Love Conquers All



~ Chapter 51 ~ 
   It was 11:15 p.m. when Ryan heard Gillian’s key turning in the
door.  He had put back all the boxes an hour ago, anticipating
her arrival, and determined not to reveal his surprise until the
perfect moment.
	Gillian walked through the entrance way into
Wildwind’s living room.  At the hospital, she had changed out
of her uniform, and was wearing a black, fitted sweater and a
short, red skirt.  Seeing Ryan sitting on the couch, she smiled.
	“Hi, Princess,” he said, taking in her appearance from
head to toe.
	“Hi,” Gillian replied, walking over to couch to sit beside
him.
	She yawned as she sank into the plush fabric.
	“Long day at work?” Ryan asked, laughing.
	Gillian smiled, watching him watch her.  He looked
gorgeous in his simple white shirt and black dress pants.	
	“I just kept thinking about coming home to you,” she
said, falling into his arms.
	Ryan kissed her softly.
	“So why did you want to meet me here?” Gillian asked,
after breaking the kiss.  “Did Scott come back early?”
	“No, no, he won’t be back for a few more days. 
Actually,” he began, taking her hand.
	“What?” she asked.  “What are you being so mysterious
about?”
	“I have a surprise for you.”
	“I love surprises.”
	“Good, because this one is extra special,” Ryan said,
playing with her hand.
	“Okay,” she said, smiling. “What is it?”
	“Well, I know how much you were looking forward to
the party tonight.”
	“I was,” Gillian said.  “But how could I possibly be
disappointed with Dimitri coming home?  That must be the best
reason to ever cancel a party.”
	“True.  But I know how special you wanted tonight to be
for us.  And I wanted that, too.  So,” Ryan said, brushing the
back of his hand along her check, “close your eyes.”
	Smiling in anticipation, Gillian did as he asked.
	“Okay, now think back on our happiest time together,”
Ryan instructed her.
	“You mean, besides right now,” she said, opening her
eyes.
	Ryan smiled, rewarding her with a kiss.
	“Yes, besides right now,” he said.
	Gillian closed her eyes again, and Ryan could see the
emotions play across her face as she looked back over her
memories of their life together.
	“Are you remembering?” he asked her, knowing full
well by the smile on her face that she was.
	“Yes,” she answered him, sighing.
	“Hold on to that memory.  Now,” Ryan said, taking her
hands and guiding her off the couch, “keep your eyes closed,
and come with me.”
	Ryan led Gillian through the doors, and down the
hallways of Wildwind, until Gillian had no idea where she was. 
Both laughing with delight, they continued their journey, until
Ryan finally stopped. 
	“Are we here?” Gillian asked, giddily.
	“Shhhh,” Ryan said, placing his finger on her lips. 
“There’s one more thing I need to say before I show you my
surprise.”
	“What?” she asked, softly, obediently keeping her eyes
closed.
	“I know that, when we were apart, we lost out on a lot of
time,” Ryan began. “We missed the opportunity to share so
many special moments together.”
	Gillian frowned.
	“Let’s not talk about the time we’ve lost, Ryan.  We
have right now.  That’s all that matters,” Gillian said, gently.
	“Yes, we do have right now.  And I wouldn’t trade it for
anything in the world.  But I want to make up for that lost time,
Gillian.  I want to make it up to you - starting now.”
	Ryan led Gillian forward into a new room.  Gillian
could feel the change as the carpeting under her feet
disappeared, and her heels began to click on the floor as she
walked forward.  
	“Are you still holding on to that memory?” Ryan asked
her.
	“Yes,” she said, smiling.
	“Okay.  Open your eyes.”

