| "Tay....jeez...I am FINE. I can get in the door on my own..." Jamie smiled up at Taylor to take the sting out of her words. He was being very sweet, helping her out of the car and staying close to her side as they walked up the narrow strip of concrete between her garage apartment and her father's house. "Lemme at least unlock it..." he said quickly and had the door open before she could open her mouth to protest. Taylor followed her inside, closing the door gently behind them. He smiled when Jamie grabbed his hand and squeezed it, hard. Her chest heaved as she swallowed back tears. The apartment was filled with flowers, the biggest bouquet right in the middle of the small table in the little kitchen area. "This is too much..." she gasped, wiping her eyes with the back of her free hand. Her hand shook as she took the little card out of the plastic holder and opened it. We're glad you are home in one piece, missy. Don't you ever scare us like that again. We love you, Daddy and Uncle Mongo "God..." Jamie sniffled and wiped both eyes. "I don't deserve this." she muttered. "Jame, your dad loves you. So does your uncle. Yeah, I could choke you for taking off on your bike like that... but I am glad you're okay, Jame. I was so afraid you wouldn't be... " Taylor told her, his voice lowering with each phrase. He stroked her cheek as he looked into her deep amber eyes, shimmering with more unshed tears. "I love you, Jame." he whispered, his own throat closing. "Tay, don't..." she closed her eyes tight and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry." she said, laying her free hand on his cheek. Taylor reached down and pulled her close, making sure not to bump her cast arm. He kissed the top of her head as she wrapped her arm around his waist, breathing in the scent of her hair as he stroked it. "Jame?" he called to her, his voice still low. "Hmm?" she sniffled again and pressed herself closer to him. "Your leg baby... come on..." he urged and led her to the futon. Once he had them both settled comfortably, he kissed the top of her head again. "Are you sore?" he asked as he watched their sock feet intertwine on the coffee table. "Not my leg, but my arm is. Nothing a big, fat vicatin won't cure." she chuckled. Taylor grinned and moved himself off the futon to get her medicine and a glass of water, while Jamie watched him, amazed. "What?" Taylor asked as he handed her the pill and a glass of water. "Nothing." she answered. She quickly swallowed the pill and drank the water. She grabbed Taylor's wrist when he moved to take the her glass and put it in the sink. "Tay." she looked up into questioning blue eyes. "Just leave it." she whispered, and he set the glass down on the coffee table. Jamie opened her mouth and shut it again, quickly, unsure of where to begin or what exactly she wanted to say to him. "What is it, Jame?" he urged sitting down next to her. Jamie reached up to stroke his cheek again and tried to smile, but she felt more tears welling up. Taylor captured her hand in his and brought it to his lips. "What's the matter baby?" he asked and that just made the tears flow. "I can't even say I am sorry enough, Tay." she blurted. "God. You're still here. I don't understand... I was such a bitch. I left you standing there and you came after me. I don't understand how you could..." she wiped her cheeks and took another deep breath. "I am sorry, Tay." she finished as he continued to kiss her hand and stroke the back of it. "Jamie, I love you. I just..." "Tay... just wait..." she interrupted. "Listen to me." she told him. He pressed his lips against her knuckles and waited. "Thank you for not holding the fact that I was being a total bitch, and completely evil to you on more than one occasion against me. And for staying." She took another deep breath. "I don't know what happened or how it did so damn fast..." she continued quickly, for fear she may not have the guts to tell him now, "but I love you. I love you, Taylor." Jamie looked into his eyes to make sure he heard and understood that she was serious and not just grateful that he was there when she woke up, and glad that he'd followed her. She knew very well that if Taylor had not come after her she would most likely be dead, though he never mentioned the probability. "I love you." she stated again, unable to tear her gaze from his. |