Love, me.

Falling

Rae

Nervousness washed through me as I stepped into the hospital grounds after being away for two weeks. I did not know what to expect as I have not heard from George since we parted after our last dinner together, before I headed home. I could understand how she felt and what prompted her to do what she did, and put an end to us, if there was any "us" in the first place.

After the conversation with my sister at our parents', I told Erik that I needed a break from our relationship and stayed at my parents throughout my stay at home. Understandably upset, Erik gave up trying to convince me to go back to his to work things out, and dropped off my bag at my parents' when I was out. George had no idea what transpired when I was back home and I was slightly annoyed by how she had not responded to my text when I asked how her race was.

"Rae! Welcome back!" Jem screeched as she hugged me from behind. My heart warmed as I saw her familiar grin as she slung her arm around my shoulder as we walked towards the Intensive Care. I definitely needed this moral support, I thought to myself as I willed myself into the office, desperately hoping George was not there today. 

Despite me hoping not to run into George at work today, a huge part of me wanted to meet her and tell her about everything that happened in the last two weeks we were apart. Words that could not be spoken over the phone, and knowing George, I knew she would not have wanted to be distracted leading up to her race anyway. Most importantly, I just wanted to hold her and be held by her again. 

The day passed uneventfully and I spotted the back of a familiar dark brown hair rushing towards the Emergency Department with a phone held to her ears as Jem and I headed towards the cafeteria for lunch. An idea struck me as I was queuing up for my food.

"Good afternoon Intensive Care Services." 

"Hi, umm, it's me, Rae." I mumbled, taken aback by her authoritative tone.

"Oh, hi, can I help?" Her tone softened considerably, making my heart leap in anticipation.

"Could we please meet at our usual place in park after work? I really need to speak to you."

"Sure, I'll see you then."

With that, she hung up, as I braced myself for the unknown.

As I approached the park, I spotted George hunched over on our bench. Taking a deep breath, I walked towards her and sat beside her. Startled, she looked over at me as I took in her tanned skin and crisp tan line left by her sunglasses fresh from her last race. Her brown eyes looked tired and lacked the spark that I Ioved as I winced internally knowing that I was the cause of her lacklustre look. A slight smile tugged the corner of her mouth, sending my heart rate to an all time high as I struggled to keep my composure as I gazed fondly at the woman I love.

Turning to face her, I reached out and cupped her face with two hands, the pads of my thumbs stroking her soft olive skin, the contact sending jolts of electricity down my spine. I had missed her so much, more than I realised as our eyes connected.

"How are you George? What have you been up to?" I asked as she leaned into my hands in silence.

"I'm all good, done with races for the year." She responded with a shrug before removing my hands from her, as a stoic look replaced the vulnerability she displayed earlier.

"No, how are you really George. I was not asking about your races and you know it." 

"What do you want me to say? What am I supposed to say or feel?" She responded as she gritted her teeth and looked away as I saw tears welling up in her eyes, breaking my heart.

"You can start by telling me the truth." I knew I had pushed my luck as the last thing George liked was having her integrity questioned.

"Fine. The last two weeks were hell. I thought I could get away with labelling us as a summer fling but I can't, I have fallen too deep for you and I hate myself for it. I have missed you so much and it kills me when you are not by my side!" George cried angrily, tears streaming down her face, anger and brokenness flashing in her eyes.

I pulled her into an embrace, holding her tight against me as I breathed in her familiar scent. I could live like this forever. 

I gently pulled apart as she calmed down and willed every ounce of self control I possessed to not look at her lips.

"George. Look at me, and listen carefully. I love you and I always will. I just wanted to tell you that I have broken things off with Erik and have been living with my parents the whole time I was home. I want to be with you and I want to give us a chance. I am sorry I have not told you this before but I really wanted to talk to you and tell you how I feel as I hold on to you."

Before I knew it, I felt her lips crushing mine as she pulled me close. We spent the next precious minutes exploring each other's mouth hungrily as if our lives depended on it. I had missed this so much and the emotions and feelings that accompanied the kiss were testament to how much I loved this woman before me. I felt her hands in my hair as she held on tightly to me as my hands travelled down to her waist, drawing her closer to me, closing every gap that was between us. 

Finally, I feel like I am home as I felt myself falling deeper in love with her.