the house was alive with the Quiet hum of mundane activity the ticking of the wall clock in the kitchen seemed louder than usual echoing faintly against the weathered cabinets Maggie harlo stood by the sink her auburn hair pulled into a loose knot a fine Sheen of sweat glistening on her brow the faucet had been dripping all morning and after weeks of ignoring it she had finally decided to take matters into her own hands her small toolbox laid open on the counter its contents a mismatched collection of wrenches and screwdrivers she had inherited from her late
husband Maggie sighed kneeling awkwardly to peer beneath the sink her knees creaked as she shifted twisting the wrench with more Force than necessary the pipe groaned in protest and before she could react her arm slipped into the tight space wedging itself between two rusted fixtures damn it she m Ed pulling back instinctively only to find her arm stuck Panic flared briefly as she tugged harder the edges of the pipe digging into her skin the pain was sharp but manageable yet it was the helplessness of the situation that made her stomach twist she leaned back awkwardly
attempting to maneuver herself into a better position but the movement only seemed to worsen her predicament Maggie closed her eyes exhaling deeply to steady her herself okay think she whispered just think her phone was on the counter just Out Of Reach she could see the screen glowing faintly a message notification blinking she cursed her stubbornness for tackling the repair herself it wasn't just about saving money it was about proving she could handle things on her own she had spent the past year rebuilding her independence Brick by Brick after losing her husband but now in the
quiet kitchen trapped and vulnerable she felt an unsettling mixture of frustration and embarrassment the sound of the front door creaking open startled her Maggie's heart leapt and for a brief moment she froze her thoughts racing who would be entering her house unannounced the soft thud of footsteps followed hesitant but deliberate moving through the hallway Maggie craned her neck trying to Glimpse the Intruder her pulse quickening Maggie a voice called out deep and familiar relief flooded through her as she recognized it Caleb Caleb Larsson was the son of her late husband's closest friend a thoughtful young
man in his early 20s he had been a steady presence in her life since the funeral helping with small tasks and checking in on her occasionally Maggie had always appre appreciated his kindness but she hadn't expected him today in here she called her voice tinged with equal parts relief and embarrassment Caleb appeared in the doorway moments later his tall frame filling the narrow space his hazel eyes widened slightly as he took in the scene Maggie crouched awkwardly by the sink her arm trapped beneath the fixture a faint Sheen of panic on her face what happened
he asked stepping closer concern etched into his features I got stuck trying to fix this stupid pipe Maggie admitted her cheeks flushing I didn't think it would be this complicated Caleb knelt beside her his movements careful and deliberate let me take a look he said his voice calm and reassuring he reached out his fingers brushing against hers as he examined the pipe the contact was brief but it sent a jolt through Maggie that she hadn't anticipated it's pretty tight Caleb murmured frowning slightly I'm going to try loosening it hold still Maggie nodded her throat dry
as she watched him work his hands were steady his Focus intense as he twisted the rench she couldn't help but notice the way his brow furrowed in concentration or the faint scent of cologne that lingered in the air between them it was a moment of strange intimacy unexpected and disarming Caleb said after a few tense minutes the pipe released with a metallic groan and Maggie's arm slipped free she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding flexing her fingers experimentally thank you she said her voice softer now I don't know what I would
have done without you Caleb smiled a boyish grin that momentarily broke the tension glad I could help he said but maybe next time call me before you start playing plumber Maggie laughed a sound that felt almost foreign after weeks of solitude noted she said her tone lighter Caleb stood offering her a hand to help her up Maggie hesitated for a moment before taking it her Palm pressing against his the warmth of his touch lingered even after she let go a small detail that unsettled her more than she cared to admit are you okay he Caleb
asked his tone shifting back to one of genuine concern his eyes searched hers and Maggie felt an unspoken question lingering in the air between them I'm fine she said quickly brushing her hands against her jeans just embarrassed embarrassed there's no need to be Caleb said his voice gentle everyone needs help sometimes Maggie nodded but the word struck struck a cord deep within her she had spent so long trying to prove she didn't need anyone that she could handle everything on her own but in this moment with Caleb standing in her kitchen his presence steady and
grounding she couldn't deny the comfort of having someone to lean on as Caleb moved to clean up the scattered tools Maggie found herself watching him her thoughts a swirl of gratitude and something she couldn't quite name the vulnerability of the moment the quiet intimacy of their interaction it left her feeling exposed in a way she hadn't expected the clock on the wall ticked softly marking the passage of time but Maggie hardly noticed the morning had taken a turn she hadn't anticipated and as she stood there in the quiet kitchen she couldn't shake the sense that
