Love Conquers All



~ Chapter 45 ~
         Gillian was fastening the last button on her shirt when she heard a knock.
	“Ryan,” she called, walking to answer the door, “I’m
almost ready.”
	Opening the door, she saw Jake standing before her.
	“Oh,” she said, awkwardly.  “Hello, Jake.”
	“Ryan’s downstairs.”
	“I, I know. He was up here earlier,” she said, slowly.
	“Yes, I saw him,” he replied, shortly.
	“Listen, Jake -”
	“The reason I came over here was to apologize for my
behavior last night.  It was a long flight, and it was late.  I was very
tired.....” Jake said, trailing off.
	“It’s okay.  I understand.”
	“Well, I am sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to you that
way.”
	A tense silence fell between them.
	“So,” Jake began, “you and Ryan are back together now.”
	“We’re trying to work things out, yes,” she replied. 
	“Gillian, do you really think that’s a good idea - after
everything he put you through before?  Remember, I was there.  I
saw firsthand how much he hurt you.  How can you possibly trust
him again?  And you and I were just going to get married a few
days ago.  Isn’t this moving kind of fast?”
	Gillian had been dreading this moment, but she had known
that, sooner or later, it would come.
	“Jake, I appreciate your concern.  It shows what a good
friend you are.  But, there’s really no need to be worried about
me.”
	“But, Gillian -”
	She knew what she was about to say would tear him apart,
but it seemed there was no avoiding it. 
	“Jake, Ryan and I are happy - for the first time in a long
time.  I respect your feelings, and I understand why you might
think that way. But we are going to be together.”
	“Gillian, if you just hear me out -”
	“I’m sorry, Jake,” Gillian said. “I really am.  I know this
isn’t easy for you.  And I know it’s not fair for you to constantly be
exposed to our relationship.  So, I’m moving out.”
	“Where are you going?”  he asked. “Are you two moving in
together?”
	“No,” she said, tensely. “Ryan lives at the loft, with Scott.
I’m moving back home, to Wildwind.”
	They regarded each other for a moment.  Jake decided to
retreat, seeing that he’d lost this battle, but still determined to win
the war.
	“Okay, Gillian,” he said, turning to walk away. “But I do
hope you’re right about Ryan,” he added, before leaving.
	Gillian closed her eyes and sighed.  She was glad that
confrontation was over.  But something about it left her troubled. 
Somehow, still, it didn’t seem like Jake was accepting it, and she
wondered if she wouldn’t have more troubles with him further
down the line.
	Shrugging off her nervous feelings, she grabbed her purse
and headed toward the stairs.  She found Ryan, as she had
expected, in the living room, talking to Myrtle.
	“Are you ready, baby?” he asked, standing up.
	Ryan regarded her a moment, and his brow furrowed.
	“Is everything all right, Princess?” he asked, concerned.
	Her first instinct was to simply tell him yes, but she was
determined to have no more secrets in their relationship.
	“I just spoke to Jake,” Gillian said, sighing.
	Myrtle took this as her cue to leave the room.
	“I’ll just go put on some coffee,” she said, going into the
kitchen.	
	“What happened?” Ryan asked, warily.
	“Well, he’s not exactly happy with my choice to start
seeing you again.”
	Ryan’s face hardened.  
	“I figured so much after last night.  What did he say to
you?”
	“He just,” Gillian stalled, looking for the best words, “he said that you’d only hurt me,
and he asked how I could possibly trust you again.”
	 Ryan’s heart sank.  He knew full well that, to a certain degree, Gillian had these
same doubts, these same fears.  That’s why she pulled away from him every time they
kissed.  That’s why she still hadn’t told him that she loved him.  She’s built up walls
around herself, and though he’d began to slip through the cracks, she still wasn’t letting
him in.  She was too afraid to give herself to him completely, Ryan knew, and it tore him
apart, because he also knew it was his own fault.
He searched her face for any clues of what she might be thinking.
	“And what did you say to him?” he finally asked.
	“I told him that we’re finally happy,” Gillian said.  “And that you’re the one I
want to be with, the only one.”
	Ryan smiled at her, stroking her check.  In her eyes, he could see that she loved
him.  He could feel it whenever they touched.  And that was fine, for now. As time
passed, she’d find the courage to tell him.
	Ryan placed his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.  He knew that they
weren’t at the same place that had been before - before he’d messed things up.  But, if it
took him forever, they’d get back there again.
	Gillian smiled up at him. 
	“So, do you want to help me move?”
	“You’re moving?” Ryan asked, pulling back to see her face.
	“Back to Wildwind,” Gillian replied.
	“Why, baby?  Don’t you like it here anymore?”	
	“I’ve always felt that Wildwind was my true home.  The only time I really felt at
home here were those few days we lived here together.”
	Ryan held her closer, kissing her check.
	“And,” Gillian continued, “it’s not really fair to Jake, seeing us together all the
time.  Besides, it’s an uncomfortable situation for all of us.”
       “So, we’re going to be together all the time?” Ryan asked, moving his lips towards hers.
“I like the sound of that.”

