Promise Me

Chapter Fifteen

"What?"

Gabriella stepped back at Dory's near-screech. "Shhh!"

"Oh, sorry!" Dory clapped a hand over her mouth, leaning closer as she said, "What happened?"

"I—I don't even know," Gabriella replied softly, tapping her forefinger against her teacup before bringing that same hand up to rub her forehead. It was hard to believe not even twelve hours had passed since she left Boromir's flat with her heart shattered and dreams broken. For the rest of the night, sleep mocked her, and as the sun broke over the horizon, she gave up trying and got up. She'd been moving ever since, trying not think about what happened, even as she wondered how it could have all gotten away from them both the way it had.

"Gab?"

"Everything was fine. Wonderful, even. And then—" she shook her head—"it wasn't wonderful at all."

She met Dory's concerned stare. "He sees me as no more than a vessel, Dory, for carrying his children. That's all. And he doesn't understand how I might find offense at that."

"He did not."

She nodded. "He did. He had it all planned out and when I said I didn't know if I even wanted children..."

"Oh, no."

"Oh, yes."

"Is there anyway you two just simply miscommunicated? You did say it was the middle of the night and he'd just woken from a nightmare."

She offered Dory a level look. "He said flat out it was my job, Dory. I don't think that was a miscommunication at all..."

Dory winced. "Er, no. Not really, I guess."

"Exactly."

"I'm so sorry, Gab."

"I've spent half my life loving him, Dory. And not only does he not love me the same way, but he sees me as nothing more than a—a vessel. And he cannot possibly understand why I would not be thrilled to pieces to be chosen by him to carry his babies."

Dory sighed softly. "Is there any chance you just didn't quite understand him?"

Gabriella's gut kinked as she rolled her eyes. "Oh, not you, too."

"No, no, of course not. But, is there?"

"No!"

"All right, I'm just making sure. We know what happens when tempers flare, and sometimes things get taken out of context or misunderstood, is all." Dory reached across the table to pat her hand. "Perhaps you both need a few days. I mean, everything has happened so very quickly for you both. You were friends for so long and then in the blink of an eye, he's asking you to marry him and all."

"Perhaps, but I don't think so." Gabriella sank back in her chair, a sense of hopelessness settling about her. "We want different things and they are too different for us to be together. So, I think it's far more than us simply needing a few days."

"Would you like me to speak to him?"

"No offense, Dory, but that is the last thing I wish."

For a moment, Dory looked hurt, but then, with a sigh, she nodded. "No, none taken. I would most likely only make matters worse. But, don't give up hope, Gab. You and Boromir have been with each other since you were children. I refuse to believe this is the end of you."

"I wish I was as hopeful as you, but I think it is, indeed, the end of us." Gabriella's eyes stung with hot tears once more. She was so tired of crying, of her eyes being so puffy and bloodshot and her nose running seemingly without end. Her head ached and her sinuses felt clogged with wet sand. And yet, she could not help herself and she could not stop it.