this was only the beginning of something far more complicated the kitchen felt different now though Maggie couldn't quite put her finger on why perhaps it was the faint echo of vulnerability still hanging in the air or the way the morning sunlight seemed sharper Illuminating every corner of the room as though it were exposing secrets she stood by the sink staring blankly at her arm where faint red marks from the pipe lingered this light sting was a reminder of the earlier chaos but it wasn't the discomfort in her arm that unsettled her it was Caleb he
was still there kneeling by the cabinet carefully sorting the tools back into her mismatched toolbox his movements were deliberate his Focus unwavering but there was a Quiet Energy about him that filled the space between them Maggie couldn't help but watch him her gaze lingering longer than she intended she told told herself it was gratitude that she was simply thankful for his help but a part of her knew there was more to it you're lucky this didn't get worse Caleb said breaking the silence his voice was calm steady but there was a hint of something else
beneath it concern maybe or frustration Maggie blinked snapping herself out of her thoughts I know she said quickly I should have just called someone yes ah Caleb agreed looking up at her with a faint smile you should have his tone was teasing but his hazel eyes held a warmth that made Maggie's chest tighten she forced a laugh brushing her hands against her jeans as though trying to shake off the weight of the moment well now I know better she said her voice lighter than she felt Caleb finished packing the toolbox and stood his tall frame
making the small kitchen feel even smaller he held the Box in one hand his other resting casually on his hip where do you want this he asked gesturing to the toolbox just leave it on the cter Maggie replied motioning vaguely I'll put it away later Caleb nodded setting the box down with a soft thud he lingered by the counter for a moment his gaze drifting around the room before settling back on her you sure you're okay he asked his tone softer now Maggie hesitated her breath catching as she met his gaze there was something disarming
about the way he looked at her steady unwavering as though he could see past the walls she had spent years building it made her feel exposed vulnerable in a way she wasn't used to I'm fine she said finally her voice firm but not convincing Caleb tilted his head slightly his expression thoughtful you don't have to tend with me you know he said it's okay to admit when you need help the word struck a chord deep within her Maggie looked away her fingers tightening around the edge of the sink as she tried to steady herself I
appreciate that she said quietly but I'm used to handling things on my own you don't have to though Caleb said stepping closer his voice was still calm but there was an intensity to it now a quiet insistence that made her chest ache you don't always have to do everything alone Maggie's eyes flicked back to him her green gaze meeting his Hazel one she wanted to argue to tell him he didn't understand but the sincerity in his expression made the words catch in her throat instead she nodded her lips curving into a faint reluctant smile the
Ang she said her voice barely above a whisper Caleb smiled in return a small boyish grin that made the tension in the room feel a little less heavy anytime he said simply the moment lingered the silence between them filled with unspoken words Maggie felt her pulse Quicken her thoughts racing as she tried to make sense of the emotions swirling inside her gratitude relief something warmer something heavy it was all there Tangled together in a way that left her feeling unsteady Caleb cleared his throat stepping back slightly as though sensing her discomfort I should probably get
going he said his tone casual but his eyes still searching hers of course Maggie said quickly her voice tinged with nervousness I'm sure you have things to do yeah Caleb said though he didn't sound entirely convinced he lingered for a moment longer before nodding but if you you need anything anything at all you know where to find me Maggie nodded her throat tight as she watched him turn and head toward the door she followed him to the front hall her footsteps slow and measured when he reached the door he paused glancing back at her with
an expression she couldn't quite read take care of yourself Maggie he said softly I will she replied her voice barely Audible and then he was gone the door closing softly behind him Maggie stood there for a moment staring at the empty space where he had been the house felt impossibly quiet now the Stillness pressing down on her like a weight she turned back toward the kitchen her steps heavy as she tried to shake off the lingering sense of unease but as she stood by the sink staring out the window at the sunlit yard she couldn't
ignore the way her heart raced or the thoughts that kept circling in her mind Caleb's words his touch the way he had looked at her it all felt significant in a way she couldn't quite explain Maggie exhaled deeply her hands trembling as she pressed them to the counter she didn't know what the future held but she knew this something had shifted and there was no going back the late afternoon sun filtered through the curtains casting soft fragmented beams across the living room floor the house was quiet except for the faint hum of the refrigerator in
the kitchen and the distant chirping of birds outside Maggie sat on the sofa a steaming cup of tea cradled in her hands she had been staring at the same page of her book for nearly 20 minutes her eyes skimming over the words without absorbing a single one her mind was elsewhere specifically it was on Caleb ever since he had left that morning his words and the quiet strength of his presence lingered with her there was something disarming about him something that unsettled her in a way she couldn't quite put into words she told herself it
