WITHOUT YOU

The chilly weather had only gotten worst and she tightened her grip on her knee length coat. Donned in black jeans which snugged tightly against her skin, a long sleeved pale blue cotton shirt and a scarf and a little beneath knee- length boots, the cold was even harsher than yesterday and her clothing did nothing to minimise the cold penetrating her slim body. Today was her day off, but poor her, she had to step out in this cruel weather to collet some important papers. Watching the few remaining golden brown leaves fall graciously in the heap at the foot of the trees, she couldn't help but sigh. Seasons were passing by, each year there was a new resolution, even people changed with the course life often took, but….. Her feelings for him didn't change. And she couldn't even berate herself for reminding that one person who had been her life, because she had given him everything she had, and he took everything she had given to him and gave nothing in return thinking that she expected nothing in return. And the only thing she could remember was his departure, from this country and from her life. Nevertheless, in the last four years, she had changed herself into a more determined writer for her column and had consolidated herself so that nobody could beak her like a miserable and delicate china doll. However the last thing she ever expected was to find him in her office, his back to her, drinking coffee like he belonged there.

He had no idea why he was here; he cursed his abruptness under his breath as he strolled in her office. For sure, it was not the first time he was back in this city; actually he never left the country, he had merely shifted to a better apartment in here itself, in New York. But at that time he had been indecisive about her and had needed more time to comprehend the relationship they had. Especially when he was a child who had witnessed the downfall of his parents' relationship, and now the birth of his two-day old nephew made him realise that he also wanted the whole I-want-to-settle- with-you-thing with her. However the only hurdle on his path was that if she would recognise him after four years, which were no less of four eras for him when he thought about his lonely moments. But then, when he started to think how he avoided her on occasions of brunches and Christmas dinners, he hoped she didn't forget about him, not when his sister had married her elder brother who just had a baby boy. She couldn't forget him.

But he didn't know that she could forget him if she wanted. What he also didn't know was that she wouldn't forget him, even if she had wanted. And these two phrases had different meaning which she would have loved to explain to him; alas it would have been a waste of time as he didn't even care to remember her on certain sunny or rainy when they cuddle together on the couch. Taking a deep breath and repeating the mantra 'He could do no harm anymore', she entered her office where papers were scattered on her working table, walking stiffly to sort them out.

"Mal" was the word which made her heart flutter at the sound of his voice which was now deeper and made more butterflies flutter in her insides.

"What?" She asked which an annoyed tone despite promising herself she would keep her cool.

"I'm back, Mal"

"So?" She said feeling the heat from the anger which was rising into a vicious and unstoppable storm. And at specific moment her eyes grey eyes clashed with this deep blue ones, anger seeping through every nook of her body.

Letting out a sigh, Flynn decided there must at least be someone to keep his cool and that would be him. So decided to play it in his way, he started to explain himself in his practiced tone to speak as he usually did when prosecuting in the court room.

"Listen, Mal, I kno-"

"Cut off the freaking explanation, Flynn. And so as for you to know this isn't your bloody courtroom. So get your ass out of here. Please, remember when you walked out on me, just like that and I'll forget I even saw your face."

"Mal, list-"

"And it's Malory Stinson to you." She said through gritted teeth as she threw some of the papers which she was gathering in her hand absentmindedly on the floor deeming them useless.

Glancing at the papers, he decided had had enough. And grabbed both her of wrist in his own hands and was overwhelmed by the sight of her hands in his own fitting perfectly as ever.

"Listen to me Mal, and yes, you're always going to be Mal for me. I'm sorry. I was just … just not up for this thing we had. I was scared and deep down I never wished to hurt. But the thought of hurting you was just too much. I wouldn't have able to bear the fact that I hurt you. God, Mal." He said when she continued to struggle against his hold and caught both of her wrists in his hand to brush her fallen black hair from her face.

"I love you Mal."

Malory stopped her struggle from freeing her hands, and her eyes widened against her volition.

Seeing her unreactive from his confession he lessened his hold on her, but kept her warm hands in his.

"Since always Mal, I've been in love with you since a long time which always seemed like forever. I just didn't… Wouldn't dare to take such a huge step fearing it turned out to be a big failure. Jesus, you're the only woman who made me thrive for someone so badly and here you are throwing papers and curses at me. You're the most amazing woman I ever met Mal. In the last four years there wasn't a day , hell there wasn't a single freaking moment when you didn't appear in my vision and smiled that gorgeous smil-"

The rest of his words died on his lips which were captured by her soft and sweet ones. He released her hands to cup her cheek and snaked her waist with the other hand. Their lips were locked in a heated lip lock, passion coursing in her bloodstream, thinking about moments when she would feel so wanted by someone, who would say things which would melt her into a puddle. His hands brought her closer closing any distance, brushing her soft hair from her face. Wanting to taste her desperately, he bit her lower lip, making her gasp. Tongue playing fervently against each other, they broke their kiss and pressed his forehead against hers. Panting he tucked her long black hair and pressed a kiss on her closed eye lids beckoning her to open her eyes.

"I missed you Flynn. You are such a….. Pig" She struggled for a retort but couldn't. Damn, who could even utter words after a heart-warming confession and a sensual kiss? He chuckled at her words.

"But you love this pig huh?"

"Yes, I do. I love you Flynn."

Ad they hugged each other. Her face concealed in the side of his neck and his cheek on the side of her head.

"Oh, there's something else I was supposed to do."

She gasped when she saw him get down on his knee and held a ring with a single diamond in the middle, just the perfect one, simple, dashing and elegant.

"So Malory Stinson, will you have the tremendous pleasure of chasing any clinging female by being my sweet and gorgeous and lovable wife and have many kids with your hair and my eyes, your intelligence and my stubbornness, your naughtiness and my haughtiness?"

Stepping forward she held her hand towards him, and without waiting a beat, he slipped the ring on her finger and scooping her up for another ardent kiss on the lips. Collecting the papers she needed she left the building with her hand in his.

"So Mal, what do you want a baby girl or a baby boy? Maybe we should start to think about it to avoid issues like your brother was facing. What do you think?"

"Hmmm, I agree and this nice thought is all due to my sweet and endearing thought, you see."

"Oh god, I don't know what I would have been without you, Mal."