~ Chapter 46 ~
        “We’re so glad to have you back, Gillian,” Edmund said.
	“Thank you,” she said, looking around her old bedroom at Wildwind.  “It’s good
to be back.  There are so many memories here.”
	“And Ryan is very brave to help you with all your things,” Eugenia added,
laughing.
	Ryan walked into the room, setting the last of Gillian’s boxes on the bed.
	“Brave?” Ryan asked, teasing. “Strong. I have to be very strong to lift all this
stuff!”
	“Actually,” Gillian said, “most of my things are already here.  I didn’t have
enough room to take them all with me.”
	“Well, you’ll have plenty of room now,” Edmund replied.
	“Here everyone is,” Alex said, walking into the room. “Welcome home, Gillian.”
	The two women hugged, happy to see each other.
	“Where you looking for us?” Edmund asked. 
	“Yes,” Alex replied. “Peggy’s ready to serve dinner.”
	“Ryan, you’re welcome to stay, if you’d like,” Edmund added.
	“Thank you,” Ryan said, smiling at Gillian. “I think I will.”
	Gillian walked over to stand beside Ryan, looking into his eyes.  He smiled and
nodded, letting her know their minds were both thinking the same thought.
	“We should probably tell you,” Gillian began, happily, “that we’re getting back
together.”
	“We know,” Edmund said.
	“It’s as clear as day, whenever you look at each other,” Alex explained.
	“My darlings,” Eugenia said, “I always knew you would find your way back to
each other.”
	“Oh, Grandmama,” Gillian said, “you always knew my heart better than I did.”
	“Why there you all are,” Peggy said. “I hate to break up this reunion, but your
supper’s getting cold.”
	Edmund laughed, “We’re sorry, Peggy. We were just coming down.”
	“Oh, I’m glad to see everyone back at Wildwind,” Peggy said. “It was getting
quiet lately - and a little gloomy.  But I think with young love back under our roof, this
old place will come alive again.”
	“It already has,” Eugenia said, squeezing Gillian’s hand.


