Chapter 41

The next week Sidney went back to Enfield – with Lauren. While they were on the plane, Lauren got to thinking about how just a few weeks earlier, she had thought he would be making this trip alone. She snuggled against his chest and he tightened his grip around her.
“Sidney?” she asked softly.
“Hmm?” he said, kissing her head and inhaling her peppermint shampoo.
“What’s going to happen to us in the fall?” she asked. It had been on her mind a lot the last few days.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“I mean, when you’re in Pittsburgh and I’m in Cleveland.”
“Honestly, I don’t know. Right now, I’m putting a lot of energy into not screwing things up when I’m with you.” She looked up at him and smiled as he blushed sheepishly. He squeezed her hand. “But really, I think we should just take things one day at a time. I’m going to come visit you, and you’re going to come home and visit me too. And maybe we’ll even learn to like the phone a little more.” He chuckled, knowing Lauren hated talking on the phone as much as he did. He much preferred face-to-face interactions, especially when it was Lauren’s beautiful face he was looking at.
“Yeah, but it’s just going to suck.” She sighed.
“I know baby, believe me, I know. But don’t worry about it now. Let’s just have fun right now, when we’re together.” He said, tucking his fingers under her chin and pulling her lips to his for a kiss.
Troy was supposed to pick them up at the airport, so they were surprised when they saw Jack standing at baggage claim to get them. “Lauren!” he called across the room. Her face broke out into a big smile when she saw him and she let go of Sidney’s hand to accept Jack’s outstretched arms as he pulled her into a tight hug. “You look gorgeous,” he told her, looking her up and down.
“Well, I’ve probably had more sleep since the last time you saw me,” she said, recalling their last reunion in the coffee shop.
“Yeah, and I’m glad too.”
“No love for me?” Sidney said, pretending to look hurt.
“Ehhh, she’s hotter than you, man.” Jack said, causing Lauren to blush. Sidney nodded his head in agreement.
“Well, that’s for damn sure.” Sidney said.
Jack pulled Sidney into a hug. “It’s good to see you, Sid. Glad to see you found your brain again.” Jack said as Sidney laced his fingers with Lauren’s again.
“Yeah, thanks man. I owe you big time.” Sidney said, looking at Lauren.
“You don’t owe me anything. I’m just glad to see things are back to the way they should be. But if you screw things up with this one again and I’ll probably have to break your fingers or something.” Jack said.
“I don’t think you have to worry about that. I plan to keep her around for a very long time.” He said, winking at Lauren.
They stopped and picked up some lunch and went to Sidney’s house. While Sidney was in the kitchen grabbing some drinks, Lauren put her hand on Jack’s shoulder as she stood next to where he was sitting on the couch. “Thanks, Jack.”
He knew what she was talking about and just smiled. “No, thank you. You’ve changed him, in a good way. Sidney’s always been one of the best people I know, but when he’s with you, he’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. I’m just sorry he treated you so crappy for a little while.”
“We’re lucky to have you. I don’t think we’d be together now if it weren’t for you. Seriously Jack, I can’t imagine my life without him.”
“Well, I don’t think you have to. You’re the one, Lauren. You’re his forever.”
Sidney smiled as he watched Jack and Lauren’s conversation quietly from the doorway, staying back where neither of them could see him. A minute later, he entered the room.
Later that night, Sidney and Lauren were curled up on the couch watching a movie. “Jack’s right you know.” Sidney blurted out suddenly.
“Hmm?” she asked, not fully understanding what he was talking about.
“About you. You’re my forever.” He said. She turned her head and looked at him. She smiled when she saw the love in his eyes. “I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking when I pushed you out of my life, but I realized, with the help of some very wise friends, that I would have regretted losing you for the rest of my life. I don’t want to ever lose you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Lauren’s heart hammered in her chest, thinking for a moment that he was proposing.
As if reading her mind, as he often did, Sidney smiled at her. “Don’t worry, there’s not a ring hidden under the couch cushions. I just wanted to tell you that. It’s important to me that you know exactly how I feel.” She smiled at him, never taking her eyes off his.
“Sidney, every time you look at me, especially the way you’re looking at me right now, I can see how you feel about me. And when you kiss me, forget it. It’s all I can do just to remember to breathe. And when we make love, I feel so much love for you I can’t stand it. I love who I am with you. And I love who you are. And when you hold me like this, it’s like nothing bad can ever happened. Even when my life is stressful or I’m sick, you just make things better.” She kissed him deeply and then tousled his hair. “And now that I’ve completely inflated your ego, let’s go to bed.” She said, standing up and pulling him to his feet.
“So will it inflate your ego if I tell you how good you are in bed? Or will it just turn you on?” he whispered in her ear, even though they were alone in his house. He ran his hands down her sides, molding his hands to her curves.
She squirmed out of his grasp and took off towards the stairs. “I guess you’ll just have to follow me and find out.” She said, turning to give him a mischievous grin, taking off her shirt and throwing it at him.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He grinned, running up the stairs after her.