The Love List by Jean Joachim

couldn't stifle a chuckle. "Get in,
funny man."
    "I'm going. Boy saving people's lives makes
you real pushy."
    Her breath caught in her throat. She turned
her back to him while he slid into the pre-heated bed and pulled
the covers over his body.
    "Feels weird to be dressed and in bed…and
alone."
    Carrie blinked back tears, then went to her
side of the bed and pulled back the covers. She sat down then moved
in and pulled the covers up. "It does feel weird to be in bed and
fully dressed."
    "Come here. If we can't make love, we can
huddle together for warmth."
    Carrie moved over to him. Lying on his side,
he put his arm around her, sliding her right up against him. The
feel of his flannel shirt against her face and his masculine scent
mixed with remnants of his piney aftershave soothed her. She folded
her arm around his chest. Peace, a sense of calm, washed over her,
starting at her head and moving slowly down her body until even her
toes were relaxed. His arm held her close and warm. It was only
natural when she let her guard down, tears would flow.
    A tidal wave of emotion, stuffed away while
she tended to Grey, hit her. Like a fist around her heart, the
sensation rose to her throat, choking her. She sobbed into his
chest, gasping for air, shuddering against him while tears streamed
down her cheeks. He tightened his grip.
    "Delayed reaction?"
    She nodded, trying to catch her breath.
    "I'm not leaving you now…not ever," he
whispered, his lips against her hair.
    She struggled to regain control while he held
her silently. Every shudder that wracked her body reverberated
through his, too. In a few minutes, the wave passed through her and
calm was restored. She wiped her face with her hand while reaching
for a tissue on the nightstand.
    "I love you so much," her voice caught, "I
couldn't stand to lose you."
    "I love you, too, honey. I was scared when
you were lying down on the ice."
    "You? I was so afraid. I don't remember ever
being as scared as I was today. When you fell through that ice, I
thought…I thought…oh, God, it was horrible." She closed her eyes
and put her hand over her face.
    He reached down gently and removed her
hand.
    "But it's over and I'm still here…and I'm
okay and you're okay. You were so brave. I'm proud...you didn't
fall apart. You saved me."
    A small smile tugged at the corners of her
mouth. She looked up and noticed his eyes were fluttering then they
closed. Her hand on his chest rose and fell with his even
breathing. He was asleep.
     
    ****
     
    Slowly she peeled back the covers and eased
out of bed. She replaced the blanket, snugging it up around his
chest. Carrie tiptoed out of the room, closing the door most of the
way before she headed downstairs. After two steps, the sound of two
voices stopped her in her tracks. At first she couldn't make out
Fran's low tone but she identified Emma's higher pitched voice
right away.
    "I'm so sorry, Fran. You know I'd never do
anything to hurt Grey."
    "But you did, didn't you?" Fran insisted.
    "I didn't mean to. I…I…wasn't thinking. I
love him, you know I do."
    "Emma, this time you went too far. Dear, you
must accept that Grey has made his choice of a wife…he loves her
and only her. Please, Emma."
    "I love Matt but I can still love Grey,
too."
    "You can't. Grey has made a commitment. He's
picked a woman to be his partner…his wife. He's made an excellent
choice. He's happy, dear. Why can't you turn your attention to Matt
and let Grey lead his life?"
    "He loves me, I know he does."
    "If he had much feeling for you before…which
I'm sure was more brotherly than anything else…I doubt he even has
that now. Can't you see how much he loves Carrie? And she loves him
the same."
    "Do you think he's mad at me?"
    "Undoubtedly."
    "Is there anything I can do?"
    "Accept him…and her. We have taken her as
family already. We like her Emma and will support her at every
turn."
    A smile stretched across Carrie's face and
she hugged herself.
    "So there's nothing I can