Darling, you'll be okay

I'm not sure who cried harder: me or Tristan. He felt bad for not telling me sooner and I felt like shit for accusing him of cheating.

We curled up on the couch together. He cradled me in his arms. I allowed my head to rest on his chest as he gently stroked my hair.

He lifted my chin up so that he could look into my eyes. He kissed me softly.

I wasn't sure how to feel. I know that I could never replace Katrina. It's not like they had broken up because of fighting. He obviously still loved her.

I guess I looked worried because Tristan spoke softly to me, wondering how I was. "Lena, are you okay... Are we okay?"

I sighed softly. No, I'm not okay... "Never better," I whispered. "Are you okay?" I was genuinely concerned about him. "You can talk about her if it helps."

He sighed, readjusting our position so that I was sitting on his lap. "I met Katrina a little over two years ago..." He began.

"She caught my attention because she was always smiling, always happy, always kind to everyone," his eyes brightened. I was definitely not her. I couldn't match up. "About half way through our relationship, we discovered she had cancer." His eyes misted over with emotion.

"I'm sorry..." He choked. This was hard for him. He wiped his eyes and continued.

"She had radiation treatment. She lost all of her hair. I would always stay with her, holding her hand to make her feel less alone, less afraid. Her favorite was when I sang to her. I called her every night and sang her favorite song to her. That was the only way she could fall asleep. She was restless and terrified otherwise. Her favorite song... "Hold on till May. Her favorite line was "Darling, you'll be okay."

And I thought the song was for me... I thought it was special. I couldn't help but feel a little envious of Katrina.

Wow. What the fuck is wrong with you, Lena. You're with her boyfriend. You took the one thing that was beyond important to her: Tristan. They were soul mates.

"She did hold on till may... But in the middle of the month, May 18, I lost her..." His tears flowed freely now.

I held him tightly until I felt his chest move up and down at a steady rate. He was asleep. I gently uncurled myself from him and made for the door: I had to get home.

I was nearly out when I heard a soft moan from the couch: Tristan had woken up. "Lena..." He looked confused. Adorably confused, for a moment. My heart lurched. Then he spotted me.

He closed the distance between us. His fingers traced my jaw gently. He pulled me in for a passionate kiss. I kissed him back with just as much emotion.

"Lena, I love you," he whispered.

Notes