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First, a note. The house in these pictures has changed, as you'll notice about three pictures from the end. I'd taken all these shots that worked so well to tell the story, then decided I hated the look of the house for Maria and changed it all. Since my pics are natural, not staged (plus, I'm endlessly lazy), I decided against retaking all the pics. You'll notice even more changes in upcoming chapters, too, because I decided I wanted a bigger lot a few weeks ago. Oh well. :) I hope you enjoy, regardless of these things.
Maria stared at the television screen, mindlessly. She had no idea what show she'd been watching for the last hour or so. It was almost time. Soon, Red would come into her new home, and tell her he was finished. Then he would be gone.
As if on cue, he appeared.
"Well," he said. "I've got some good news and some bad news. Good news is, almost done. Bad news? Gotta leaky toilet upstairs. Gonna be another day or two yet before you're rid of me for good."
"Oh," said Maria. "Okay."
Stupid, stupid, stupid, she thought later, as she busied herself with dinner. What is wrong with me? Most people would be thrilled to have a handyman out of the way.
It wasn't until much later that she realized.
She was in love with Red.
The next day, It was hard to contain herself. Maria didn't know what to do. She'd never even been on a date before, the tragedies of her life coming when they did. More than that, how could she trust herself, ever again? She'd fallen for Bella's lies, done unspeakable things in the name of "research," and was now just beginning to get herself back.
But, when Red asked what was wrong, she couldn't stop herself. The words, the emotions, flowed out in a torrent. She proclaimed all: Her love, her loss, her hesitation, her confusion. She spoke until there were no words left for her to say, then she waited for the moment of stunned silence, and the inevitable rejection.
Imagine her surprise when Red grabbed her in his arms.
"I love you, Maria DiPotere," he said. "I want you to know that."
"Oh, Red," said Maria. "I love you, too. Stay here with me forever, will you?"
"I sure will," said Red with a smile.
That night, for the first time in a long, long time, Maria went to sleep feeling safe and secure.
