What Love Sees

Nine

Elizabeth beamed as everyone sang a happy birthday to her, she smiled as she looked around at her family and friends, she looked radiant and everyone commented on how beautiful she looked, she tucked her hand firmly into Richard’s arm as they walked around saying hello

Richard whispered in Elizabeth’s ear that he had to see someone, but she held on tightly to his arm

“You’re not going to leave me all by myself today Richard Waters” Elizabeth whispered fiercely and then smiled sweetly, “Now come one, let’s go say hello to my dad and his friends”

Robert kissed his daughter on the cheeks and raised his glass to her, “This is to you my dear, may this new year of your life be an even better one. You have been successful in your life and in your job, I am proud of you and your mother and I hope to hear greater news later today” he said and smiled at Richard, Elizabeth squeezed Richard’s arm and kissed his cheek

“Hear that Richard?” she asked, Richard smiled at her and gently tugged his arm away from Elizabeth’s hold

“If you’ll both excuse me, I need to see someone” he said and Elizabeth watched him walk away

Maybelline took Elizabeth’s arm, she smiled and asked where Richard was off to

“I don’t know mum, I told him he should not abandon me today of all days so he should be back soon and I hope to keep him on my arms throughout the night and after”,

“Good, it’s about time this is moved forward, Emily and I are expecting the news soon just as your father said” she said and squeezed Elizabeth’s hand.

Natalie was standing in the balcony with Karen as Karen played the video of her latest performance, Natalie listened intently

“Come one Karen, don’t lose hope, I know you’ll perform the song better the next time”,

“That’s if they call me back”, grumbled Karen but Natalie smiled, “You were just nervous, I’ve heard you perform that song many times, so I’m sure you’ll get a repeat performance”

“You are too optimistic Natalie, I tell you, the song was a flush, and I won’t be able to show my face in class for a long time” said Karen and Natalie laughed

“It’s all right Karen, you were obviously just nervous because Regan was there” teased Natalie

“Oh don’t remind me” groaned Karen and Natalie hugged her, “Trust me, it will be much better the next time”

“You always see the bright side of everything Natalie Stirling and I love that about you” said Karen

“So do I, hello Karen”, it was Richard and Natalie jumped at the sound of his voice

“Hello Richard, haven’t seen you all evening” said Karen as she hugged him

“Just got here not long, hello Natalie”

Natalie calmly said hello but her heart was beating so fast and loud that it was deafening, she had missed his voice, she had missed the tenderness in his voice and she had missed hearing him call her name, she missed their conversations and their friendship, she missed him.

After running out of excuses for not seeing him, Natalie had finally told Richard to please not call her or come see her, he had finally agreed but said he was not going to give up and would give her some time to think about it and warned her that nothing was going to change his mind about her.

There was an awkward silence, Karen looked at Richard who was looking at Natalie, she cleared her throat and mumbled that she would go get a drink and hurried away

“You sure do know how to hide from someone Natalie, you should be in the CIA”, said Richard but he was not smiling

“Why are you doing this to me Natalie? Why are you doing this to us?” but Natalie could not speak, she was afraid she would burst into tears if she tried to say anything,

“I have missed you Natalie, much more than I can say, I thought I’d give you space and time to think things through, but I can’t wait any more my darling, I love you”,

“Please stop Richard, we shouldn’t be having this conversation”, whispered Natalie brokenly

“It’s been forever since I have seen you or talked to you, I have missed you terribly, Damn it Natalie, I almost went insane these past few weeks, not seeing you, hearing your voice or touching you and now you are telling me we shouldn’t be having this conversation. I love you and I know you feel something for me, I see it when we are together so don’t you dare tell me not to have this conversation”

Natalie remained silent and this only made Richard angry, “Talk to me Natalie, talk to me damn it!”

Natalie was furious as she turned around to him, there was pain and anger in her face,

“You can’t love me Richard, look at me, I am blind, blind as a bat, and I don’t even know what you look like for God sake. Elizabeth is in there; everyone is waiting for you to propose to Elizabeth, not me Richard. You can’t love me Richard, I don’t have anything to offer you, what kind of future can I give you, I will not be a burden to you”

“I can and I am in love with you Natalie, you and not Elizabeth, get that into your head. You’re the woman I love, not your sister. I have seen you, I know you are blind Natalie but that doesn’t make any difference” he argued fiercely but Natalie shook her head

“It does Richard; it does, what would people say, your family, and friends? I will be a burden to you, what will happen months from now, years from now? It takes determination to commit in a relationship such as this”, Natalie sighed

“I have been in relationships before and I know what I am talking about”

Richard took a deep breath and sighed, he took Natalie’s hand in his and put it against his chest

“Natalie, you are one of the smartest people I know, you are very special, others may not know it but I do. All those times we spent together, you have taught me more than any one has ever done, you’ve brought such joy, excitement and love to my life and I don’t give a damn what other people think, I’m not going to let that go and I am committed to you Natalie. I don’t know what will happen years from now but I need you to trust me and the love I have for you that we will face it together and overcome it.

“You’re not one helpless female Natalie, you’re fierce and independent and ambitious, you may be a lot of things Natalie Stirling but helpless, burden and weak are not among them” said Richard and he kissed her hand

“You feel something for me Natalie, don’t you? Please give this a chance, you do have feelings for me Natalie, no matter how little it may be I don’t care, do you Natalie? Do you?”

Natalie burst into tears and nodded,

“Yes I do Richard, I love you, that’s what’s even worse, God knows I shouldn’t but I do love you” she said through her tears, Richard smiled and pulled her into his arms

“What about Elizabeth?” Natalie whispered

“I’ve told your sister many times that there can be nothing between us, besides, she doesn’t love me, she doesn’t know what love is” said Richard and almost in a whisper he continued

“I didn’t either till I met you Natalie, you taught me to see and appreciate the things in my life, I have come to see you and love you for who you are Natalie and for the record, I have told my parents that I don’t intend to marry Elizabeth, it’s you I want, if you will have me”, Natalie started shaking her head but Richard only held her tightly in his arms

“I don’t know what you’ve been through Natalie but I will not hurt you, I love you too damn much to think of hurting you” he said and kissed her

“This is where you belong, it is where I belong, and we belong to one another”

He kissed her again; Natalie’s arms were still by her side as many thoughts ran through her mind

“You know, this is the part you put your arms around me, I promise, I won’t bite”

Natalie laughed and sobbed at the same time as she threw her arms around Richard’s neck

“Tell me again that you love me”

Natalie sighed “I love you Richard Waters, I don’t know how or why but I do”

“You love me, that is what’s most important and I’m never letting you go” said Richard and gathered her in his arms and held her tightly.