               ***************************************

	After dinner, Edmund found Ryan and Gillian cuddled together on the back
porch, sharing a lounge chair.  It was a picture perfect moment, and he couldn’t help
smiling as he walked outside to talk to them.
	“Sorry to interrupt,” he said, walking over.
	Ryan and Gillian looked up, both unaware, until that moment, that they weren’t
alone.
	“You’re not interrupting,” Ryan said.
	“Well, I just wanted to discuss something with you,” Edmund said, sitting in the
chair across from them.
	“Is something wrong, Edmund?” Gillian asked.
	“No, no,” he said. “Actually, this is a good surprise.”
	“A surprise? Ryan asked. “What do you mean?”
	“I’m so happy to see you two back together,” Edmund said.  “I know I didn’t
always show it, Ryan, but I really do think you’re a good man - and the best thing that’s
ever happened to Gillian.  But that goes both ways,” he added.
	Ryan looked over at Gillian.
	“I know,” he said.
	“And Peggy’s right,” Edmund continued. “I think you two will bring some
happiness back to Wildwind.  There’s really been a void here since Dimitri died.”
	“We all miss him, Edmund,” Gillian said, quietly.
	“I didn’t come out here to make you sad,” Edmund said. “What I wanted to tell
you is....I want to give you a gift.”
	“A gift?” Gillian asked.  “You’re letting me stay here, in your home. Isn’t that
enough?”
	“I know, during the rape trial, I put you two through hell and back.  I haven’t
forgotten the horrible way I acted,” Edmund said.
	“Hey, it’s all right,” Ryan said. “It was a long time ago.”
	“Still, I know you’ve both been through so much to get back to where you are
today,” Edmund continued. “But you made it, and you’re happy.  I want to help you
celebrate that.”
	Ryan and Gillian smiled blissfully at each other, as he slipped his arm around her
waist.
	“What did you have in mind?” Ryan asked.
	“Well, you are aware that Valentines Day is just around the corner?  I want to
throw you a party, in honor of love, and happy endings, and all the good stuff,” Edmund
said laughing.
	“Okay,” Gillian said, happily. “Thank you, Edmund.”
	“Well, I’ll leave you two alone, so you can say good-night,” Edmund said,
walking back inside.
	Alone on the patio, Ryan pulled Gillian into his arms.  
	“This could take awhile,” he whispered, his lips brushing against hers.

~ Chapter 47 ~
        The next week flew by like a dream, Ryan spending almost all of his time at Wildwind
with Gillian.  She still hadn’t told him that she loved, and she still was holding something
back.  He was painfully aware of that fact.  There were boundaries she had established
that formed her safety net.  She never let their physical relationship advance beyond
kissing, and she never met him alone at the loft, which Ryan suspected was her effort to
ensure that nothing more ever did happen.  But she was happy.  That he was sure of.  The
rest would come with time.
	Ryan and Gillian weren’t trying to hide their relationship, but there were keeping
it private, after their confrontation with Jake.  They both felt, at least for awhile, that they
shouldn’t be too public. After all, she had just, more or less, left Jake at the alter only a
few short weeks back.  But this weekend, on Valentines Day, all that would change. 
	Edmond was throwing them a huge party.  He’d invited the entire town.  Of
course, he hadn’t said it was meant as a celebration of their relationship, but merely a
celebration of love, on the most fitting of days.  So, Ryan and Gillian had chosen that
party as the night when they would no longer keep silent about their feelings for each
other.
	“I’m going to stand in the middle of the ballroom and shout to all of Pine Valley
how much I love you, and how lucky I am,” Ryan had told Gillian, earlier that night.  
	“I’m going to spend the entire party in your arms, dancing the night away!”
Gillian announced.  “It will be just like a fairy tale.”
	“Well, you are a Princess.”
	“I feel like one when I’m with you,” she’d told him, before kissing him
goodnight.
	Now it was 1:30 a.m., and Ryan was sound asleep, dreaming of the party, and the
way it would feel to hold Gillian in his arms all night long.
	
They were dancing the night away, with every eye in Pine Valley watching them
and exclaiming what a perfect couple they were.  Suddenly, a loud pounding came out of
nowhere. He wondered what carpenter would be working on Valentines Day, and in the
middle of a party! Then the noise grew louder, until everyone stopped dancing.

	Then the dream was shattered, as Ryan opened his eyes.  After a few minutes, he
realized the pounding hadn’t been in his dream at all, but was coming from the hallway. 
Someone was knocking on his door.  
	Ryan glanced at the clock before getting out of bed.  He was met in the living
room by a very groggy Scott.
	“Who would come here at two o’clock in the morning?” Scott asked, annoyed.
	“I don’t know,” Ryan replied, starting to get tense.
	He opened the door to find Gillian standing before him, tears streaming down her
face.
	“Oh my God, Gillian, what’s wrong?!” Ryan asked, more than a little terrified.
	“Oh, Ryan,” she said, throwing herself into his arms.

