Reconnection

She heard the little bell over the door downstairs and breathed. She’d cleaned her flat, washed her dishes and there was nothing else to keep her hands and mind busy. She’d been in a state ever since she left the key on his desk. But now he was here and it was time to see what that meant. She turned as he cleared the top step and looked at him.

Richie looked back for a moment before walking to her and taking her in his arms and kissing her deeply.

"I’m sorry, Nonnie."

"So am I…I didn’t know if you’d come or toss the key in the gutter. I’m not sure where we are."

"I know where I want to be with you."

"Do you? Well you’ve come so…would you like a drink?"

"I’ll make it, come and sit down." He led her to the sofa and moved over to the drinks cabinet and poured them both a drink. Finding the key had sent a thrill through him, he hadn’t lost her. Knowing her as he did she wouldn’t have sent the key back if she didn’t still care.

He sat beside her on the sofa and handed her drink over.

"Shall we drink to something…reconnection…renewal?" she asked.

"That sounds good I want to reconnect with you." He touched her glass with his and took a sip.

"I’ve had some time to think, time alone and I think perhaps I was being a little unrealistic with you, expecting too much, we aren’t married and I have no right to…"

"I know we aren’t and I know you’ve said you didn’t want to marry but my divorce becomes final in about three weeks and…"

"Please stop right there. Don’t spoil what we have together by asking me to marry you because I would refuse. The only thing I will ask of you is respect…I want you to respect me to show respect."

"I do respect you," he took her hand, "I love you Nonnie and I’m going to try my damnedest to make you happy."

"That’s all we can expect isn’t it…to be happy with each other. I was thinking earlier today that if you did come back that we’ve never really gone anywhere together only around here and Coffs."

"You want to go away somewhere take a long weekend or something, that’s a great idea. I’d like to do that. I think we need to spend some time together, just the two of us." He kissed her hand.

"Can you close up shop early on Friday I can now that Cara is working here."

"Oh yeah, no problem where do you want to go are we flying or driving?"

"Let’s go to Sydney for the weekend and fly, why waste time driving."

"Okay, I’ll make the arrangements." He set his glass down on the table and pulled her into his arms. "My place or yours tonight?" he said against her temple.

"Yours, mine’s too public. I’m so glad you used your key."

"I didn’t want to give it back to you, you know that. Have you had dinner yet?"

"No, I haven’t been able to eat a full meal since we had our last meeting. It didn’t come off well and it killed my appetite but I’m hungry now." She laced her fingers through his hair, "hungry for you." She met his lips.

"Mmm, let’s eat here first," he kissed her again and his hands began to wander over her.

Later as they dressed to go over to Andy’s it occurred to Richie he’d made a date with Libby for Friday night. He buttoned up his shirt and thought he’d have to call her and tell her something came up, maybe some other time. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes," she took his arm and went down the stairs with him carrying an overnight bag.