was nothing just gratitude for his help but deep down she knew it was more the sound of the front door opening startled her pulling her out of her thoughts Maggie tensed setting her tea down on the cof table as her heart quickened she wasn't expecting anyone for a brief moment Panic flared an irrational fear that something was wrong but then she heard Caleb's voice warm and familiar calling out from the hallway it's just me he said his tone casual Maggie exhaled her shoulders relaxing slightly she stood brushing her hands against her jeans as she moved
toward the doorway Caleb she called what are you doing here he appeared in the entryway a faint smile on his lips he held up a small plastic bag he left this in the kitchen he said figured I'd drop it off Maggie frowned stepping closer inside the bag was a jar of honey one she vaguely remembered setting aside while they had been cleaning up she couldn't help but smile at his thoughtfulness you didn't have to do that she said taking the bag from him I was in the neighborhood he replied with a shrug but the way
his gaze lingered on her suggested otherwise well thank you Maggie said her voice soft she motioned toward the living room do you want to sit for a bit I just made tea Caleb hesitated for a moment before nodding sure he said I could use a break they moved to the living room the air between them carrying a quiet tension that neither seemed willing to acknowledge Maggie poured him a cup of tea her movements careful and deliberate as though this simple act required her full concentration when she handed him the cup their fingers brushed briefly and
she felt a small jolt a fleeting but unmistakable Sensation that made her pulse Quicken they sat across from each other the coffee table a barrier that felt both necessary and suffocating for a while they sipped their tea in Silence the weight of unspoken thoughts filling the room Maggie could feel Caleb watching her his gaze steady and searching and it made her chest tighten you seem distracted he said finally breaking the silence Maggie looked up her green eyes meeting his just tired she said the excuse feeling Hollow even as she spoke it Caleb nodded but his
expression was thoughtful you've been through a lot he said gently it's okay to feel overwhelmed the sincerity in his voice caught her off guard and she felt a lump form in her throat she looked away her gaze falling to her hands as she tried to steady herself I'm fine she said her voice firmer now really you don't have to be Caleb said his tone soft but insistent not with me Maggie's breath hitched at his words and she felt a wave of emotions rise within her gratitude vulnerability and something warmer something more dangerous she looked back
at him her chest tightening as she saw the concern in his hazel eyes well are you so kind to me she asked asked her voice barely above a whisper Caleb hesitated his gaze dropping to his tea for a moment before returning to her because you deserve it he said simply the words hung in the air heavy with meaning Maggie's throat tightened and she blinked back the tears that threatened to fall she hadn't felt this scene this understood in years it was terrifying and exhilarating all at once thank you she said finally her voice trembling for
everything Caleb smiled a small genuine smile that made her chest ache anytime he said they lapsed into silence again but this time it felt different the tension was still there but it was accompanied by a quiet understanding a shared moment that neither of them wanted to end Maggie found herself studying him noticing detail she hadn't before the faint stubble on his jaw the way his hair fell slightly over his forehead the way his eyes seemed to hold both wisdom and vulnerability you've grown up so much she said softly the words slipping out before she could
stop them Caleb chuckled a low warm sound that sent a shiver down her spine I guess I have he said but you're still the same strong stubborn incredible Maggie's cheeks flushed and she looked away her heart pounding she felt a strange mix of embarrassment and something warmer something she didn't dare name you give me too much credit she said her voice shaky I don't think I do Caleb replied his tone Earnest you don't see yourself the way I do the words struck her like a bolt of lightning leaving her breathless she looked up at him
her green eyes wide and for a moment the world seemed to stop the air between them was electric charged with emotions they couldn't ignore Maggie's mind raced a whirlwind of thoughts and fears and possibilities she wanted to say something to break the tension but the words wouldn't come instead she sat Frozen her heart pounding as she tried to make sense of the moment and then Caleb spoke his voice soft but steady Maggie he said her name carrying a weight that made her chest ache I mean it you're amazing and I just I think you should
know that uh Maggie's breath caught and she felt a single tear slip down her cheek she reached up to wipe it away her hands trembling you don't know how much that means to me she said her voice breaking I think I do Caleb said his gaze unwavering the room fell silent again but this time it was a silence filled with possibility Maggie didn't know what would happen next but she knew one thing for certain everything had changed the house was cloaked in the Deep Stillness that only comes with Nightfall the kind of quiet that seemed