~ Chapter 48 ~
      “Gillian! Gillian!” Ryan said frantically, pulling back to see her
face.  “What’s the matter, baby? Are you hurt? Did someone hurt
you?”
	“No, no,” she said, sniffling and attempting to wipe away her
tears.  
	“Gillian, are you sure,” he asked, still troubled.
	“I’m fine, Ryan.  Really, I am,” Gillian said, trying to sound
reassuring.  
	Looking behind Ryan’s shoulder, Gillian saw Scott standing
in the living room.
	“Oh, Scott, I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to wake you,” she said. 
“You can go back to bed.  Everything’s all right.”
	“Are you sure?” Scott asked.
	“Yes. I’m positive,” she answered, smiling.
	Satisfied that she was okay, Scott returned to his bedroom. 
Ryan studied Gillian, who still stood in the open doorway.
	“Ryan, it’s,” Gillian began, almost to excited to speak, “it’s
Dimitri.”
	Ryan was concerned.  She’d handled Dimitri’s death so well
- almost too well.  He wondered if she wasn’t having some kind of
delayed reaction.
	“Gillian, why don’t you come sit down?” he asked, leading
her towards the couch and shutting the door behind her.
	When Gillian was sitting comfortably on the couch, beside
Ryan, she turned to him, anxiously, and smiled.
	“Dimitri is alive.”
	Of all things, Ryan hadn’t expected to hear her say that.  He
was becoming more and more worried that she was having some
sort of a breakdown.
	“Gillian,” Ryan said, trying to keep his voice calm and
comforting, “Dimitri passed away last fall.  He was sick.  Do you
remember?”
	Gillian looked at him, confused.
	“Of course I remember, Ryan.  But that’s not what I mean.  I
mean that he’s still alive.  He never really died.”
	“Gillian, baby, what makes you say that?” Ryan asked, still
thinking she wasn’t being completely rational.
	“He called Edmund tonight.”
	“What?”
	“Edmund was in his study tonight when he got a telephone
call. It was Dimitri.”
	“Gillian, why -” Ryan said, not knowing what to think. 
“How could -”
	“Dimitri didn’t drown in the water, “Gillian began.  He
faked his own death -”
	“Again?” Ryan interrupted.
	“Well, this time even Alex didn’t know,” she answered.
	“Gillian, are you sure?  How - Where did he call from?”
	“I didn’t believe it at first, either.  I thought Edmund was
going crazy from grief. But I, I spoke to him on the phone.”
	“You talked to Dimitri?
	“For a little while,” Gillian answered.  “When Dimitri was
sick, he heard about a medical center, in France, that offered a
treatment that could help him get better.  Only it’s not approved in
the United States, or in Europe, for that matter.  It’s still
experimental.  So it’s very top-secret.”
	Ryan wondered if she was exaggerating, like when they first
met, and she spoke of the “spy operations” she was involved in, but
he let her go on.
	“He never really thought the treatment would work,
anyway,” Gillian continued.  “And he didn’t want our last memories
of him to be in a hospital bed.  He wanted us to think that, if he had
to die, he did it on his own terms.”
	“So, that’s why he pretended to commit suicide,” Ryan said.
	“Yes, “Gillian answered.  “Only the treatments did work. 
He’s alive, and he’s completely well, again.  He’s coming home,
Ryan!”
	Gillian was ecstatic, and Ryan couldn’t help smiling, as the
truth of her news finally began to sink in.
	“Who knows about this?” he asked.
	“Just Edmund and Alex, and Grandmama.  We’re not telling
anyone but the immediate family.”
	Ryan looked at her and smiled, touched that she again
included him as a member of her family.
	“Everyone must be so happy,” he said.  “Is there anything I
can do?  Do you want me to come back to Wildwind with you?”
	“No, no, you don’t have to,” Gillian said.  “Edmund and
Alex were heading to the airport when I left.”
	She glanced at the clock on the wall, noticing what time it
was.
	“I’m sorry, Ryan, to come over here so late,” she said. “Or
early, depending on how you look at it.  You must’ve been afraid
that something was wrong.....I know I should’ve waited until
morning to tell you, but I, I couldn’t.”
	Ryan looked at his ex-wife and smiled.  She was giddy with
happiness, and it had been a long, long time since he’d seen her that
way.
	“I’m glad you didn’t wait,” he said, rubbing his hand along
her check.  “You can always come to me, anytime.”
	“Thank you, Ryan,” Gillian said, getting up to leave.	
	“Princess,” he said, stopping her, “it’s late.  Do you just want
to stay here?”
	Gillian smiled.
	“I can make it home,” she said.  “Goodnight, Ryan.”
	Just as she was going out the door, she turned around and
walked back over to him, kissing him softly.
	“Thank you for the offer,” she said.
	“I love you,” he told her, smiling.
	“I know.”

