My Heart Is Yours

Chapter 77

Spoiler Alert: If you guys have not watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens...shame on you! (Joke! ✌🏻) Seriously, there's a very small mention of the movie here that's a pivotal scene...so if you're fine with that read on, if not...well watch it first. Hehe...

-oo-

Over the next couple of weeks, Maine and Richard had a sort of routine between them.

Richard was Maine's constant companion especially during her steroid shots. Never leaving her side and making sure that she kept to her schedule. He would be by her side, holding her hand, as Dr. Vega did his job. The good doctor found the couple refreshing, as Richard was very attentive to Maine and her needs. Richard also took it upon himself to know the schedule for when Maine needed to drink her oral meds. Making sure he also had her meds in hand in case of emergencies.

Whenever they were back home, Richard taught Maine how to bike as he had promised. A very determined Maine was seriously following Richard's instructions, but every so often was also distracted by his presence whenever he was standing too close to her, as he would often steal a kiss or two whenever they were in close proximity with each other. As was before, Richard was a patient teacher as he made sure that she was stable before letting go of the bike. He ran alongside her, anticipating her movements so that he could catch her before she fell.

Often times, when they don't have individual commitments, they would just stay in either houses, staying in either Richard's room or the Mendoza's living room just keeping each other company. They would either read books, watch a movie or Maine would listen to Richard play. They would always find something to talk about and there never was a dull moment when they were in each other's company.

It was a rare moment for Richard when Maine decided that they hung out in her room that day they were home. It would be the first time that Richard was allowed to venture upstairs. He was a bit hesitant even when Ted gave him the go signal to do so.

Much like Alden's first time all those years ago, Richard was awed by the floor to ceiling bookshelf in her room. The said bookshelf was extended that it now covered two-thirds of the wall.

"Rich was right," Richard said as he scanned her collection of books while Maine sat on her bed. "Your collection is amazing. No wonder he sounded like he wanted to marry your bookshelf back then. He wouldn't shut up about it."

"He what?"

"That time when he officially met you," he explained. "He couldn't stop talking about your bookshelf and your Star Wars collection."

She laughed and said, "I wonder what his reaction would be now the books aren't considered 'canon' anymore?"

"On a good note," he replied. "Chewie's alive again. But no Solo twins and no Anakin. Just a renamed 'Jacen' using the name of Luke's son. What I'm most sad about was that they killed Han Solo."

"So," she asked as he sat on the edge of her bed. "Which 'Legends' character was your favorite?"

"Oh, you wound me, Heart," Richard remarked with his hand pressed to his chest as if in pain. "I can't believe you're one of them! We don't call it 'Legends'. They're still the 'Expanded Universe'."

"They're no longer called the 'EU', Home," Maine replied softly, patting his hand slowly as if trying to appease him.

Richard gave a fake pout and folded his arms to his chest. He said in mock hurt, "I don't think I could be friends with you anymore."

"Not my loss," she retaliated as she also folded her arms across her chest. "I'm the one with the complete collection."

But it was clear in her eyes that she was hurt by his words.

Richard opened his mouth and closed it immediately. He knew he lost that round. He sighed and left the bed, then he sat on the floor in front of her. He reached out and took her hands in his and kissed both hands affectionately. He then placed his head on her lap, his chin resting on her knee.

"My Heart?"

Maine didn't look at him and was just staring straight at nothing in particular. She still had a pout on her face and was completely ignoring him. He kept hold of both her hands, kissing them repeatedly.

"It was a bad joke," he said. "I'm really sorry."

She still didn't respond. Richard sighed and kissed her hands once more.

"Do you want me to go home?"

It was at that moment when Richard looked up that a lone tear fell on Maine's eye. Surprised by her tears, he pulled her to him, placing her on his lap. She didn't resist as she let him cradle her in his arms and wrapped them around her in a tight embrace. She did the same, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face on his chest. She felt him kiss her on her forehead and heard him whisper soft words of reassurance, saying sorry every so often for what he said.

"It's not about the 'friend' thing, RJ," she finally said as her tears finally subsided.

"Then what's this all about?" He asked softly. "What have I done wrong so that I won't do it again."

"You still call it 'EU'," she said. "They're called 'Legends' now, Home."

Richard bit his lip to refrain from answering. He just held her tightly, but his brows were furrowed in confusion. Then he closed his eyes and sighed.

"Heart?" He finally said softly. "Are you...PMSing? Or do you have your period right now?"

Over the course of their relationship, Richard did notice that there would be a time when Maine would either be too clingy or too moody. He never once related that to her monthly visitor, until now.

"PMSing," Maine muttered that Richard barely heard her.

There was a sigh of relief that came from Richard and held her close still. He kissed her forehead, nose, cheek and finally her lips, as he lingered there, nibbling on her lower lip.

"How did you know?" Maine asked after they ended the kiss. She snuggled closer to her, breathing in his scent. He smelled of soap and a newly opened book...she loved his scent very much.

"Know what?"

"That I'm hormonal."

"I had practice."

"Practice?" She asked, one eyebrow raised in question.

"Mom," he replied simply. "She's only forty-five. Whenever she's PMSing, dad and I stay clear. She gets irritated very easily. She'd be on a war-path so I would either be out the whole day or lock myself in my room. During her period itself, she doesn't want to move. Whenever I'm home, I usually get task to cook for us."

He then adjusted his hold on her so that he could look straight in her eyes. He said, "I hate seeing you in tears. For whatever reason. I feel like the worst human being because I've caused it. I need to know when you're PMSing so I could double my efforts not to be irritating on those days."

"You can start by not calling it 'EU' anymore," she remarked.

Richard sighed and reached out to caress her cheek with his hand, "you're so lucky I love you too much to know not to argue."

Maine's response was just to snuggle closer. They were silent for a time, with Richard scanning her book collection while holding her close to him. He was humming a tune, his lips close to her ear. She sighed in contentment, loving that his voice was tickling her ear.

"I love you, Home," she suddenly said. "Just be patient with me, please."

"I'm in this for the long haul, remember?" He replied with a smile. "Your mood swings don't scare me. Losing you does."

She pulled him to her to kiss his cheek and then placed her head on his chest. She sighed and closed her eyes, making a silent promise to do her best not to let Richard's greatest fear come true.