CH 33: Easy decision

"When Jake left, he made me feel like I was about to drown alone, like I was just a toy to him, that there was only one thing on his list to do, while I felt it all so fast." she began, her voice trembling. "But then you came along, and you showed me what it's like to truly feel alive again, to feel like I'm worth fighting for, that I am not a toy but a person, and I feel so much with you I have not felt before or in a long time." She paused, looking down at her hands, twisted in her lap. "But it's different with you, Mike. With you, I feel safe. I feel like I'm home." Mike's arms tightened around her, pulling her closer. "You are home, Renee," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "And I'll always be here for you, no matter what or who you choose." Renee's smile grew, a genuine one that reached her eyes. "I choose you, Mike," she said with conviction, leaning closer until their foreheads touched. The words hung in the air, a declaration that seemed to resonate through the very walls of the farmhouse. She felt a surge of relief wash over her, as if a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Mike's eyes searched hers, looking for any hint of doubt. But all he saw was a fiery determination that mirrored his own feelings. He leaned in and kissed her, a gentle press of his lips to hers that seemed to promise everything she needed to hear. His arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly as if afraid she might vanish if he let go. The kiss grew deeper, filled with all the love and passion that had been building between them over the past weeks, even months.
When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless. Renee rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. He stroked her hair, whispering sweet nothings that seemed to melt the last of her fears away. They switched to another movie, something light-hearted and funny to ease the tension in the room. But as the minutes ticked by, their eyes grew heavier and their laughter grew softer until they drifted off to sleep, their bodies tangled together on the couch.
The couch was not the most comfortable place to spend the night, but neither of them complained. The warmth of Mike's embrace made the fabric feel like the softest of beds, and the steady rise and fall of his chest was a lullaby that soothed Renee into a deep slumber. She didn't dream of Jake or the farm or the choices that lay ahead. For the first time in weeks, her mind was blissfully quiet.
Hours passed, the night giving way to the early morning light that seeped through the curtains. Renee stirred, her eyes fluttering open to the sight of the empty space beside her. Panic gripped her chest, the sudden absence like a cold hand. She sat up with a start, the room spinning slightly. Where was Mike? Had he left? Her heart raced as she scanned the room, the quiet only broken by the soft ticking of the grandfather clock in the hall. She didn't know what had woken her, but the silence was deafening. The pillow beside her still held the faint scent of his cologne, and she could feel the warmth of where his body had lain. He had to be nearby, she told herself. She didn't scare him away. Did she?
Her eyes landed on the note on the coffee table, the edges slightly crumpled where she must have knocked it in her haste to get to the phone. She reached for it, her hand trembling. In Mike's unmistakable scrawl, it read: "Went to check on the animals. Didn't want to wake you. Love you, M."

The words hit her like a ton of bricks. She had heard "I love you" before, countless times from Leo, but this felt different. It was raw, unfiltered, and untainted by the messiness of the past. It was the kind of love that grew from the earth, strong and true, just like the roots that had started to entwine themselves around her heart. Renee's legs felt like jelly as she pushed herself off the couch, the floor cold and unforgiving under her bare feet. She padded into the kitchen, the need for caffeine a desperate craving that only seemed to amplify her racing thoughts. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the fridge, the only light in the otherwise darkened house. With trembling hands, she poured herself a cup of the steaming brew, the aroma wrapping around her like a warm hug. She took a sip, the heat spreading through her, a comforting reminder that she was alive, that she was home. As the caffeine started to work its magic, she felt a glimmer of resolve. She had made her decision, and she needed to find Mike. Still dressed in the oversized shirt and no pants, Renee stepped out into the cool morning air. The dew kissed her bare legs, the sensation bringing her back to reality with a soft chill. The farm was quiet, the animals just starting to stir with the promise of a new day. She walked across the dew-covered grass, the chill seeping into her bare feet. The quiet was broken only by the distant sound of a rooster's crow. As she approached the first barn, she heard Mike's voice, a comforting sound that seemed to echo through the stillness. "Renee?" he called out, the concern in his tone making her heart race. She quickened her pace, not wanting to keep him waiting. When she reached the barn, she saw him standing in the doorway, by the early light. "Did you proofread this?" she asked, holding up the note, a playful smile on her lips. He stepped out, his eyes scanning her face before dropping to the paper in her hand. A look of confusion flickered across his features before realization dawned. "Ah, the note," he said, chuckling. "I figured you'd get the gist of it."

Mike approached her, his strides long and easy, his presence a comforting warmth that seemed to chase the shadows away. "Yeah, I meant it," he said, his voice dropping to a murmur. "I know it's fast, but I can't help it." He took the cup from her hand, setting it aside, and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I love you, Renee." Renee felt a warmth spread through her, a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time. It was like the first sip of hot chocolate on a cold winter day, sweet and comforting. She leaned into him, her head resting on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. "Good morning to you too," she whispered, her voice muffled by his shirt. She didn't know what to say, didn't know how to express the maelstrom of emotions swirling inside her. But she knew that she felt something deep for him, something that scared her to admit but also made her feel alive. They stood there for a moment, just holding each other, the world outside the barn door forgotten. The animals stirred around them, the rustle of straw and the soft snuffling of the horses a gentle reminder of the life they shared. Renee felt her breathing even out, the tightness in her chest loosening. "I love you too, even if it is too soon," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't think it was soon enough."