~ Chapter 49 ~
     Gillian excitedly went about her rounds at the hospital the next
afternoon.  As she stood in the sun room, sorting magazines, her
mind drifted to when she had knocked on Ryan’s door, early that
morning. A smile spread across her face just thinking about it. He
had thought she was losing her mind, and she was pretty sure she’d
scared him half to death, but he was so sweet about, she thought
happily.  He even offered to have her stay  at his place. 
Contemplating how her morning would’ve been different if she had
taken him up on the offer, her body began to tingle.
	“Keep your mind on your work,” Gillian told herself.  
	“Are you talking to someone, or merely having a
conversation with yourself?” a voice asked, teasing.
	Gillian turned around to find Jake standing there, watching
her.
	“Oh, hello Jake,” she said.  “Sorry, I was just thinking out
loud.” 
	They regarded each other awkwardly.
	“Well,” Gillian said, “I better get back to work.”
	“No,” Jake said, motioning her over to the table. “Sit down,
and we’ll talk awhile.”
	Gillian hesitated.	
	“Doctor’s orders,” he said, sternly.
	“All right,” Gillian agreed, sitting down.
	“How have you been?” he asked her.
	“I’m fine,” she said, carefully. Then, thinking it over, she
added, “I’m happy.”
	“Good.  I’m glad,” Jake replied.  “So, I was sorry to hear
about the party at Wildwind being canceled.”
	“Yes,” Gillian said, finding it odd that he would attend a
party to celebrate her and Ryan’s reunion - of course there was no
way he could’ve known that was why Edmund was putting it on. 
“Stella and Peggy have been making calls all morning.”
	“I hope nothing’s wrong,” Jake said.
	“No, no,” Gillian answered.  “It’s just....a family matter.”
	It was a slap in the face to Jake that she referred to it as a
“family matter”, but yet had no intention of telling him what it was. 
Bitterly, the thought crossed his mind that Ryan probably already
knew.
	“Excuse me, Dr. Martin,” a nurse said. “I need you to look at
these charts for one of your patients.”
	“I’ll just be a second,” Jake said to Gillian, before heading
into the hallway.
	“Happy Valentine’s Day, Princess,” Ryan said, coming up
behind Gillian and handing her a single red rose.
	Surprised, Gillian turned to look at him, warmth spreading
through her body at the sight of him.
	“Hi,” she said.  “You’re back from work early.”
	“Yep,” Ryan replied, pulling her against him.  “I told
everyone at WRCW they’d have to handle things on their own - I
was going to see my girl friend.”	
	“Is that what I am?  Am I your girl friend?” she asked,
happily.
	“You’re the love of my life.”
	Gillian slipped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a
kiss.  Jake, who was just returning to the sun room, stopped dead in
his tracks at the sight of Gillian in Ryan’s arms.  He moved further
against the wall, so they couldn’t see him.
	Ryan slowly broke the kiss, but kept his lips touching hers.
	“I want to take you out tonight.  Remember the Valentine’s
Day we spent at the Hunting Lodge?  I’d like to pick up where we
left off,” he said, enticingly.
	Gillian, who was all too receptive to the idea, bit her lip in
disappointment.
	“I can’t,” she said. “I promised Opal I would work her shift
