hanging over her head like it does.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more. I’ve asked her, but I don’t know if she’ll say yes. I don’t want to pressure her none.”

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