chfourteen

Greta watched helplessly as Eric slammed in the door. She wrapped her arms around herself, crying softly as she looked up at the stars. Their night-their perfect night-was now ruined. Because of Nicole.
"Eric, wait" she said, turning suddenly. She could see him standing near the doorway, holding his head in his hands. He didn't move at the sound of her voice so she took a step closer, carefully opening the door. "Eric, please...just listen to me for a minute" He kept his back to her and she could see that he was desperately trying to calm himself by controlled breathing.
"Eric, wait, I have a question" she said.
"What?" he finally asked, turning toward her. She jumped slightly at the angry expression on his face but bravely continued.
"Eric, I know you said that you and Nicole did...stuff" she said, forcing the words out of her mouth. "And..."
"I know what you're getting at" he said. "So you don't have to worry because you and I never did anything"
"Eric, that's not what I'm getting at" she said. "I realize that and it's not what I'm concerned about-its you"
"Just say it Greta" he said, impatiently.
"Did you get tested?" she asked. He stared at her.
"Of course, what do you think?" he said. "Just because Nicole has no concern for her body-or mine for that matter-doesn't mean that I don't"
"I'm not implying that you don't" she said. "But your health and safety means the world to me and if anything happened to you...anything to affect you...I would..." She couldn't continue as she broke down crying. He finally then saw how much this was getting to her so he gently touched her arm. She jumped at his touch and looked up into his eyes, finally seeing the concern and compassion that she was used to seeing in them. He opened his arms slightly and she burrowed herself in his chest, sobbing hard.
"Shh, it's ok" he said, gently rubbing her back.
"No it's not" she said, her voice slightly muffled by his shirt. "Eric, you know how I feel about you. It all came out at dinner-you know I love you. And I still love you now even through everything Nicole has put us through. Because I fell in love with the person you became after you went through that heartache. But if I knew she did something to harm you and it did-I don't know what I would do, Eric. I would die..." she stopped again, crying harder.
"I know" he said, softly. "I know...and I understand. But it's ok. I got tested yesterday at the hospital. I'm clean...I'm fine. But it was enough of a scare to teach me a lesson"
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, staring up at him. "Why did you force yourself to go through all this alone? You know I would have been there for you, you know taht I would never make you go through all the worrying and the fear alone"
"I do know that" he said. "And you're right-the waiting and the anticipation was horrible. I can't remember the last time I was that scared. But that's why I didn't want to involve you-because I didn't want you to have to go through it too"
"Eric, I..." she started.
"Shh" he said, holding his finger to her lips. "You don't have to say anything. I knew then that you would have been there for me . There never was a doubt in my mind" He gently brushed the hair that was matted to her face back and kissed her softly on the lips. When they pulled away, she hurridly wiped her tears away.
"Wow, I must look horrible" she said, with a nervous laugh.
"No, you look beautiful...as always" he said. She smiled and put her head down. "Hey" he said, gently lifting her chin back up. "I'm serious. You always look beautiful to me-that's why I love you so much"
"I love you too" she whispered, pulling him in for another hug.
"Greta, I know this is a big shock for you" he said. "I'm sorry I had to dump it on you all at once like this. But I never would want to keep this big of a secret from you-not for long at least"
"I know" she said, quietly.
"And I also realize that it's something you aren't going to be able to accept it right away" he said. "I know it has to hurt you to know that Nicole and I shared something so special. But that was before I met you. If I would have known what she would to do me later, I never would have done it. Especially if I would have known someone as special as you would walk into my life. You do understand it, don't you?"
"Yeah, of course" she said, stepping back a little. "But first...please don't be offended, Eric. But I need a little time alone...to think"
"Of course" he said. "Just please, don't shut me out from all of this"
"I won't" she said, walking backwards through the living room. "I just need...time"
"Alright" he said. "I'll be right here waiting for you whenever you're ready" She turned on her heels and went into the bedroom. She sat down on the edge of her bed, her mind spinning. All the information she had just learned was spinning around in her head, making it impossible to think straight. With a groan, she threw herself back on the bed.
*Greta, you knew that they slept together* she thought to herself. *That's no surprise. It's just such a shock to know that she had such a sordid past. And to think that she would sleep with him after doing that*
"Poor Eric" she suddenly said out loud. *Why am I lying here, feeling sorry for myself, when he's the one that's had to deal with all this? And alone of all things. Why didn't he come to me? I know he said that he didn't want to put me through all the anxiety but still, I'm his girlfriend. I'm the one that's supposed to be there for him, not just him always being there for me* Her eyes quickly scanned the room, desperately searching for the answer she was looking for. But the room offered no such luck. She put her hand to her head-she could feel a tension headache starting. She kicked off her heels and went into the bathroom for some asprin. She poured herself a glass of water and quickly swallowed the two pills. She took another sip of water and her eyes caught a glimpse of their bathing suits hanging on a towel rack to dry. Suddenly, all the memories of their day together came flooding back. Memories of driving the boat together, their splashing wars...and kissing in the water. Everytime they had been alone and within arms reach, they were together, kissing or hugging. Greta had felt the urge to lose control in his arms, the urge to let things happen that had never happened before. She knew she wasn't ready to sleep with him...but maybe she was ready for more.
With a devious grin, she quickly hurried back into the bedroom. She found two scented candles on the nightstand-thank goodness they were in the Honeymoon Suite. She quickly took them back to the bathroom and set them on the edge of the tub. She slid into her bathing suit, carefully hanging up her new dress so it wouldn't wrinkle. Her hair was already up so she just quickly pinned up the long pieces as the tub filled up with water and bubbles. She dimmed the lights and lit the candles before she stepped into the warm water. Her body quickly adjusted to the warmth and she waited patiently till the water came above her shoulders. She positioned herself so that she would be facing the doorway when he entered. She stopped the water flow and took a deep breath.
"Eric" she called out, loud enough that it would carry. "Could you come in here for a minute?"