so she could be at the Glamarama.  They’re booked solid with
apointments.  I’m sorry, Ryan.  I thought since the party was
canceled....”
	“It’s okay, Gilly,” he said, improvising. “We’ll go out after
you get back.”
	“I’m working until 11:00,” Gillian said.
	Ryan frowned.
	“Well, then come by the loft.  Scott’s out of town on a film
assignment.  We’ll have the whole place to ourselves.”
	“All right,” Gillian said, surprising her own self.
	Ryan smiled invitingly.
	“It’s settled then,” he said, pulling her into another kiss.
	Jake, who’d been watching the entire time, walked out into
the sun room.  
	“Hey, Jake,” Ryan said rigidly, still keeping his arm around
Gillian’s waist.
	“Ryan,” Jake said, tensely.
	“Gillian,” Dixie said, joining them.
	“Hello, Dixie.”
	“I just came by for my monthly check-up, but I’m a little bit
early. Do you want to have a cup of coffee with me?” she asked
Gillian.
	Gillian looked at Ryan.
	“Go ahead,” he said, playfully. “I was just in the process of
tearing myself away, anyhow.”
	Dixie laughed.
	“I’ll see you tonight,” Gillian said, kissing Ryan good-bye.
	Dixie and Gillian went off to the cafeteria, leaving Ryan and
Jake alone.
	“So,” Jake began, “you two seem quite....cozy.  Probably
even sleeping over.  Am I right?  Gillian refuses to tell me
anything about the two of you.  I guess she’s just too embarrassed.”
	Ryan’s eyes narrowed.
	“Last I checked, it wasn’t necessary for Gillian to explain
anything to you, least of all her personal relationships,” Ryan said,
coldly.
	“I just wondered if you two were serious,” Jake said.
“Or are you still playing games with her?  What was it that made
you suddenly come back, anyway?  Were you just lonely, or was it
because Hayley’s no longer free?”
	“You bastard,” Ryan said.  
	Jake regarded him smugly, and Ryan realized that he was
falling into his trap.  He was being baited, and Ryan would be
damned if he’d let Jake win.  
	“Hey,” Jake said, “I’m just trying to understand what it is
you’ve got going on.  All I really want to know is how long I’m
going to have to wait around before you’re through with her.  You
know, after you’ve had a few rolls in the hay, for old-times sake.”
	To hell with that, Ryan thought.  He was seconds away from
punching Jake when he stopped himself.  All he could think of was
Gillian, and how disappointed and upset she’d be when she found
out.  
	“You know what?  I’m not going to do this,” Ryan said,
taking a deep breath.    “I’ve tried to get along with you, I have. 
Because I always thought you were a decent guy, and because you
were there for Gillian when she needed someone.”
	“When you weren’t there,” Jake interrupted.
	“I thought we could at least try to be civil to each other - for
Gillian’s sake - but you make that impossible. So from now on, I
really think it’d be best if you stay the hell away from me.  Because
you just started a lot in this room that, given the opportunity, I
would love to finish,” Ryan said, venomously.
	“I look forward to it,” Jake said.
	“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Ryan said, “I really should be leaving.  
I have an evening to plan.  I’ll be sure to give my regards to Gillian
for you.”