~ Chapter 52 ~ 
     Gillian opened her eyes to find herself in Wildwind’s grand
ballroom, where the Crystal Ball was always held.  Only, now,
the room was decorated as a complete winter wonderland.  
	The chandeliers that hung from the ceiling were all
turned off, and the only light came from the hundreds of crystal,
Christmas lights that were strung about the room.  All along the
walls, holly hung intertwined with the lights and, in the back
corner of the room, a Christmas tree stood.  
	The entire room was blanketed in a thin layer of snow,
like Gillian had seen at the Pine Valley Mall, when she had
gone with Sammy and Maddie to see Santa Claus.  But where
the Christmas tree stood, the “snow” was piled high, in a light
and fluffy mound that was reminiscent of a cloud in a summer
sky.  
	The only part of the room that wasn’t covered in snow
was where Gillian and Ryan stood right now.  He had left the
area from the ballroom’s doors to the middle of the floor
uncovered, so they could dance.  And, over the doorway that led
to the outside patio, a bouquet of mistletoe hung.  
	Gillian was completely amazed by it all, as she looked
about the room.  Dazed, she turned to Ryan, who stood smiling
beside her, watching her take in her surroundings.
	“Happy Valentines Day, Princess,” he said.  “Or should
I say, Merry Christmas.”
	Gillian opened her mouth to reply, but no words came
out.
	Ryan laughed, well aware that “speechless” was
something Gillian rarely was.
	“You once gave me the perfect Christmas,” he
explained.  “Now, I’m returning the favor.”
	Finally finding her voice, Gillian asked, “How did you?  When?”
	“I wanted us to have a special night,” Ryan said.  “After
I left the hospital, this afternoon, I started thinking back over
the times we shared, and Christmas Eve kept coming back into
my mind.  This past Christmas, when we were apart, I -- I ached
for you, Gillian.  So, I just got to thinking, why wait another
year to make it right?”
	“How did you know that was the moment I was thinking
of, too?” Gillian asked, with tears in her eyes.
	“Because you’re a part of me, just as much as I’m a part
of you.  We know each other, completely.”
	Gillian walked about the room, looking at every detail
more closely, and seeing that Ryan had, indeed, made sure
everything was perfect.  She turned around to say something to
him, and saw that he was no longer behind her.  Looking about,
she found him on the other side of the room, with a bottle of
champagne and two glasses that he had retrieved from some
unknown location.  Walking up to her, he handed her a glass.
	Gillian continued her journey, this time, with Ryan at
her side.  She finally stopped before the patio doors.
	“Mistletoe,” she said, looking up and smiling.  “I
remember asking you what it was - and how well you taught
me.”
	Ryan took the glass from her hand, and along with his,
set it on the floor, beside them.  With his hands now free, he
placed them around her waist, pulling her body against his.
	“That,” he said, “was a lesson that lasted well into the
night.”
	Looking into his eyes, she placed her hands on his chest.
	“Our ‘lessons’ always do,” she replied.
	He kissed her then, deeply and sensuously, his tongue
teasing hers.  She leaned into him, sliding her arms up around
his neck, and breathlessly returning the kiss.  In response, Ryan
held her more tightly against him.
	He wanted nothing more than to take her upstairs and
exhaustively make up for all their lost time.  And, Ryan knew,
if they continued this for much longer, Gillian wouldn’t say no. 
But, he also knew, in her heart, she wasn’t really ready to say
yes.  She hadn’t even told him that she loved him yet.  Ryan
knew that she did, but the simple fact that she didn’t trust him
enough to tell him so herself spoke volumes.  
	He wanted to make love to her desperately, but not like
this.  He hadn’t arranged this night to seduce her, but to show
her how much he really did love her.  And he needed her to
know that.
	Ryan broke the kiss, looking into Gillian’s eyes.  She
regarded him, silently, confused at why he’d stopped.
	“Dance with me?” he asked.
	“Anytime.”
	Ryan walked across the room, disappearing for a
moment behind the Christmas tree.  Then, the room was filled
with soft music. 
	“What?” Gillian teased.  “No Christmas carols?” 
	Ryan laughed.
	“I was already driving the staff crazy, asking for all the
Christmas decorations.  I swear they all think I’ve gone mad. 
But, they made me promise to draw the line at Christmas
music.”
	By then, Ryan was back at Gillian’s side.  Reaching out,
he pulled her to him, gently stroking her waist.
	“I love you,” he said.
	Gillian kissed him softly, allowing herself to get lost in
the music, as she danced check to check with Ryan.
	
	I’m sure you’ve heard these words before.
	And I know it’s hard for you to trust them once more.
	You’re afraid it all might end.
	And a broken heart is scared of breaking again.

	But you’ve got to believe me, I’m never leaving.
	You’ll never cry as long as I am there.
	And I will always be there.
	You will never be without love.
	
