Long Time Running - By Hannah Foster Page 0,70

minutes soft ruffles of his breath echoed through the room.

Leaning in, she kissed his cheek. "I love you Jack," she whispered. "Always."

Having disentangled herself from his grip, she pulled his blankets up around him and kissed him one more time before padding softly to the door. She stopped short as she saw Eric leaning against the doorframe. He stepped out of the way, letting her pass, before closing the door behind her.

"No epidural?" he asked.

She shook her head. "There was no time. My water broke in the restaurant and by the time we got to the hospital I was already 8 centimeters."

"You're pretty tough," he teased.

Laughing lightly she shook her head. "I didn't feel very tough; it hurt like hell. Ask Sarah - there were several very bad words that flew from lips. I think the nurses wanted to wash my mouth out with soap."

Taking her by the hand, he led her down the hall and back to the living room. Shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other, she smiled nervously.

"I...I should get going, it's late."

"You could stay," he offered without thinking.

Arching her eyebrow, she looked at him curiously. "And where would I sleep?"

"With me," he replied softly.

"Eric," she sighed. "No one understands better than me what an emotional day - week - this has been. It's his birthday and the first one in which you are openly his father. You're...you're feeling something towards me that is rooted in all that today represents-"

"That's not it," he interjected. "I miss you" he said. "And I know...I know there is more that you'd like me to say but I just can't, not yet. But I do miss you. I'll admit that I have missed being with you, after all the sex between us has always been good." Seeing the incredulous look on her face, he amended his statement with a smile. "I mean great."

"Damn straight it is" she told him, a playful smile tugging on the corners of her mouth.

"But it's more than that," he told her more seriously. "I miss having you in my arms. Those nights in the hospital - very little has felt as right as those couple of nights where you were wrapped around me."

With that he tugged her to him as his lips found hers. Nathalie moaned softly in submission as her body instantly melded to his. The sense of peace Nathalie felt when she was with him never ceased to amaze. All the years and all the running and it all boiled down to this. Eric.

His tongue mated with hers as she felt his warm hands slip under her shirt. Instinctively, she pressed herself closer to him and felt his hard length pressed against her belly. He placed gentle kissed across her throat as she began to rock her hips instinctively against him.

"Eric," she broke off, panting heavily. "Sleeping with me because you miss me..." she trailed off, struggling to gain her composure. "That's okay for tonight" she offered, "but what happens tomorrow?

"I'm not sure," he replied honestly.

"Eric, do you like me? I don't mean the woman I used to be but who I am now - a little battered and bruised with a decent sized amount of baggage that I carry with me. Do you like me as a person?"

"Of what I know, I do." He smoothed a stray piece of hair off her cheek. "I see a strong, loving, resilient woman who survived more than any person has to endure." He paused to bring each of hands to his lips for a gentle kiss. "I see the mother of my child who did what she thought best to protect him."

Smiling, she brought his hand to her lips and kissed it in return. "Thank you," she whispered emotionally. "And I like what I know of the man you are now. So let's....let's go on a date. Let's get to know each other again."

"Does this mean...are you staying?"

"In New York? Yes," she chuckled softly at the excitement in his eyes. "Tonight? No."

"Damn." He pulled into his arms, held her tightly to him and nuzzled her neck. "Okay," he agreed. "I'm working tomorrow but let's make plans for Sunday."

"I'd like that." She carefully extricated herself from his arms before her heart overruled her head. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed his cheek. "Thank you for an amazing day."

Having slipped out the door, she leaned against the wall and closed her hand around her locket, exhaling. "I think I might finally be home," she whispered to herself.

Chapter