"Like my entire life was just an illusion." He paused and then seemed to stare right into her eyes. "I thought I was in control of it, but I'm not. I'm just a…passenger. I have no control over anything.""Baby…" she began, alarmed by his words. "You are the most capable man that I've ever met. There is not a day that goes by that I'm not in constant awe of you. You are a blind man that has accomplished more than most sighted people. You are funny, sexy, talented, and smart--but most of all you are confidant." Tory watched the intense expression on his face and hoped that he was listening and believing that she meant every word.His expression was uncertain. "Is that what you really see Tory?""Yes!"He paused and then leaned forward and kissed her forehead—she wasn't sure if he was going for her mouth but either was okay. "Thank you. I needed that," he whispered."Don't doubt yourself. Don't doubt what I feel for you." She opened and then closed her mouth. Suddenly she knew she

Tory closed her eyes, relishing his gentle touch. Now blind, she experienced each sensation with a renewed intensity. She felt his fingers glide between her breasts and down her abdomen. Slowly he moved past her belly button, trailing down to her jeans. Tory knew that she was breathing hard and fast. She stood there unmoving and felt Lee unbutton her pants and drag the zipper down slowly. He stepped closer to her, his body pressed against hers lightly. She felt his hands in her panties, pushing them and her pants down in one fluid motion and she couldn't help the sharp intake of breath.He bent and had her step out of them and now all she was wearing was the bra. He reached around and unhooked it, letting it drop to the floor. His hands moved up the sides of her body, seeming to rediscover each curve. He left no part of her torso untouched and when he discovered the bandage, beneath which the tube had pierced her lung, his brow drew together and he placed a tentative kiss there before

"Rosalind, watch your mouth.""I don't mean any disrespect. These are just the words of a broken hearted woman." She stood. "Excuse me. I'm going to take cerveja to the men." Tory counted to ten…and then to twenty before she felt it was safe to stop gripping her chair handle so that she wouldn't jump down Roz's throat! "Who invited her?" Macey muttered after a few quiet moments. Everyone chuckled. At dinner Lee was having a tough time feeding himself because it was too difficult to cut the beef with the cast. Tory took great pleasure in feeding him and shushing him when he complained that he could do it. She delivered a kiss to his cheek to quiet his protests and then the men laughed and complimented him on figuring out how to be served so efficiently. Tory joined in the good-natured razing and despite the careful glares by Rosalind, Tory felt like everything between her and the Torres family had returned to normal. During dessert, Rosalind commented that she would be willing to

Lee chuckled. "You are really out of it today. Are you feeling okay?""Yeah, I'm just…I quit my job this morning.""Did they hassle you?""No, it actually went pretty smooth.""Good. I wouldn't want to have to pay them a visit. I can do a lot of damage with my cane." Tory smiled and then reached for his hand and held it. "So, do you want to go ring shopping?"She forced herself to put her past behind her where maybe she could bury it again. She smiled at her man. "Hell yeah! Let's go ring shopping!" They found their rings that very day and were told that they would be ready for pick up in about a week. They scheduled their final doctor's appointment for the same day and then after the check up and the ring pick up, the plan was to visit the restaurant and show them off to the family. Lee had already called everyone to a gathering and Tory suspected that he was going to propose again but this time present her with the engagement ring. She was becoming spoiled at his attention bec

The most difficult thing about being in love with a blind man is remembering that his being blind is the least of it all. Being in love with a man that had his own individual thoughts, feelings and reactions was just as much of a consideration. Tory rolled onto her side in her lonely bed and tried to sleep. She tossed and turned before falling into a restless sleep well after midnight. The ringing of the telephone woke her up and she checked the time, 9 am. She reached for her cell phone and saw that it was Lee. Her heartbeat spiked but right before she was going to answer she put the phone back onto her bedside table. Yeah, I'm chickening out. But it was more than that, she was actually a little angry. His rejection last night had been devastating. She wasn't ready for an angry confrontation—not until she at least had gone to the bathroom.She used the bathroom, brushed her teeth and then lifted up her nightshirt and stared at her stomach. Today she would make an appointment for