~ Chapter 50 ~
       Gillian had been going about her rounds at the hospital with an
unusual amount of excitement.  She couldn’t wait to get to the loft,
back to Ryan.  Her mind was filled with memories of another
Valentines Day, which seemed lifetimes ago, when she and Ryan
were really still strangers, but couldn’t deny the attraction they felt.
	She couldn’t believe all that had happened, how greatly her
life had changed, in the past month.  First her whirlwind courtship
and ill-conceived wedding with Jake, which, she thanked God, Ryan
had shown up in time to stop.  Looking back, she was now aware
that she had known, from the moment she said “yes”, that marrying
Jake was not what she wanted.  But it had taken Ryan’s eleventh
hour declaration of love to finally force her to admit that. 
	Now they were back together, and happy - for the most part. 
She knew she wasn’t being completely fair to Ryan.  He had opened
up his heart to her, admitted and begged forgiveness for every
mistake he’d made.  But, yet, there was still a part of her that
couldn’t let go, couldn’t forget.  It’s not that she was still angry with
Ryan, or that she still blamed him for their relationship falling apart. 
She was just afraid.  
	With Ryan back in her life, she was too happy.  Her life was
too perfect, which was something Gillian had learned the hard way
would never last - at least, up until now.  If truth be known, she was
terrified that, at any moment, Ryan would change his mind and
leave her again.  And if that ever happened, she knew she wouldn’t
be able to handle it.
	Sighing, Gillian shook off these feelings of fear, dismissing
them as her own insecurities.  Ever since the wedding, Ryan had
been courting her non-stop, telling her over and over again how
much he loved her.  He had done nothing to give her the slightest
reason to believe he would ever want to walk away from her again.
	“Gillian,” a voice called out from behind her.
	Immediately recognizing the voice, Gillian stiffened, but put
on her most polite smile before turning around.
	“Hello, Jake,” she said.  “Did you need me for something?”
	“No, no,” he said, tensely.  “You have a phone call.”
	“Oh, well, one of the orderlies could’ve told me,” she said,
cheerfully.  “You really didn’t have to come all the way to find me.”
	“It was my pleasure,” he said, in a way that made Gillian feel
very uncomfortable.
	She walked over towards the circular admissions counter,
with Jake following behind her.	
	“I’ll just take it here,” she said.
	Jake leaned up against the counter, a few feet away from her,
pretending to study a medical chart.
	“Hello, this is Gillian.”
	“Hi, Princess,” Ryan said.
	Jake could tell, from the instantaneous smile that lit up
Gillian’s face, just exactly who was on the phone.
	“Hi,” she said, in reply.  Then, her smile slipping just a little,
“Is something wrong?”
	“No,” he said, his voice taking on a playful tone.  “I couldn’t
resist the urge to call you, just to hear your voice.”
	Gillian laughed, and Jake scowled at whatever Ryan had said
that gained such a reaction.	
	“Oh, really?” she said.
	“Yes, really.  And to tell you that there’s been a little change
in plans.”
	“So, you decided not to wait up for me.”
	“Are you kidding?” Ryan asked.  “I couldn’t sleep if I tried. 
No, I want you to meet me at Wildwind, instead of the loft.”
	“At Wildwind?” Gillian questioned him.  “Are you there
right now?”
	“Yes, I am.  Eugenia and I are having a wonderful time
together.”
	“Okay,” Gillian said, carefully, “then I’ll meet you at
Wildwind.”
	Jake softly cursed under his breath.
	“Things are really slow here, so I should be home in a hour,”
Gillian told Ryan.
	“Good.  I’ll be waiting.”
	“Bye, Ryan.”
	“Good-bye, Princess.”

                *******************************

	“So, my darling,” Eugenia said, watching Ryan sift through
yet another large box, “do you think she bought it?”
	He smiled at her careful use of the American slang phrase.
	“Yes, I think for the most part, she did.”
	“Oh, Ryan, Gillian will be delighted at your surprise, though
I’m not sure about your choice of decorations,” Eugenia said.
	Ryan laughed.
	“You and everyone else here!” he said, lightheartedly.  “I
think I really confused Sammy and Maddie.”
	“You’ve confused me, too!  You’re being so secretive! 
Won’t you at least explain what it all means?” Eugenia asked.
	“It’s something that’s really special between Gillian and I. 
She’ll understand what I’m trying to recreate,” Ryan said.
	“I’m sure she will.  Now, I think I’ll go up to bed.  You and
Gillian have a nice night,” Eugenia said, kissing Ryan on the check.
	“We will,” Ryan said.

~ 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 the 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.”