Holding On To A Promise

Chapter Twenty

Sanem couldn't believe her ears as Can told her about the conversation he had with her parents.  They had placed a blanket on the ground and stretched out to enjoy their pizza. Can told her every detail about the meeting with Mevkibe and Nihat, even telling her how scared he was to even start the conversation, " I told them everything Sanem, all my feelings and all my shortcomings, how I had refused to listen to you, and most of all had how I felt the past year knowing I had made the biggest mistake of my life." Sanem ran her fingers through his beard, as she spoke, seeing the tears coat his eyes, " Can we both made mistakes, it wasn't just you. I know my fault in all of this as well, lets learn from all of this and promise not to allow it to happen again." Can smiled, " I agree, so let's finish up here and go to the agency." He replied, anxious to make it official to everyone that they were together once again.

 He quickly leaned across the blanket and covered her lips with his. The action shocked her, but she didn't pull away, she answered the kiss with excitement. The next words came as a shock to her, " Sanem, why wait, lets get married. I want that more than anything, let's finish what we had started before. My commitment is to you and it will be forever. What do you say, say Yes, and we can make the announcement when we go to the agency." His eyes were dancing with happiness, as he held on tightly to her hand. 

A spark of excitement tingled through her body, much like she had felt the first time they had spent the night together. Although perfectly innocent, that night in the sleeping bag in the forest, with him lying next to her, had been anything but innocent to her. It had awakened the first spark of desire inside her. Can looked at her with concern, " Sanem, are you Ok. Are you going to answer, please don't leave my question unanswered. Us being together is the only solution."  She wasn't sure if she could form the words, or even make the words come out of her mouth, but the look in his eyes had literally taken her breath away. He hung his head and looked away, his face covered with that look of defeat, then a small voice spoke, " Yes, ....yes, yes Can I will marry you." She felt this out of body experience as she heard the words that came from her mouth, but no truer words had she ever spoken. He jerked around to look at her, " You will, Sanem you said Yes, are you sure.....i love you so much." He pulled her tightly against his body. 

She giggled, " I guess we have a lot to tell everyone." She replied, clinging to him as if her life depended on it, thinking how her life had changed in this short time. " But I think we should wait until I get a chance to tell my parents. Is that ok with you." She pleaded  with her eyes. He knew she was right so he agreed, " Ok, but tell them tonight, because I'm ready to tell the world." He spoke, boldly sealing their happiness with a deep, passionate kiss that had left her weak. She prayed she wasn't moving to fast, being spontaneous, not using her head, all the sayings that people say to you when they think that you're making a mistake. But her heart seemed to be guiding her, leading her back to him, just as she knew it would. Can had told her once before to go with her feelings, follow what their hearts felt, ....and that's just what she did. But of course that's what she had always done when it came to Can, she had no other choice. 

Can jumped up, " Are you ready, lets go give our friends the good news." He announced, his face showing his joy. She smiled, " Ok, but please don't make a big deal about it just yet" She begged. He reached out his hand to help her up, but when she stood, that spot in her lower back that always gave her problems left her unable to stand on her leg. That happened at times, it only took a brief second for her to steady herself and be able to stand properly on her feet, but the humiliation of it had already happened. She didn't have her cane with her, it seemed that she hadn't needed to as much the past few days so she had left it at the office. She was self conscience about walking with it anyway, so she tried so hard not to use any more than she needed. Can grabbed her, " Sanem babe are you ok?" He asked, quickly supporting her in his arms. She shied away, not wanting him to see the embarrassment, " Of course I am, it happens sometimes, nothing to worry about." She stated, standing tall trying to regain her composure. 

Can hurried ahead to open the car door for her, she lowered her head, not wanting to make eye contact with him, as she climbed in his truck. She quickly fastened her seatbelt and tried to calm down. Can reached for her hand when he got in, "Sanem are the treatments not working as they should, is that why you are still having trouble." He asked, trying not to sound emotional. She couldn't look at him, but offered an explanation, " The therapist explained that it may take some time before the injury would be fixed, but there is a chance that it may never be totally cured. Things like what just happened may be my way of life." She spoke softly as she looked out the window. Can knew she was embarrassed, but he was going to do everything possible to help her, even if she didn't want him to. He loved her and if there's was  something he could do for her, he would. 

The ride to the agency was quiet and it seemed the whole mood had changed. But by the time they had made it upstairs to the agency she seemed to be better. As they walked down the long corridor to the center offices, he could tell she was walking more strongly, she held her head high, trying not to show any of her weakness. He loved that about her, that she was so strong and determined, but all he wanted to do was take care of her, protect her, shield her....heal her..

She smiled as they made their way to see their friends, a smile that lit up the room, a smile that could knock anybody down......that was her. He couldn't take his eyes off of her as everyone gathered around them, all talking at once, welcoming her back to their lives...

CeyCey was the last to approach her. His eyes had filled with tears as he reached for his friend....

She had missed him, more than she realized......he was the brother she never had, he was more than a friend.......