The day was stretching into evening when Jerry moved across the Storm's backyard toward the Southwest corner of the house. He'd seen Kim head around that way earlier with her father. He glimpsed the area earlier, and knew that a bench swing was located there, partially hidden in the encircling shade of a stand of trees. As he rounded the corner, he saw her sitting there, apparently lost in thought. One of her feet barely touched the ground, pushing the swing idly back and forth.

Jerry stood and watched for a moment. In the midst of the trees on a dark wooden bench, he thought she looked like a beautiful spring nymph among the greens and the browns. It reminded him of the day that he had first seen her -- something about her just called to him. Made his heart go thump in his chest.

Stooping down he picked a floppy headed buttercup and started again toward the trees. He hadn't come earlier because he was afraid his present would have been an intrusion. But now, she was the only one on the bench. Her father had gone to assist her brothers in clearing the final remnants of the equipment that had been moved into the backyard for the cook out. Jerry's help had been politely waved off.

Kim looked up and smiled as she heard his approach. There was a light in her eyes that went right through him. Grinning goofily, he settled on the bench alongside her and offered her the small yellow flower.

Kim laughed as she accepted it. "Good thing you went for the weeds instead of my mom's flowerbeds. She's got a sixth sense for when they're in danger. "

Jerry laughed in response. "And I've got a strong sense of self-preservation."

"So much for risking your life for me. I suppose I'll have to settle for the strength of the thought." Though she teased him, she held the flower delicately, playing gently at its petals. "Thank you, Jerry."

"You're welcome, Kimmie." He said with an unapologetic grin in response to her reaction to the name. "I'm glad you introduced me to your family. And not just because I could learn little things like how much you hate to be called Kimmie. But I wanted to know what the people you grew up with were like. Who the people were who are important to you."

"You're important to me," Kim replied with unexpected seriousness. She reached up and touched the side of his race, running her fingers up into the short hairs along the sides of his head. "It took me a little while to figure it out. We've been together so much these past weeks with soccer and everything, it feels like we've been friends forever. And now that the season is ending. . . and the thought of us not being together anymore . . . "

Jerry reached up and took hold of her hand, kissed it. "We don't need reasons to see each other. Just because the season is ending doesn't mean that our friendship will. I told you that last night, remember?" He frowned a little, wondering if something more was bothering her.

"I remember," Kim replied a distant smile spreading over his face. "How could I forget?"

"Then what is it? What's wrong?" Jerry's worry was beginning to increase. He didn't think he could handle it if she pulled away again and decided to just be friends again.

"This is ridiculous," she looked away from him. "I just. . . " She shrugged and shook her head.

Jerry's heart lurched. No, she couldn’t do this. He touched the side of her cheek, urging her to lift her eyes toward his. "Kim?" He didn't like the uncertainty he heard in his own voice. After everything, he just didn't know if he would be able to take a step back. He'd been half in love with her since their first date. Spending the day with her and her family had sealed it for him. He'd given himself over unreservedly. He just couldn't do this now.

Kim looked up at him and her expression changed to one of surprise. "Oh, Jerry. No." She placed both her hands on either side of his face and practically climbed into lap and began to rain little kisses on his face. One landed on his lips and settled there.

Jerry's reaction was beyond his control. His arms came up and around her, his eyes closed and he kissed her back. His worries were nearly forgotten as he lost himself there. Emotions were running high, and within moments an apologetic kiss had flared to one full of passion. His arms tightened and his heart hammered into top speed. He was drowning, and he knew he had to pull away now or embarrass himself.

As gently as he could, he broke off the kiss and settled his forehead against hers for a moment. They both caught their breaths, seeming equally affected. After several moments, he drew back so that he could look at her.

"Tell me what was wrong," he asked softly. After that kiss he was no longer worried that she wanted to break off the relationship. But his worry returned as he saw her struggling with a response.

Finally she spoke. "I'm scared, Jerry."

Jerry blinked. He hadn't expected that. "Of what? Who?"

Kim smiled almost indulgently at him. "Of you. Of the way you make me feel. Of losing you when the relationship has run its course." Once she began speaking, she picked up steam. "I probably shouldn't have said anything. I don't want you to think that I don't trust you; I do. It's just. . . I was talking to my dad since he and mom kinda picked up on it --"

Jerry was stunned, and then he felt like laughing. Then he heard that she'd been discussing him with her father. "You told your dad?"

Kim nodded. "We talk about lots of things."

"You told your dad that I've left a trail of broken hearts and that you're afraid of being next? Are you sure I shouldn't be on the look out for a shot gun?"

Kim laughed at him. "No, you shouldn't. My father isn't some lunatic. He made some very nice comments in your favor. And he said I should tell you. Said that he had a feeling. I'm the one who bungled it."

Jerry breathed an exaggerated sigh of relief. "I thought I was a goner for a minute there." He then sobered. "Kimbra Davies, I have dated a lot of women. I'm not going to hide that. I'll admit that it got a little serious with several of them, but those relationships ended for whatever reasons. . But in all of that, do you know what never happened?"

"What never happened?"

"I never fell in love. I'd never wanted to be close to any one so much, never wanted to kiss any one, or look into her eyes, or feel her touch so much that I ache. I never gave away my heart Kim. But I give it to you, because you're the one I've fallen in love with."

Kim stared at him, an expression of awe on her face. Her eyes slowly filled. "Oh Jerry. I can't believe I'm going to cry. I never cry, but I think I've fallen in love with you, too."

"Oh honey." He took her face gently and wiped away the tears that had escaped. "Everything is going to be just fine. " He leaned in and kissed all of her tears away.

*

Margaret Storm sniffed as she stepped away from the window of the back guest room, allowing the curtains to fall closed. Her husband moved up behind her and enfolded her in his arms.

"What do you think?" he asked as he turned her to face him, leaving his arms looped lightly about her.

Margaret smiled up at the man she'd loved forever. "I think it's time I got to know Jerry's people. I've a feeling we're about to have some planning to do."