	Listening to the lyrics, Gillian looked up at him,
searching his eyes.  Ryan wordlessly stroked her check, hoping
that his message would get across.  Sighing, Gillian rested her
head on his shoulder, surrendering to the magic of the moment.

	When winter comes in summer.
	When there’s no more forever.
	When lies become the truth.
	Oh, you know, then baby, 
	That’s when I’ll stop loving you.

	Gillian understood what Ryan was trying to say, and
why he had planned this night.  He could sense that she was
holding back, and he wanted her to know that it was safe to
open her heart to him.  
	Hoping to get her own message across, Gillian lifted her
head from his shoulder and began slowly placing a trail of
kisses along Ryan’s neck.

	As long as sunlight lights the sky,
	The light of love will be found in these eyes of mine.
	And I will shine that light for you.
	You’re the only one I’ll ever give this heart to.

	Gillian pulled back to look into Ryan’s eyes, and he met
her gaze with a hungry look.  Bending, he brushed his lips
across her neck, thoroughly kissing her there, and returning the
favor.

	
	What I’m trying to say is nothing will change this.
	There’ll be no time you won’t find me there.
	‘Cause I will always be there.
	You will always have all my love.
	
	Finally, moving from her neck, he kissed her lips, and
she eagerly responded.

	When this world doesn’t turn anymore.
	When the stars all decide to stop shining.
	‘Til then, I’m gonna be by your side.
	I’m gonna be loving you forever.
	Every day of my life, baby.

	Gillian broke the kiss first, nuzzling his ear.
	“Come with me,” she whispered.


“That’s When I’ll Stop Loving You”
*NSYNC
~ Chapter 53 ~
       Ryan retrieved their champagne glasses from the ballroom
floor, and followed Gillian over to the Christmas tree.  Sighing,
she lie down in the fluffy snow, looking up at Ryan, and silently
inviting him to join her.  Finding a patch of stable ground, he
set the glasses down, and lie beside her, propping himself up on
his elbow.
	Gillian smiled up at him, and he couldn’t resist kissing
her.
	“I have another surprise for you,” he said, their lips still
touching.  “Actually, this is a gift.”
	Gillian sat up, watching Ryan reach into the Christmas
tree, and pull out a wrapped box.  He handed it to her, and she
carefully unwrapped it, opening the box underneath.  Inside was
a thin, golden necklace with three diamonds in the center. 
Shocked, Gillian looked up at Ryan.
	“I thought it was kind of symbolic,” he explained. 
“When we got married, that was our first try.  Then, Christmas
Eve was our second chance.  Now, it’s our third.  And, you
know, they say, the third time’s the charm.”
	“It’s beautiful,” Gillian said, her heart in her eyes.
	Ryan picked up the necklace, gently brushing aside
Gillian’s hair, and put it on for her.  Bending, he followed the
path of the necklace, until he reached her throat.  Then, he
gently laid her down on the snow.
	There were tears in her eyes as she looked up at him.
	“I believe you,” she said.
	Ryan looked at her, questioningly.
	“You said that you love me,” she explained, “and I
believe you.  Before, I -- I wasn’t sure.  I thought that, maybe,
you were just confused.  That seeing me with Jake had made
you think you wanted me, but once you had me, once I was
yours again, you’d change your mind, and you wouldn’t want
me anymore.”
	Two tears slipped down from her eyes, and Ryan wiped
them away.  Then he took her hands in his.
        “Gillian,” he said, “I love you.  Of course, I love you.  I love
you so much that it hurts.  I -- I look at you, and my heart is so
full of love, it feels like it might burst.  And I, I didn’t think I
needed to tell you how much I want you.  I thought it was
obvious every time I’m in the same room with you.  God, I can
hardly keep my hands off you.  I go half crazy wanting you.  But
it’s, it’s more than that.  I need you.  I need you, just to be able
to breathe.  I need you to be a part of my life - or I have no life. 
And I’ve never needed anything before.”
	Ryan faltered, unable to find the words to express to her
how deeply he felt.
	“I just, I love you,” he said.  “I don’t think I can ever
explain to you how much.  It’s overpowering, and it’s
overwhelming - but it’s real.  And it’s never going to go away. 
Iam never going to go away.”
	He looked down at Gillian.
	“Do you believe me, Princess?”
	“Yes,” she replied, softly.  
	“Tell me what you’re thinking,” Ryan said.
	“I, I love you.”
	Stunned, Ryan tightened his grip on her hands.
	“Gillian -”
	“I love you.  I was afraid to say it before.  I was afraid to
tell you.  I thought admitting it would leave me too vulnerable. 
But I’m not afraid anymore,” she told him.  	“Ryan, I always
loved you.  Always.  From the moment I first saw you, I started
slowly falling in love with you.  From the first time you touched
me, it was unlike anything I’d ever known.  When we were
divorced, and when I was with Jake, I never stopped loving -
never stopped wanting you.”  
	Tears were coming down Gillian’s face, and Ryan
kissed them away.
	“Come here,” he said softly, gathering her to him, and
turning onto his back.  
	Gillian rested her head on his chest, sighing.
	“I missed lying in your arms,” she said.
	“I missed holding you,” he replied.  “But, I promise, I’m
never going to let go again.”
	Ryan stroked her hair, whispering words of love, until
she fell asleep.  He lie awake for a while, listening to her
breathe, until the sound ultimately lulled him to sleep.
	Later that night, Stella came into the ballroom, looking
for Gillian, but found Peggy instead.  She had come upon the
sleeping pair, a few minutes earlier, and had covered them with
a blanket.
	“What is it, Stella?” Peggy asked.
	“Mr. Edmond is on the phone.  He asked to speak to
Miss. Gillian.”
	Peggy looked back over at Gillian, cuddled up in Ryan’s
arms.  She had watched the two of them since they first got
married.  She’d seen them love one another - and hurt one
another.  But she knew that, even after all this time, they
belonged together.  And she was determined to let nothing
destroy their long earned moment of peace.
       “I’ll take the phone call,” she told Stella.  “I’ll tell
Eddie, he’ll just have to wait ‘til morning.”