to amplify every Sound Outside a faint Breeze rustled through the trees brushing their Shadows against the Windows like Whispers of an unseen presence inside the air was Heavy charged with an intensity that neither Maggie nor Caleb dared to address directly Maggie sat in the corner of the living room a book lying unopened in her lap the words on the cover blurred as her thoughts raced far too loud to focus on anything else the dim light of the table lamp cast soft golden Hues across the room but the warmth of the glow did little to ease
the chill that had settled deep within her she could hear Caleb moving in the kitchen the occasional clink of a glass or the sound of water running in the sink his presence was a comfort and a challenge a reminder of everything that had been left unsaid between them when he finally entered the living room the soft Creek of the floorboards under his feet made her heart leap Maggie looked up her green eyes meeting his Hazel ones and in that moment the room seemed to shrink around them Caleb hesitated in the doorway his tall frame illuminated
By the Light spilling from the kitchen behind him he looked unsure almost vulnerable as though he was trying to decide whether to step forward or Retreat can I sit he asked his voice soft almost hesitant Maggie nodded her throat tightening she gestured to the armchair across from her and Caleb moved toward it lowering himself into the seat with a careful deliberation that made her chest ache the coffee table between them felt like a fragile barrier holding back the weight of everything they were avoiding for a moment neither of them spoke the silence stretched thick and
oppressive as though the house itself was waiting for one of them to break it Maggie's hand tightened around the edges of her book her Knuckles turning white as she struggled to find her voice Caleb she began her tone wavering we need to talk his gaze sharpened the hesitation in his expression replaced by something more focused he leaned forward slightly resting his elbows on his knees I know he said simply Maggie's chest tightened further at the Simplicity of his response she set the book aside her hands trembling as she clasped them together in her lap I
don't even know where to start she admitted her voice barely above a whisper then let me Caleb said his tone steady but not forceful his hazel eyes locked onto hers unwavering as though he was searching for something in her expression I've been holding back because I didn't want to make things harder for you but I can't keep pretending that I don't feel what I feel Maggie's breath hitched her heart pounding against her ribs like a wild animal trying to escape she looked away her gaze falling to the coffee table as she tried to steady herself
Caleb This is complicated she said her voice trembling there's so much we haven't considered I've considered everything Caleb replied his voice firmer now I've thought about it every day every moment I'm around you and I know it's not simple but that doesn't make it any less real Maggie closed her eyes her chest aching with the weight of his words she wanted to argue to tell him he was wrong but the truth was she felt it too the connection between them the pole that seemed to draw them closer with every interaction it was undeniable no matter
how much she tried to ignore it well now she asked her voice breaking slightly why are you telling me this now because I can't keep it inside anymore Caleb said his tone softening I can't sit here and act like everything is normal when it's not not for me Maggie looked up at him her green eyes glistening with unshed tears you don't understand she said her voice trembling I've spent so long trying to rebuild my life to prove that I can do this on my own and now and now you don't have to Caleb interrupted gently
he leaned forward further his hands resting on the edge of the coffee table Maggie you don't have to go through this alone whatever this is whatever happens I'm here for you his words hung in the air heavy with meaning and Maggie felt a tear slip down her cheek she reached up to wipe it away her hands trembling I'm scared she admitted her voice barely above a whisper I'm scared of what this means of what it could do to us I am too Caleb said his voice filled with quiet intensity but I'd rather face that fear
than spend the rest of my life wondering what could have been Maggie's heart achd at the vulnerability in his tone the raw honesty in his expression she looked at him really looked at him and saw the sincerity in his hazel eyes the same eyes that had always looked at her with kindness with understanding and now with something more I don't know if I can do this she said finally her voice trembling I don't know if I'm strong enough you are Caleb said without hesitation you're stronger than you think and you don't have to do it
alone we'll figure it out together Maggie's chest tightened her breath catching as she felt the weight of his words sink in she wanted to believe him to trust in the possibility of something good something real but the fear of the unknown the fear of what they might lose held her back we need time she said her voice firmer now we need to take this slow to figure out what this really is Caleb nodded his expression softening I'll follow your lead he said quietly whatever you need Maggie I'm here the sincerity in his voice the quiet
determination in his eyes made her chest ache she reached out her fingers brushing against his hand in a tentative gesture of trust for a moment the world seemed to still the space between them charged with unspoken emotions as the clock on the mantle chimed softly marking the hour Maggie realized that this conversation was only the beginning the path ahead was uncertain filled with challenges and choices they couldn't yet foresee but for the first time in a long time she felt a glimmer of hope a fragile flickering light in the darkness the night was unusually quiet
