It's You

Nineteen

Shawn knew it was bold to put Camila on the spot in front of Austin, but it was done so he simply waited.

"Of course I want you to stay, Shawn."

Austin was not pleased and took a step closer to her. "Please let's go talk somewhere private."

Camila stepped away. "I don't want to keep her from you, Austin. I really don't."

"Sure looks that way."

"I want you to be there for her...sober."

"Do you want me to quit drinking? Is that it?!"

"Well, that would be a start."

"I'll do it then. Now will you come back to LA with me?"

Camila shook her head slowly. "I am sorry if I wasn't clear. I want you to be a father to Isa and that is all."

Whoa, Shawn thought to himself. That was pretty clear.

Austin looked like a hurt puppy dog. "Wha...what?"

"I can't do...this...anymore."

"This? What, loving me?!"

"I will always love you...I just..."

"You what?"

Camila glanced quickly at Shawn then back at Austin.

"Is it him?!" He cried out then grabbed Shawn by the shirt color.

"Stop it, Austin!" She cried out while trying to pry his hands off of Shawn. "It isn't him!"

Austin let go then turned to her in confusion.

Shawn was also confused. He thought it was about him a little bit.

"I don't like who I am when...I am...with you."

Austin appeared hurt and taken aback by her words. "Wh...what?"

Paula walked into the room and froze. "I'm sorry. I appeared to have walked into the room of awkward tension. If you'll excuse me." She said then turned and walked away.

Shawn smiled at her words. At least it had broken some of the tension.

There was a brief moment when Shawn thought Camila had gotten through to him until...

"That is bullshit! I still think it is him." He said then turned to face him. "You. I told you to back off and I am telling you again!" He yelled then headed towards the door. He turned back before he walked out and looked at Camila and said, "This isn't over."

A few moments went by before Shawn asked, "Are you okay?"

She turned and slipped into his arms. He held her and rubbed her back in comfort. "It will be okay." He said softly to her.

"Shawn?"

"Yes?"

"Did Austin tell you to stay away that night?"

Shawn thought about how easy it would be to blame him for all of it; however, it was his choice to stay away. "If you are asking if he told me to stay away...he did."

Camila looked apologetic, but it wasn't sitting right with him.

"But...and this is a big but. I made the choice to not go that night."

"Why? You knew it would hurt me."

"I honestly thought I needed to not interfere. You were happy and blessed with a tremendous opportunity."

Camila studied his face. "Sometimes it is like you are not real." She said as she caressed his face.

"I don't understand."

She smiled at him as she twirled one of his curls around her finger. "Would it have made you happy to see me perform that night?"

Shawn's face lit up as he smiled. "Down to my very soul."

She shook her head. "I can't believe you stayed away from something like that just for me."

He blushed. He did not understand why she couldn't understand that her happiness meant everything to him. "I've told you that your happiness is everything to me."

She shook her head again. "How can you be so selfless...how?"

He didn't know what to say.

She pulled him even closer and gently stepped onto his feet so she was almost eye level with him. "What if I told you that being with you is everything to me?"

He felt like he forgot to breathe in that moment. Her face was inches from his. He could feel her breath on his lips. "You did say my happiness is everything, didn't you?"

Shawn swallowed hard. "Ye...yes I did."

She took her hands and cupped his face. Her fingernails gently slid into his hair as she massaged his scalp, tugging on his hair a bit.

He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers. "I want to be happy right now."

"Good." He said barely above a whisper. She smiled and moved closer so her lips lightly grazed his. He felt his pulse begin to speed up as their lips touched softly. The kiss was gentle and sweet just like it was years ago on the swings.

As their lips met again there was more desire and intensity behind it. Shawn let out an involuntary groan of pleasure as the kiss continued.

Her mouth opened wider and their tongues slid over one another. The sweet sigh that came from her lips caused Shawn to intensify the kiss more.

"Whoa. Okay. Sorry." Paula said as she walked right in the middle of this passionate kiss.

It was clear that Shawn and Camila had lost themselves in this kiss. Paula felt horrible for interrupting. "Listen, why don't you two run along and I will stay with Isa."

They both looked into each other's eyes with desire.

"I could go for a walk. How about you?"

Shawn swallowed hard and nodded.