Stupid

Pulled into Nate's arms, Laura's tears continued to fall and she just clung to him tightly until she could speak. "I'm sorry. I just...no ... it's... he can stay. It was my fault."

She sniffed and turned to lean back against the counter, wrapping her arms around herself as she stared at the floor. "It was my fault..." The tears wouldn't stop even though she tried. "I... I just went to...to put a blanket on him... And...I guess I startled him." 

Unable to control the wave of emotions, she put a shaking hand to her mouth. She had to pull herself together, if for nothing else, for Maggie's sake. She had to. Sucking in a deep breath, she swallowed hard and sniffed, finally able to look up at Nate. "Before I knew what happened, he had me on the floor. He didn't mean to," she assured. More tears came. "He...he realized it was me and let me go. I-I-I wasn't hurt or anything, I just..." Her breath caught in her throat. 

It was another moment until she finally whispered the words. "For a moment, all I could see was Bryce." Falling back into Nate, she burried her face in his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she sobbed quietly. "I was so, so, so stupid."


Reese finally managed a small smile. He was quiet for several long moments, just studying Angelica's face. "I love you so much," he whispered. "I don't know how I'd survive all this without you, ya know?"

Leaning in closer, he let his lips brush against hers softly. Smiling, he returned for a kiss, letting it linger a few moments. His hands rubbed her back gently and he let his kiss deepen, just letting it prove his much he did love her.


Lane smiled a little and nodded. "Okay... I'll consider it." 

"Consider what?"

Lane looked up to see Travis had just approached. "Hey. You're up."

"Yeah." Travis rocked back on his heels and glanced at Angel. "Hope that's okay. I, um, was getting cabin fever." He looked back to his dad. "So. Consider what? Or...maybe that's another secret."

There wasn't a whole lot of bite to his comment, but just enough to make Lane cringe. His eye caught Angel's. She really was right. This had to be resolved. "No secret...just thinking about the future. Our future. Wanna talk about it?"

Travis sighed and hooked his thumbs in his pockets. "No...yeah. I dunno. Am I gonna get the truth?"

"You have my word. Please?" Lane's eyes begged his son. "Can we take a walk?"

"Nope."

Lane's shoulders dropped.

"I'm too sore." Travis nodded to the adjoining room. "I see a couch that looks good though."

As his son headed that way, Lane gave his sister a hopeful look. "Say a prayer...'cause I sure don't know what to say."