The Long Road Home (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Sarah nodded at his words, but she soon planted her hands on her hips and looked at the man that professed his love for her. "You're having dinner with me, Ian. That's that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"... Okay."

Ian said nothing more, following her to the small table that'd been set up for them. He felt a little out of place what with Sarah having dressed up. He wished he had dressed up for her, but he owned no such clothing.

He pulled out her chair for her, ever the gentleman, and only once she'd taken her seat did he do the same.

 

[heartofcourage]

Sarah was quiet for a long moment, staring at the food that had been delivered before she let out a sigh and finally made herself look at Ian. "I'm sorry for earlier."

She knew that she had to tell him everything but she was afraid that the pain would be too much. "I know it's not fair, but whenever you said that you love and want me, I'm afraid that you'll turn out just like Brogan."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ian lifted his gaze finally to meet hers, and his answer was quiet but resolute. "You know I've never seen anyone but you... I might've thought Cassie was pretty, maybe a few other girls were attractive... but they never came close t'you." She could see he wanted to reach out and take her hand to reassure her, but he wasn't so sure that it was a good idea.

 

[heartofcourage]

Sarah inched her hand close to his own, gently touching his fingers as he swore that she was the only girl in his world. "I still think you've lost your mind for wanting to be with me. But...I guess it's worth taking a chance."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ian's gaze became confused, unable to believe what he was hearing. "... Don' toy with me, Sarah..." She could see in his eyes that he was trying not to get his hopes up that she was being serious. "I'm no' good enough fer you anyway, you know tha'... Y'deserve a nobleman."

 

[heartofcourage]

"What noble man is ever going to take me, Ian?" Sarah asked him honestly as she gave his fingers a squeeze. "And I'm not toying with you. If you feel so strongly about all of this, then I think we should give it a chance."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ian held her gaze as if paralyzed for a moment, then he rose and came around the table, drawing her to her feet to embrace her tightly. "Thank you, Sarah..." He wanted to say more, but felt words had no place here. He loosened his embrace to look down at her, and his eyes alone told her how deeply he cared and how glad he was for this chance.

 

[heartofcourage]

"And if you break my heart, Shia will break you." Sarah said softly, letting him know what she expected in this relationship.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You know I'd never want to hurt you..." Ian laid his head against her own.

The evening ended up quiet and peaceful. Ian held Sarah's hand, but didn't try much else. He let her take the lead. She was the one who was still healing and she was the one taking a leap of faith for him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Sitting on the stone bench in her mother's garden, Sarah felt like she was starting to finally relax. Ian was so nonthreatening, so kind...so over the moon for her. She clenched his hand tightly in her own, leaning across the space of the bench and kissing him gently.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ian was instantly rendered relaxed and at home when she kissed him, and he returned her kiss with a gentle sigh. Being an incredible kisser, he could put great intensity into his kiss, but also deep warmth and welcome as he did right then. His thumb stroked over her knuckles and his opposite hand reached out to gently draw her in closer against his side. She had him entranced, just as she always had.

 

[heartofcourage]

Pressed against his side, Sarah felt like she was home. That was the strangest thing, she thought to herself. She pulled back from the kiss and pressed her forehead against his, looking deeply into his eyes.

"I think...I think I love you, Ian. I always have." She admitted, her voice a soft whisper.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ian's fingers brushed back through her hair, and he gave her a smile and let his hand fall to her cheek. "I love you too, Sarah..." he spoke just above a whisper. Letting his arm wrap around her waist, he closed his eyes and let his head rest on her shoulder. This was all he'd ever dreamed of, and he'd never dared to hope for anything more.

 

[heartofcourage]

Sarah leaned her head against Ian's, letting out a little sigh as she held him tightly. It was strange to place so much trust in a single person, but she knew deep in her heart that she could trust him.

 

[KieranSoares]

The days following the making of the foundation of their relationship, Sarah found Ian to be steadfast and at her beckon call, but now with him clearly being her companion, she could see how people looked at him. Whenever they left the Keep, many people looked at her with distrust but were civil. But Ian was treated worse, like a murderer compared to just a thief. The people felt betrayed that he was and always had been supporting her despite her sins. Sarah was trying to at least ease the pain she'd caused, but Ian was unrepentant for his loyalty to her. It wasn't a problem that he loved her, it was that he'd never questioned or tried to help stop her even when she was at her worst. In the people's eyes, he was dangerous to Ireland for his unquestioning loyalty to Sarah. He was a strong man and a fair leader. If Sarah acted up again, he'd add to her danger, they thought.

 

[heartofcourage]

Sarah found her time with Ian to be peaceful. It was just what her soul needed to start to heal. She could ignore the people in town and wouldn't give her the time of day as long as he was at her side. She secretly grinned, the warm fuzzy feeling filling her very soul.

Settled on a lovely green hillside looking over a valley, Sarah lay with her head propped against Ian's lap. She was reading a book that she had bought the day before, enjoying the sunny afternoon that was so peaceful.

"I think I would like to do something for the villagers to celebrate my father's birthday." She said suddenly, her moods changing just as they always had.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Like what?" Ian asked softly, watching the green horizon set ablaze by the setting sun. He felt perfectly at peace with no distrustful eyes watching him finally. It hurt Ian to be ridiculed and even hated by people who'd once loved him as a dear friend, but he could manage if he had Sarah.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Perhaps we could pass out bread to the hungry and then organize a festival in his honor. Something small." Sarah said, closing her book to look into his eyes.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Tha' sounds like a plan," he smiled, leaning back on one arm. He reached up to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear with an affectionate touch. "We'll want t' talk to all the bakers in town, then, if we want to get t'gether enough."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I want you to take all the credit for it, Ian." Sarah said softly as he tucked a strand of hair behind her eat. "I can't stand the pain that I see in your eyes when you think about the people that dislike you now. I can handle the stares myself. You...well, I want them to like you."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ian shook his head, though he smiled softly, touched at how she tried to help him. "No, love. I'm no' taking credit for somethin' that wasn't my idea." He let his hand rest on her cheek a moment before he laid back in the grass. "It's okay if they don' like me... I've got you, an' that's all I really need."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know you're lying." Sarah said simply, looking up at the man that was slowly making his way into her heart. "It bothers you greatly. Let me help you, Ian."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Just don' lie for me, Sarah. You're in th' same position I am. I'll earn my respect back, jus' like you are." He shifted and moved to her side now, laying on his back and taking her hand in his own gentle, calloused fingers. "I'll be glad t'help ya, though." He offered her a light smile. He was always so welcoming.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You are the most stubborn man I've ever known." Sarah said, the corner of her lips tipping upward in the tiniest of smiles.

It took a lot from her to smile. She wanted to show him her joy, but there was something that kept her from doing so.