"I think about you every night
I'm in love and it feels so right,
I never meant to hurt you or cause you pain . . ."

~^~Every Time I Close My Eyes~^~
Chapter Fifteen

"Natasha . . .oh god . . .Natasha I'm so sorry," Howie started to cry as he gripped on to Natasha's hand. It was so small compared to his own and her skin looked so fair compared to his natural tanned skin. He looked up at her face which had a few scrapes but nothing big that would be permanent. He starred at her laying their so peacefully. He remembered the way she would lay next to him at night when they were engaged. Laying their asleep in his arms he felt he could stay with her forever.

His thoughts were interrupted as Natasha's eyes slowly fluttered open. "H . . .How . . .Howie?" she said as she tried to focus her eyes.

"Oh my god you're awake!" Howie exclaimed his face lighting up with happiness.

"Oh my gosh," Natasha said looking at her arms noticing the IVs. She started to cry.

"Oh it will be ok. Natasha you had us all so worried," Howie said pulling her into his arms.

Startled she slowly pushed him away. "Howie, I'm sorry its just right now I don't think you should be here. I mean what will your girlfriend think?"

A little hurt Howie decided to tell her everything. "Natasha, Marie was a fake. I don't even know how she found me here. She is not my girlfriend, she never was, and she never will be. She was just trying to scare you away. That's why she kissed me that night on stage. I tried to tell you but you wouldn't listen. I think she has problems. I even got a restraining order on her which she has obviously broken."

Natasha averted her eyes away from his. "So what exactly are you trying to say then?"

"Natasha, I love you. I've always loved you. From the moment we met, and during the four months we were apart. All I could seem to think about was you," he replied tilting her chin up so he could look into those blue eyes he had missed for so long.

"Howie, I'm not sure what to say . . .It's just I'm so confused right now. I love you too," she said choking out the words she had wanted to say in so long.

A smile crossed his face. "Natasha, you don't know how happy it makes me to hear you say that."

"But, I don't know if things could ever be the same between us. If they could ever go back to the way things were," Natasha replied placing a shaky hand on his shoulder.

To Chapter Sixteen