“Come on Nina, you can’t avoid doing things just because you’re afraid you will get hurt.”“I’ll fall. I always fall and I don’t do it gracefully. I land hard and I usually break something. I’m a walking disaster just waiting to happen. Don’t you understand?”“I understand Nina, but this time it’s different.”“Why? How could this time possibly be any different than the others?”“It’s different, because this time I’m here to catch you.”

“Connor, you don’t understand. I’llfall. I always fall and I don’t do it gracefully. I land hardand I usually break something. I’m a walking disaster just waitingto happen. Don’t you understand?” Well hell, maybe I’m not talkingabout ice skating either." -Nina Ryan,”

“What do I need to do to get you to trust me?   What do you want from me?”   He yells. I steel myself and look up into his panicked eyes and fight the pull I feel at coming in contact with those sapphires again.   “Nothing! I don’t want anything from you!”   I shout out the biggest lie I have ever told in my entire life.   Connor’s eyes widen at my words and his face falls, every ounce of fire gone from his gaze.   He backs away then smiles weakly at me.“Well, Merry Fucking Christmas Nina, because you have it all anyway.”

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’m asking anyway. Trust me. Trust me without knowing all the facts.”

“That horrible stinging sensation returned, the muscles behind my eyes straining as the first tear began to fall. “I’m scared, too. For eighteen months now, I’ve lived in terror, fearing everything and everyone. I don’t want to be scared anymore. The only time I’ve ever felt safe is in your arms. I love you, and I just want to let you in all the way. So please. Please fill me with love, because I can’t bear to be filled with fear anymore. It’s suffocating me.”

“I never thought that this moment would come for me.   My whole life has been shaped to protect me and keep my heart safe.   I know that I’m about to change all of that and I should be terrified.   I lean forward and brush my lips across his.   The fact that the fear never comes and all I can think about is Connor and his mouth on mine gives me the courage to speak.   “Connor, make love to me.”   I say against his lips.”

“I will always carry you Princess. Not everyone can say they have held their entire Universe in their arms.”