Page 62 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

"I don't have one."

"Don’t have what? An apartment?" I questioned. He surely wasn’t sleeping in his SUV. And hopefully not at the office either.

"Yeah. I meant to, but time ran out of time and I...I ended up on my brother's couch,” he admitted.

"Wait. I am living in your house with all those bedrooms and you're on a couch? That makes no sense at all. I can go back to the resort, and you take your home back. You will need it for your grandmother anyway. I saw her place. It is nice, but the rooms were small, and I am sure you're going to want your own space. Besides that, if she needs assistance in getting around it will be more difficult for you to manage that with her narrow doorways. Yours are much wider. I’ll pack my stuff as soon as I return to Tabiq. And I'll even help you get your house ready for her too if you’d like,” I rambled off.

“What I’d like is for you and Joey to stay at the house,” he said firmly.

“Orion, that doesn’t make any sense. You need it. Joey and I can live anywhere,” I stated.

“No. Joey needs a home. Not a hotel room. I’m not taking no for an answer. The house is yours to do what you wish,” he said.

“Then I wish you and your grandmother lived there,” I said.

“With you and Joey?” he asked.

I wasn’t sure if he was joking or not. How do I even respond? I mean, this was too fast. He couldn’t be serious, could he?

“Raya? Are you there?” he asked.

“Yes. I...I...” couldn’t even think of the next words.

“Breathe. It was a joke. Well, not totally. I have thought a lot about what a future with you would look like. Me, you, Joey and maybe a few more added to the family. But at no point has the thought of my grandmother living with us entered my mind.”

Somewhere along the line, I stopped breathing, and was unable to speak. This was not something I thought we would be discussing right now. Not for some time, actually. But what does time have to do with anything? I already knew that I was in love with him, even if I hadn't told him yet. My heart wanted to scream and shout those three words. I thought they would scare him, but after his comment, maybe they wouldn’t.

“Orion, I...I’ve had similar thoughts.” Why pretend as though I hadn’t?

“Good. Because I meant what I said. You mean more to me than you realize. I can’t picture my life without you.” I heard him let out a long exhale and then say, “I planned on taking you out for dinner when we had this conversation, but why not now? Unless you’d rather wait?” he asked.

“No. Now is fine,” I said.

“Raya, there has been something between you and me from the moment we met. The more time I spend with you, and talk to you, it just grows. I don’t want you to feel as though you must respond, and I’m not trying to pressure you in any way, but I need you to know something. I’m in love with you,” he said, then didn’t say anything else.

“Orion, I have felt it as well. I wanted to tell you after the night I spent snuggled up in your arms, but I wasn’t sure how you felt. I was afraid that if I said the L word, you would run, and this would be over. I couldn’t even bear thinking about that. Now the only thing I’m afraid of is you not being in my life. I love you too, Orion,” I said.

“Damn it! We should be kissing and making love. Not talking on a phone. But this doesn’t make it any less real,” he said.

“No, it doesn’t. But...we really should finish this conversation when we’re together,” I suggested.

“Agreed. Because I’m sure there is a lot more for us to say,” he replied.

“I’ll be traveling with Joey, but Alex and Ziva said their children would love to meet him. Looks like we might have a babysitter when we need it.” And I know I need time with you.

“I knew I liked Alex for some reason,” he laughed then yawned.

“Orion, you’re tired and I know you have a long day tomorrow.”

“And you’ve had a long day today,” he said.

“True. And I should go and pick up Joey from his friend's house. But call me after you talk to your grandmother. Let me know how it went,” I said.

“I will do that. Good night, Raya. I love you,” he said.

“Sweet dreams, Orion. I love you too.”

“Damn, that sounded good. Care to say it again?” he prodded.

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