Healing Hands of Time

Alex nodded, "I understand...I would've been hurt, too."

She sniffed, wiping at her eyes. Why wasn't he upset at her? She treated him like the lowest of the low, and here he was brushing it all aside? Hiccupping, she shook her head. "I'm just so sorry..."

"It's alright," he said comfortingly, "It's okay..."

He looked at her, eyes soft, with a gentle, forgiving smile. "It all...it worked out in the end..."

She nodded, trying to smile. "Yeah... yeah, I guess it did..."

Alex tentatively held his arms out to her for a hug, "I...I love you." he said quietly, his voice cracking again.

{{Darn it, WHERE ARE MY TISSUES!?!?!}}

Door blinked, looking up at him hopefully before slowly looping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shirt. And then the tears came freely.

Tears slipped down his cheek silently, and he hugged her tightly, resting his chin on her head.

She held him tight, crying in earnest, not wanting to let him go.
Ever.
"I love you Alex... So, so much... I'm so sorry..."

"Shh..." he said, "It's alright...everything's okay now."

She just nodded, sniffling. "I know... I know..."

Alex inhaled, patting her back, "So, how did the others take all this?"

"Thatch is lost, and Tremor's trying to explain," she said quietly, smiling despite her tears. "So not much has changed..."

Alex laughed, "He doesn't want to knock out any more teeth, then?"

Leaning back to look at him, she frowned. "What do you mean...? Oh. That," she added, remembering when Thatch had come home bloody and fuming. "No... I don't think he's in that kind of mood..."

Alex grinned, showing pearly whites, "Good thing it was a molar, hm? Is his nose alright?"

Oh, it was so nice to see him smile again...

She nodded. "He's quit whining about it, so it must not be bothering him much... either that or he's learned that we're ignoring him..."

"Did Aislin take good care of him?" Alex teased. "They're still...right?"

"They won't admit anything," she smiled, "but yes, they are... It's amusing to watch them harass each other..." She drifted off, shaking her head as she laughed under her breath. "I... missed you..."

"I missed you, too." he sighed, "A lot."

She smiled, agreeing mentally. Oh, I missed you so much... more than you'll ever know...

Sighing, she stood, taking his hand and pecking him on the cheek. "Come on," she said softly. "Let's go."

He took a last glance at the broken window, then stood, smiling down at her. "After you."

She squeezed his hand softly and walked down the aisle (O.o) into the foyer and out of the church.

----------

"Aha, there they are!" Thatch turned as the door opened and smiled at his sister. "Beginning to wonder where you got to..."

Alex smiled at Thatch, releasing Door's hand to shake his. "Just had a talk. That's all. Sorry for your nose..."

"And your tooth," he replied, shaking Alex's hand. "I apologize for that... But I want to talk to you, sometime. Doesn't have to be now, just whenever you have a free minute or two."

Door blinked, a bit worried. "Thatch..."

"Don't worry," he said with a bit of a wink. "You'll get him back in one piece."

Alex nodded, "I think that's a good idea."