I'm Still Listening [Robin+Maria]

Possible Ending #3

[Maria]

"I can't thank you enough, Loveday" I grinned, hugging her tightly. "You can thank me later, find Robin and Naomi before they end up leaving without you" she whispered, kissing my forehead. I bit my lip with excitement, before quickly making my way towards the other edge of the forest, where I planned to meet them. Loveday was going to return home to the DeNoir clan for several days, so that Uncle Benjamin wouldn't suspect as much. I was so grateful for all my family had sacrificed for me, I almost didn't want to leave them. Suddenly I stopped. I felt something wash over me, quickly making me feel very guilty for running away. I couldn't just leave them after everything they'd done for me. I let out a deep sigh and continued on my way so that I could tell Robin the bad news.

After what felt like hours, I finally reached the gate and sure enough, there was the carriage. Robin was sat on the ground playing with his hat while Naomi was petting the horses. Suddenly she turned her head and flashed a big grin. "Maria!" she shouted, making Robin rise to his feet with a large smile. "We were beginning to think you weren't coming!" she wrapped her arms around me enthusiastically. I sighed and gave them a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, I can't leave."

"What do you mean?" Robin looked almost horrified. "Robin, this is my home, my family" I insisted. "But you'll be in danger, my father could catch you and I wouldn't be able to help you. If you're staying, so am I" he said angrily. I shook my head. "Don't be an idiot. I'll be in more danger if I go with you. And your father would find you eventually if you stayed" I folded my arms. He looked as if he had nothing left to say. "Robin, I think she's right" Naomi whispered. Robin looked as if he was about to burst into tears. "I'm sorry, I have to stay" I whispered. He let out a big sigh. "Fine, we're staying too."

I glanced at Naomi to see her flash a shocked expression at Robin. "Don't be selfish" I snapped. "Go, help Naomi find Humphry." "Hugo" she whispered, correcting me. "Find Hugo, and get away from your father. If you won't do it for Naomi, do it for me" I held his hand gently. He stared down as our fingers intertwined, before returning to my eyes. He nodded slightly. "Naomi, get in the carriage" he whispered. A small grin crept up on her face, before she turned to me. "I know I hardly know you, but I'm going to miss you, Maria" she threw her arms around me. "I'll miss you too" I giggled. She pulled away and gave me a sympathetic smile, returning to the carriage. 

I looked back up at Robin, who already had a tear rolling down his face. "Goodbye Robin" I wrapped my arms around him tightly and I felt his arms wrap themselves around me, as if he wasn't going to let me go. After several moments of silence, I pulled away and stared up at him. Before I knew it, he leaned down and pressed his lips against mine. I slid my hands around the back of his head as he grabbed my waist and pulled me closer.  Suddenly everything around us became silent, and peaceful. I felt calm. I couldn't think about anything except Robin, as if the two of us were frozen in time. I felt him smile slightly. I pulled away and stepped back. "I love you, Robin" I smiled, wiping away a tear. He took a deep breath, before climbing up into the carriage. I waited, wondering if he would tell me he loved me. He leaned out of the window suddenly. Just as the carriage was about to roll away, I heard him whisper the words

'I'm still listening'.