Mike looked up at the stunning blond standing there watching. She smiled, waiting patiently.
“Okay, I think we’re done here today.” He said.
“Thank God!” Ian said sprawled out on the table. “I understand there’s a reason behind all this, but personally I don’t think my body parts are supposed to bend in most of those directions.”
Mike chuckled a little bit as he made some notes. “Just relax there for a few minutes, and I’ll see you again on Wednesday.”
“No offense, but I am so not looking forward to it.” Ian just lay on the table looking up at the ceiling.
“You the ride?” Mike asked her.
She shook her head. “I’m just waiting for a private moment of his time.”
The physical therapist nodded. “I’ll shut the door and give you some.”
Ian didn’t realize she was in the room. She stood there just looking a moment, heart and mind racing in so many directions. Finally she said softly, “Hey, there.”
Although he didn’t move, the blissful smile was immediate. “Saxon…are you my driver?”
“No.” She took a step toward him and put her hand on his chest. “Don’t sit up…unless you feel you have to.”
“Good. I don’t think I can move.”
Saxon pulled up the little stool Mike had been sitting on. “How you feeling?”
“Every corpuscle is screaming ouch, but other than that…”
She smiled. He loved it when she smiled. “I’m sorry for just coming here. I know this isn’t a time you would normally entertain, but I needed to see you.”
Ian reached for her hand and held it. “You know you are always welcome.”
“Ian, I won’t be coming around for a while.”
“Saxon…”
She put her fingers on his lips. “I know, but there are so many things you need to work out. I just think it would be easier if I weren’t anywhere nearby.” She took her fingers away and looked into his eyes. “I know you understand.”
“That doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Ian pushed himself up with a groan, swinging his legs to the floor. “You aren’t still afraid of Clare, are you?”
“Not anymore.” She noticed he never released her hand. “But we all need to be respectful of the situation, and the best thing I can do is maintain a little distance.”
“That will be difficult.” Ian felt the need to break eye contact, closing his eyes and memorizing the warmth of her hand. “Especially when we’ll be working on our little project together.”
“It will be easier for you to focus on other little projects, if my being doesn’t consistently send Clare into orbit.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For the frustration, for the situation, but most of all for the distance.”
“It’s not your fault. I understand.” She said, reaching for his face and gently turning it toward hers. “Ian, you have absolutely no need to apologize.”
“Maybe I was apologizing via surrogate for Clare.”
“She has no need to apologize either.” Saxon read the look on Ian’s face. “I understand her Ian. She made a mistake. She’s scared, angry and frustrated. I would be too, if I were in her shoes.”
“I wish I understood, especially her attitude toward you.”
Saxon smiled. “Ian, Clare knows that what you and I have will always be more solid, more beautiful and more powerful than anything she could ever have with you. We all three know that.”
“But, Saxon…”
“Do something for me?”
“Anything.”
“Love this baby.” She looked deeply into his heart. “No matter what, love this baby and always know that whatever decisions you may make I stand beside you and support you both.” She looked at their clasped hands and then back into Ian’s eyes. “All three of you.”
All Ian could do was nod his head. He swore he could hear her swallow her breath when they let go.
“Saxon?” He stopped her as she turned to go. “No matter what happens…” He hung his head in frustration. “Saxon, I can’t think of anything but clichés. I hate that, but I’ll never forgive myself…”
“Forgive yourself?” She turned to him. “For what?”
“That I never stirred up the courage to at least do this.” Ian took her face with his hands, and brushed a stray bit of blond from her forehead. She smiled and leaned her cheek into the palm of his hand.
It was brief. It was tender. It was just a moment in time when their lips touched. It was just a moment in the revolution of the world. It was the only moment two people had to be in love until it was time for both to go back to the reality that would always keep them apart.
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