~ Chapter 54 ~
       Sometime around dawn, Gillian began to stir in Ryan’s arms, and
the two woke up.  After kissing Gillian good-bye, Ryan headed
home to shower and change, and get an early start at work, and
Gillian headed back upstairs to her bedroom.  
	Several hours later, she finally woke up again, yawning and
stretching in her bed in an endeavor to get up. As if right on cue,
there was a knock at her door.
	“Come in,” she said.
	“Gillian, darling,” Peggy said, “I brought you your
breakfast.”
	“Thank you, Peggy.  But you didn’t have to bring it up to
my room.”
	“Oh, it was my pleasure.  Besides, you already missed
breakfast downstairs.”
	“What time is it?” Gillian asked.
	“It’s well after eleven.”
	Gillian rubbed her eyes, glancing towards the clock.
	“I can hardly remember the last time I slept so long,”
Gillian said, slightly embarrassed.
	“So then you slept well?” Peggy asked, remembering the
angelic imagine of Gillian sleeping peacefully in Ryan’s arms she
had witnessed the night before.
	“Oh, yes,” Gillian replied, smiling.
	“That’s reminds me, Eddie called last night.”
	“He did?”
	“Yes,” Peggy said. “He asked to speak to you, but I told
him that you and Ryan were already asleep.”
	Gillian blushed.
	“You could’ve interrupted us.  I mean, we weren’t in the
middle of anything, or -”
	Flustered, Gillian finally cut herself off.
	“You looked so peaceful and contented,” Peggy said,
smiling at Gillian’s embarrassment, “I didn’t want to disturb you. 
But don’t worry, Eddie said he would call again sometime this
morning.”
	“Thank you, Peggy - for everything,” Gillian said.
	Peggy set the breakfast tray in front of Gillian.
	“No need to thank me, dear.  I was happy to do it.”
	She started to leave, but stopped at the door, looking
around playfully.
	“Oh, and there was another call for you this morning, from
Ryan.”
	“There was?” Gillian said, biting her lip to hold back a
smile.
	“Yes, but he insisted that no one wake you.”
	“Did he leave a message?”
	“He said to have you call him later this afternoon.”
	“All right, Peggy.  Thank you.”
	Left alone in the room, Gillian quickly began gulping down
her breakfast.  She had just finished showering and dressing when
she heard the phone ring.  Guessing that it was either Edmund or
Ryan, she answered it.
	“Hello?”
	“Hello, Gillian.  How are you?”
	“Edmund, how is everything there?” Gillian asked,
alarmed.  “How is Dimitri?”
	“We’re all fine.  We’re all fine,” he said, trying to calm
her.
	“Thank God.  I was afraid this was all a little too good to
be true, and Dimitri might have a relapse.”
	“Gillian, I promise you, he’s as healthy as you and I.  I’d let
you talk to him, but he’s in with Alex now, and -”
	“Oh, no, no, Edmund. That’s all right.  I don’t want to
interrupt.”
	“And how about you?” Edmund asked, teasing.  “How are
you doing?  I heard you had quite a time last night.  I was sorry to
miss speaking to you, but from what Peggy tells me, you didn’t
mind.”
	“We never told Peggy not to -” Gillian began in their
defense.  “It’s not like we were -”
	Finally she gave up, relinquishing her last bits of pride.
	“Yes,” she said. “We had a wonderful night.”
