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I will be honorable, Ian Will you vow the same?

He clutched her shoulders and pulled her toward hied tenor of his voice He couldn't help it, couldn't pretend to be strong Everything about this moment hurt

We could run away together The thought spun through his mind, made him dizzy with the need to say it

She touched hiers across his cheek, down his throat, caressing, clai Finally she drew back, let her hand fall into her lap "You were right to be afraid"

He stared at her, losing hi her"What will I do without you?" he whispered

She started to cry, silently at first, and then in great,

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heaving spasms He folded his arms around her, drew her onto his lap and held her fiercely, burying his face in the wet, cold crook of her neck

He thought of all the ti her throat, across her breasts All the words she'd ly empty his world would be without her Oh, Jesus

The tears ca to each other for a lifetiht

Too soon, she pulled away Sniffling, she wiped her eyes and touched his face "You told me many times that the world was cold and cruel and unjust" She tried to laugh, tried and failed "I a to believe you"

"I'll wait for you, forever if I have to Someday " His voice trailed off The tears in his eyes crested, slipped down his cheeks "Someday "

She shook her head "No, Ian This would break o-we both know that Butbut I love you so Do not nail your life to a cross for this love of ours I could not stand it" She leaned toward hi hands and stared into his red-riain Fall in love, marry, have children This is what I want froo on "Pleasebe happy"

He squeezed his eyes shut for a long, long ti his head "No,"

"Please" She pressed a quick kiss to his lips "Please, Ian"