the kind of Stillness that seemed to amplify every Creek of the house and every breath taken within its walls Maggie sat alone in the living room the soft glow of the lamp casting Long Shadows across the room the book she had attempted to read earlier lay forgotten on the coffee table its Pages splayed open like an unresolved question she stared at the darkened window her reflection faint against the glass and for the first time in years she felt completely exposed not to the world but to herself her thoughts were a tangled web every strand leading
back to Caleb his words from their last conversation echoed in her mind their honesty and vulnerability cutting through the walls she had spent years building she had always prided herself on her independence on her ability to navigate life's challenges alone but now she found herself questioning everything she thought she knew knew about strength and Solitude the faint sound of footsteps on the stairs broke her revery Maggie's heart skipped a beat her breath catching in her throat she wasn't ready to face him not tonight not when her emotions felt so raw but there was no escaping
this Caleb's presence in the house was an undeniable reality and she knew they couldn't keep tiptoeing around the tension between them my footsteps grew louder more liberate until they stopped just outside the living room Maggie turned her head slightly her gaze fixed on the doorway Caleb appeared moments later his tall frame silhouetted against the dim light from the hallway he hesitated for a moment his hazel eyes searching hers as though seeking permission to enter couldn't sleep he asked softly his voice low but steady Maggie shook her head her lips curving into a faint humorless smile
seems to be a theme lately she replied Caleb stepped into the room his movements careful almost tentative he didn't sit right away instead standing near the armchair as though he was waiting for her to invite him further into her space the air between them was Heavy charged with unspoken words and emotions neither of them knew how to articulate do you want to talk about it Caleb asked his tone gentle but insistent Maggie looked away her gaze falling to her hands which were clenched tightly in her lap I don't know if talking will help she admitted
it feels like the more we talk the more complicated things get sometimes it has to get complicated before it gets clear Caleb said his voice tinged with quiet conviction he lowered himself into the armchair across from her leaning forward slightly with his elbows resting on his knees but we can't keep avoiding this Maggie not anymore her chest tightened at his words a mix of fear and relief washing over her she had spent so long running from her feelings convincing herself that denying them was the safest option but Caleb's steady presence his unwavering patience made it
impossible to keep running you don't understand she said finally her voice trembling you don't know what it's like to feel this this scared to feel like everything you've built could crumble in an instant Caleb's hazel eyes softened and he reached out his hand resting lightly on the edge of the coffee table between them then let me understand he said let me in Maggie I'm here because I want to be because I care about you but I need you to let me her breath hitched her chest aching with the weight of his words she looked at
him really looked at him and saw the quiet strength in his expression the same strength that had drawn her to him in ways she hadn't dared to acknowledge I don't know how to do this she admitted her voice barely above a whisper I don't know how to let someone in Caleb's gaze didn't waver his expression steady and reassuring you don't have to know he said we'll figure it out together but you don't have to do it alone the sincerity in his voice the quiet determination in his eyes made her throat tighten she felt a tear
slip down her cheek and she reached up to wipe it away her hand trembling you make it sound so simple she said her voice breaking it's not simple Caleb said his tone firm but gentle but it's worth it you're worth it Maggie's chest achd a mixture of fear and longing coursing through her she wanted to believe him to trust in the possibility of something good something real but the walls she had built around herself were high and letting them crumble felt like an impossible task I'm scared she said finally her voice trembling I'm scared of
what this means of what it could do to us Caleb nodded his expression thoughtful I'm scared too he said but I'd rather face that fear than lose the chance to see where this could go his words hung in the air heavy with meaning and Maggie felt a flicker of something she hadn't felt in years hope it was fragile tentative but it was there and it made her chest tighten in a way that was both painful and exhilarating for a moment they sat in Silence the weight of their conversation settling around them like a quiet storm
Maggie looked at Caleb her green eyes searching his for answers she wasn't sure she was ready to find and yet in his steady gaze she felt a sense of reassurance a quiet strength that made her want to believe I don't know where this will lead she said finally her voice soft but steady but I don't want to run from it anymore Caleb's lips curved into a faint smile his relief evident in the way his shoulders relaxed that's all I needed to hear he said Maggie exhaled deeply a weight lifting from her chest even as new