	“And he’s treating you right this time?” Edmund asked,
with the fatherly concern that had begun to grow since Dimitri’s
“death”.
	“Yes,” Gillian said, smiling,” he’s treating me like - like a
princess.” 
	Edmund laughed.
	“Good,” he said.  “Listen, I better let you go now. We have
a million things to do here - that’s why I called you.  To let you
know that we’re all coming home, tomorrow night.”
	“Edmund, that’s fantastic! I’m so glad.”
	“We all are,” he replied. “I will see you then, okay?”
	“All right. Good-bye.”
	Three hours later, Gillian was sitting in Edmund’s study,
absently flipping through a magazine.  Looking up, she glanced at
the phone, then back over at her magazine.  Finally she decided not
to fight the urge any longer, and she picked up the phone.
	“Hello?” Ryan answered.
	“I missed you.”
	“Princess,”  he said, playfully, “it’s only been a few hours
since you were in my arms.  I think you’re starting to form an
addiction.”
	Gillian smiled, realizing it was pointless to deny it.  Ryan
could see through to her very soul.
	“I think I am,” she said.
	“I hope you are,” he said, flirtatiously.  “I could use that to
my advantage.”
	“I was watching your show earlier.  It was fantastic, as
always,” Gillian told him.  “Do you know I used to watch the show
when we were apart?  I knew you were never on camera, but it still
made me feel closer to you.”
	“God, Gillian,” Ryan said, suddenly serious, “if I had only
known.  I was sick with misery.  There I was, being handed this
dream job, and I didn’t even enjoy it.  I couldn’t enjoy anything!  I
was half crazy longing for you.  If I knew you were feeling the
same way.......Just think of all the lost time we could’ve had.”
	“I know, Ryan.  But it’s no use mourning lost time and
opportunities we can never have back.  We’re happy now,” Gillian
stated simply.
	“Yes, we are.”
	“Guess what?” Gillian said, deciding to change the serious
tone their conversation had taken.
	“What?” Ryan asked, playfully following suit.
	“I got a call this morning from Edmund.  He said they’re
coming home tomorrow night - Dimitri included.”
	“Princess, that’s wonderful!”  Ryan said.  “I’m so happy for
you, and for me, too.  I remember, just before the divorce, Dimitri
tried to convince me to change my mind but, of course, I wouldn’t
listen.  I wish I had.”
	“Dimitri is a wise man,” Gillian said.  “He always believed
in second chances - and third, and fourth.”
	They both laughed, thinking back on how many tries it had
taken them to get it right.
	“And,” Gillian continued, “lucky for you, I do, too.”
	“Hey, I thought we were going to forget all those things we
couldn’t change!” Ryan said, pretending to be hurt.
	“We are,” she said, smiling.  “I was just teasing you.”
	“I think that’s my job, to tease you,” Ryan said.
	He glanced around his office at WRCW.
	“Listen, I’m going to be leaving in a couple more hours. 
Why don’t we go out tonight to celebrate?”
	“All right,” Gillian said, happily accepting.
	“We’ll go to the Valley Inn.”
	“Perfect,” Gillian said, sighing.  “Can it get any better than
this?”
	“I can think of a few ways,” Ryan said, mischievously.  
“But we can explore them tonight.”

