Chapter 17: Reconciliation.

Morgan didn't disappoint.

"We need to sort out our relationship," she said as we were having breakfast the next morning.

"It's a little early in the day for it, but you're right. Mind if I go first?"

"Not at all."

I took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. "From that Monday night, I knew that we had something. I didn't consider pursuing it then, but simply recognized its existence. As it turned out, we were given an opportunity to explore it, and the last week has been wonderful." I paused, then continued, "I meant it when I said I loved you. And I'll continue to do so until you tell me to go away."

"What about Maddie?"

"What about Olivia? What about Anya?" I replied. "All three of them still mean a great deal to me. However, those relationships are history. I don't believe in hanging around when I'm not wanted anymore, and closure's not that important when one has a stubborn streak the size of Texas." She smiled at that. "Love doesn't conquer all; it ends, as do all good things. For me, it has ended with all of my previous relationships; with you, it has just begun."

She was silent for a few breaths. "Is it my turn?"

"Yes."

"I... don't know if I'm in love with you. I want to be with you, but we both know that's not the same thing. I'm not sure I can reconcile us being in love with the fact that you and Maddie were in love with each other. I'm scared of how quickly you changed between Maddie and I, and I'm afraid that you might leave me behind just as easily."

"I learned a long time ago that sitting around pining for someone doesn't get you anywhere. You have to learn to move on. In Maddie's case," I smiled sadly, "I might have moved on a bit faster than necessary. Still, you aren't a rebound. I'm not using you to get over Maddie because I care for you too much to let that happen. I could have pushed you away Friday night, but I believed that we had something between us that would have developed after Maddie and I broke up, regardless of the timetable.

Almost all of my relationships ended with the other person breaking up with me. If you ever decide to do that, I'll be hurt deeply, but I'll find a way to leave you in the past as well. But you'll never have to worry about me leaving you as long as you're with me." I started singing softly, "I don't care who you are, where you're from, what you did, as long as you love me..."

"You're reading that off the wall," she accused.

"Actually, it's behind me, as you might have noticed."

"Will you be willing to wait for me? To sort out everything?"

"You know I will."

"Good." However, she looked visibly torn, as if there was something else she wanted to say.

"There's something else, isn't there?"

"It's about Maddie."

"You want us to be friends again." A statement, not a question.

"Yes. Regardless of the consequences. If it turns out that you two get back together, I'll find a way to deal with it."

"Um, Morgan?"

"Hmmm?"

"Do you honestly believe that what we have between us isn't real? Because you seem to think that Maddie and I are meant for each other. Last time I checked, destiny didn't go for threesomes."

"I want you to be happy."

"I am happy. With you. Don't ever forget that," I said earnestly. "Besides, no one can sing with me as well as you do."

"That's a great recommendation for a lasting relationship."

"It couldn't hurt. But, as to Maddie... when did you want us on speaking terms again?"

"Before I leave. How about sometime later today?"

"Why the rush?"

"So that you and Maddie have the two weeks while I'm gone to figure things out by yourselves."

"You either have a lot of faith in me, or you're convinced that Maddie and I are destined to be together. I really hope it's the former."

"I want to know for sure. If you two are still just friends when I come back, then I'll never have to worry about the two of you again."

"You're assuming that both of us are amenable to being on speaking terms again."

"You're not?"

"It's not on my to-do list, but since you asked me to, yes. I suspect that convincing her may not be as easy."

"She's already agreed."

"You asked her first?"

"If you hadn't wanted to, I would have tried to convince you by mentioning that she was willing to meet. Turns out it wasn't necessary."

"When is this little arbitration talk supposed to take place?"

"You're mad at me, aren't you?"

"A little. Dinner, I assume?"

"At Carpenter's."

"Nice, public, neutral site."

"I need to run a few errands. Pick you up at seven?"

"See you then." I leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek.

Ah, the wonders of excessive pre-orchestration, I thought.

We had just been seated when Morgan promptly bolted. "I'll be upstairs," was all she would say. Five minutes later, I saw the maitre d' lead Maddie over to my table. She sat down, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Hello," she said softly.