The Best Tea Cup is Chipped: Book 2

Dates and Dating

Lacey figured if Robert did manage to get the library back open it would certainly take quite a while. So, she was shocked when barely two weeks after her discussion with him, when waking after Robert had already gone to work, she found a key next to her bedside table with the word "Library" attached.

She all but rushed through breakfast and hurried to the library. Turning the key in the slightly rusty lock she pushed the doors open to see a beautiful library. In front was a circulation desk and the rest was covered in rows of shelves and shelves of books. As she stood in awe a voice rang out.

"We may sit in our library and yet be in all quarters of the earth."

"Robert," she said as he stepped around the corner of a shelf smiling at her.

"Welcome home," he told her.

"What?"

"I've never seen you more at home then when you're surrounded by books," he explained.

"You managed it so quickly," she said in surprise. Robert shrugged.

"Well, I spoke with a few people and the city ended up being agreeable to selling over the property to me. On the condition nobody tries to use the elevator which is legitimately unstable."

"I think I can handle the stairs." said Lacey with a smile. Then she shook her head pulling herself up to sit on the circulation desk looking down at the key.

"What's wrong?" asked Robert. She sighed.

"You've done so much for me. Without ever demanding payment. All because of the love you hold for a woman who can't even remember you. And I wish I did. I feel terrible that I can't give my heart to you right now the way you do me. Even if you never openly say it." Robert limped forward so he was right in front of her. As he stared at her she took in his face, the shoulder length hair the brown eyes. He wasn't conventionally attractive but she certainly felt pulled towards him.

"Lacey that isn't your fault. I don't blame you..." she cut him off feeling her eyes get a little wet.

"You don't understand I don't just feel terrible because I can't respond to you properly. I feel terrible because I think there was a time when I genuinely felt the same for you. I...I can't say how exactly I feel...right now but I know I like you possibly as more than a friend. I'm just scared if I take the jump, I'll hurt you even more. And hurting you is the last thing I'd ever want to do."

Robert's thumb came up and brushed away a tear that was starting to trickle down her cheek.

"Hey, it's alright. You take all the time that you need. If you choose me, I would be the happiest man in the world I fully admit that. If you don't simply having you in my life is a greater gift than I deserve."

It was at times like this when he was so sweet that Lacey genuinely had no idea how anyone could see Robert as a monster. She took a deep breath making her choice.

"I'd like to try. The two of us. But...I still need to take it slow. Because I do care for you." The look of joy that filled Robert's face confirmed Lacey's belief she was doing the right thing. To her surprise Robert took her hand and kissed the back of it before giving her a small smile.

"I would like the Lacey. And I'm happy to follow your lead." Lacey smiled back feeling happier than she had in ages.

OUAT

Getting the library back into shape for its reopening actually didn't take as long as Lacey expected. Any technical issues had been resolved and even in terms of cleaning Robert had apparently had the place scrubbed down. Mostly it was moving into her new home that took up her time.