~ Chapter 55 ~
       Ryan and Gillian stood in the lounge at the Valley Inn,
regarding each other.
	“God, you look beautiful,” Ryan said, his jaw clenching
as he took in her appearance from head to toe.
	She was wearing an off the shoulder, sapphire dress,
with three quarter length sleeves and a deep v-neck.  The dress
stopped an inch and a half above her knee, leaving an ample
expanse of leg bare.  Her hair was in a simple upsweep, and she
kept her jewelry minimal, wearing only the necklace Ryan had
given her the night before, along with matching diamond
earrings.
	Laughing, Gillian responded, “I think you’ve said that
already - about a hundred times.”
	Ryan smiled, and Gillian melted.
	“I can’t help it,” he said.  “I have a weakness.”
	“So do I,” Gillian replied.
	She looked over at Ryan, who was dressed in fitted,
black pants and a maroon shirt, and couldn’t help thinking she
must be the envy of every woman in town.
	He smiled warmly at her.	
	“Are you ready for dinner?” he asked.
	“Absolutely,” Gillian said.  “I’m starving.”
	Ryan led her into the dining room and over to a table. 
They had an enjoyable dinner, and by the end of the meal, their
chairs were pushed closely together.  
	“Here you go, baby,” Ryan said, feeding Gillian his last
bite of pasta.
	Giggling, Gillian glanced at the couple next to them who
were watching them intently.
	“I think we’re making a spectacle of ourselves,” she
said, happily.
	“Oh, let them look,” Ryan replied.  “They just can see
how much in love we are and it’s unnerving them.”
	Ryan and Gillian continued their flirtatious behavior as
the waiter cleared away their plates and took their dessert
orders, unaware that an increasingly aggravated Jake had been
watching them from across the room for quite some time.
	“Would you like some more?” Ryan asked, pouring
Gillian another glass of champagne.
	“I’m beginning to think your intentions aren’t entirely
honorable,” Gillian said, playfully.
	Ryan smiled at her easily, allowing his eyes to follow
the trail of her plunging neckline.
	“I’m beginning to think so, too,” he said, his mouth
going dry.
	The waiter returned, setting their desserts before them. 
Gillian sampled a bite of hers, sighing.
	“Oh, this is heavenly,” she said.
	Ryan watched the look of pleasure play across her face,
and he remembered other, less innocent times when he had
caused that same look to cross her face, only in a more intense
form.
	“Here,” he said, offering her a sample of his chocolate
mousse, “try this.”
	After Gillian finished her spoonful, Ryan drew her in for
a long, slow kiss.  He was still able to taste the chocolate on her
lips, which made it all the more delectable to him.
	“Why, hello, Gillian,” Jake said, now standing before
their table. 
	Ryan and Gillian looked up at the interruption, both
irritated by who they found.
	“Hello, Jake,” Gillian said, trying to be polite.
	“I was surprised to see you here,” Jake continued,
ignoring the dirty looks Ryan was giving him.  “I’d thought,
with all your family problems, you’d be staying close to home -
with the people who love you.”
	While Gillian, unlike Ryan, hadn’t yet come to realize
the entirety of the animosities Jake held against her ex-husband,
she did not miss the barb he had just shot at Ryan.
	“Jake, my family isn’t actually having any ‘problems’,”
she told him, earnestly.  “It’s really nothing to be worried about. 
I hope you weren’t.”
	Gillian smiled politely at Jake, then directing her
attention at Ryan, gave him a smile that was much more
personal.  
	“As far as being with the people who love me,” she
continued, “I’m with Ryan, so that certainly qualifies.”
	“Well,” Jake said, bitterly, “as a friend, I only think it’s
fair to warn you that you two are making quite a scene.”
	“Oh, there’s no need to worry, Jake,” Ryan said,
speaking for the first time since the encounter began.  “We were
just leaving.  We’re on our way back to the loft, aren’t we,
Gillian?”
	“Uh, yes,” Gillian answered, though they hadn’t
previously discussed it. “Yes, we are.”
	Ryan stood up, leaving money on the table for the bill. 
Gillian turned to Jake one last time.
	“Goodbye, Jake,” she said.
	“You ready?” Ryan asked, turning to Gillian.
	“Yes.”
	At her response, Ryan placed his hand on the small of
her back, leading Gillian out of the room.