questions formed in her mind the path ahead was uncertain filled with challenges and risks they couldn't yet foresee but for the first time in a long time she felt a sense of possibility a flicker of light in the darkness the early morning sunlight crept through the curtains Illuminating the room with a soft golden hue that seemed almost otherworldly Maggie sat on the edge of the sofa her fingers absent-mindedly tracing the edge of her mug the tea inside long forgotten her reflection in the window faint and ethereal mirrored the conflicting emotions storming within her the house
was quiet save for the faint Creek of old wood and the distant hum of bird song but the silence wasn't peaceful it was electric charged with all the things left unsaid she had spent the entire night turning over their conversation replaying every word every glance the weight of Caleb's sincerity lingered wrapping around her like an invisible tether there was no escaping the truth something had shifted between them it was undeniable like a current pulling them both toward uncharted waters and that terrified her the sound of footsteps descending the stairs broke through her thoughts sharp and
deliberate Maggie froze her pulse quickening she hadn't expected him to come down so early she hadn't prepared herself for this moment the footsteps grew closer each one sending ripples through her chest until Caleb appeared in the doorway he was Barefoot his dark hair tossled from sleep wearing only a fitted t-shirt and sweatpants that hung low on his hips the soft Morning Light caught the sharp angles of his jaw the relaxed strength in his frame he looked impossibly casual yet somehow entirely deliberate his presence filling the room like a quiet storm couldn't sleep either huh his
voice was low slightly hoarse and it sent a shiver through her that she hoped he didn't notice Maggie cleared her throat gripping the mug tighter as if it could anchor her not really she said her voice steady but quiet too much on my mind same Caleb replied stepping into the room he leaned casually against the doorway Crossing his arms over his chest the movement Drew her eyes unbidden to the subtle Flex of muscle beneath his shirt she quickly averted Ed her gaze her cheeks warming he tilted his head slightly studying her with that same quiet
intensity that always managed to unravel her you've been up all night he observed you should have woken me Maggie forced a small smile brushing a strand of hair behind her ear what would that have solved she asked her tone light but tinged with something deeper Caleb's lips curved into a faint smile though his eyes remained serious maybe nothing he admitted but you wouldn't have been alone the sincerity in his voice struck her soft but firm and it made her chest tighten she looked away her gaze dropping to the mug in her hands I've gotten used
to being alone she murmured more to herself than to him you shouldn't have to be Caleb said his voice steady but filled with something she couldn't quite name he stepped closer then his movements slow and deliberate Maggie felt her pulse Quicken her breath catching as he crossed the invisible line she hadn't even realized she'd drawn he stopped just a foot away his presence overwhelming in the small space she could feel the warmth radiating from him the faint scent of Cedar and something unmistakable hym Maggie he said softly her name on his lips carrying a weight
that made her shiver we can't keep dancing around this her heart pounded a wild Rhythm that echoed in her ears she looked up at him her green eyes meeting his Hazel ones there was no hesitation in his gaze only quiet determination and something deeper something that made her breath hitch This is complicated she said her voice trembling slightly you know that I know Caleb said his tone gentle but firm but that doesn't make it any less real Maggie opened her mouth to argue to push him away but the words wouldn't come he reached out then
his hand brushing lightly against her arm the touch was barely there a whisper of contact but it sent a jolt through her that she couldn't ignore you feel it too he said his voice low and steady it wasn't a question it was a quiet undeniable truth Maggie's breath caught her chest tightening as she struggled to find her footing in the moment she wanted to deny it to tell him he was wrong but the intensity in his gaze the quiet certainty in his voice left her defenseless Caleb she began her voice barely audible but before she
could say more he stepped closer his hand slipping from her arm arm to gently cup her face just tell me one thing he said his voice softer now almost pleading do you want this her chest achd with the weight of his question the raw vulnerability in his eyes she felt like she was standing on the edge of a cliff the ground crumbling beneath her feet but there was no fear in his gaze only patience and that made her want to LEAP I don't know she whispered her voice trembling I don't know how to want something
without being afraid of losing it you don't have to be afraid Caleb said his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek not with me Maggie's resolve crumbled a single tear slipping down her cheek she reached up her fingers curling lightly around his wrist I don't know how to do this she admitted her voice breaking but I don't want to run anymore that's all I needed to hear Caleb said softly he leaned in then his forehead resting lightly against hers the moment hung suspended the world around them Fading Into nothing Maggie closed her eyes her breath mingling
with his and for the first time in years she felt something close to peace the Morning Light continued to filter through the curtains casting the room in a warm Golden Glow outside the world carried on as if nothing had changed but for Maggie everything had shifted and there was no turning back
