The Truth Revealed-Step Four

[OLIVER SEBASTIAN WELCOTT]

[/color] His deep, edgy voice clarified. You're far too young and pretty for a nursing home. Grinning slyly, he winked at her. He enjoyed teasing her a little bit here and there. But he would never intentionally tease her in a manner that would hurt her feelings. That wasn't in Oliver's nature. He had been told before that he must not have a malicious bone in his body. That of course, was not true. Everyone was malicious at some point or another in their lives.

They made small talk as Summer enjoyed her breakfast. When she finished, Oliver cleared the things away for her, before inquiring if she was in need of anything else. He was here for her every need and he made sure she knew that. When all was settled, Oliver scooted his chair closer to her beside and sat down. With a serious look on his face, he began to speak, slowly and a bit nervously. Summer? Can we...talk? About something serious..I mean? Oliver asked softly. At Summer's bidding, Oliver clenched his hands together, and rested his elbows on the edge of the bed and his chin atop his clenched hands.

Summer....I really like you... He chuckled softly. As if I haven't made that obvious. Lifting his head, he rubbed his hands together. I don't date, just to date... He swallowed and shrugged a little bit, then thought of how best to explain himself. I never did....And I'm not about to do that with you....You see...I want you and me to go further than just a date here or there...I want to have a relationship with you Summer... Oliver sighed and looked down at the floor for a moment. But you see...here's where it gets complicated. Biting his lip, he looked at her. God only knew what she must have been thinking of him. Oliver was quite sure he was going to scare her away with all this, which hurt, but it had to be said.

I've told you I was married before I came here...But there are some things about that, that I haven't told you. Oliver ran his hands through his hair, tugging gently at the ends. Lilian, was her name....And I met her in University. We got married just out of. And we had the picture perfect life. A gorgeous flat overlooking London, dream jobs, family surrounding us, and most importantly, each other....We were...on top of the world... He smiled lazily. Invincible. Oliver clasped his hands again. But then...we found out that Lilian was sick. She had a heart disease...and we caught it at a stage where she needed a transplant...We got her on the donor list...But those lists are years long...and Lilian didn't make it. As obvious as it was that he was getting emotional, Oliver was trying to hide it from Summer. I'm a heart specialist...and I couldn't save my own wife. He shook his head looking a bit frustrated. I became a recluse for the most part...after I lost her. I couldn't stand to be in London anymore, I couldn't stand to be around anything or anyone that reminded me of her. So I moved here and shut myself up in my little apartment...I'd still be in there if it wasn't for Brooklyn. Oliver looked at Summer.

I'm still in love with my wife...But seeing you the other day....lying unconscious in that bed...It made me realize how much I care about you too. Oliver took Summer's hand gently, once more. It's all a bit...wibbley in my head...I was determined not to care for anyone romantically again after Lilian...And here I am, caring for you...physically and romantically. Oliver stroked her hand with his thumb again. So what I want to know from you, Summer...is if you're willing to take this slow with me? I don't know exactly where it will lead....And for all I know, I could just break down one day and say I can't do this...Which I understand is neither desirable or comforting....But I want to try...with you...But please....understand, there's no pressure...You can even take some time and think about it, if you like. Oliver said. What he was trying to convey, was that, even though he cared for her, Lilian was always going to be with him, though of course not in the same capacity as she once filled. And that with Summer's help, he might be able to make it over this hump and move on with his life and together, they could build something wonderful. [/ul][/size]

[SUMMER LILA BANES]

She laughed at his teasing words, shaking her head. "Well, at least you think I'm pretty." She said to him with a wink before she started to eat her yogurt. They spoke while she ate and they laughed a few times, but she started to wonder if something was on his mind. He seemed to be waiting for something, and when she finished her breakfast, she realized he was waiting for her. He cleared everything and waited for him to sit down next to her again, and when he did, his seemed worried. Her first thought was that something was wrong with Dom, or maybe Everleigh, but she soon found out that it wasn't the case at all.

She sat quietly and listened, his words sometimes bringing her to laugh quietly, and sometimes she had to hold back a tear. The words he spoke reflected her own feelings, and she couldn't tell if his story was relieving to hear or devastating. She'd been worried about him lately, ever since he'd mentioned his previous marriage, and now that he was speaking about it more, she was finally understanding.

They really weren't all that different, now that she thought about it. They were both afraid to love, both had a hard past to deal with, a hard thing that they needed to move past, and they wanted to do it, but they needed help. She smiled to him softly as he spoke, glad that he was asking her this now. If he'd waited any longer, she'd have probably brought it up herself. She reached out with her right hand and placed it on top of his own which was closest to her. "I don't need any more time to think about it, Oliver... Yes, I am willing to take it slow. I want to try to make this happen. I really do like you, and so as long as you're okay, I'll be there right beside you and we'll do it together." She said to him with a small smile growing on her lips. Maybe she should tell him... Maybe she shouldn't. It would just make things more complicated if she did, so she decided to keep her secret to herself. She'd tell him when she had to, but not any sooner.