> She returned his kiss and then grinned at his question. Ingrid had
> whispered the place to her while they hugged, probably knowing Derek
hadn't
> really picked up on it with the other things he had to deal with.
>
> "Collins Side." she repeated the name of the family restaurant that was
> located near the zoo.
>
> The ferry honked in warning at final approach to the dock and she smiled
and
> reluctantly straightened, the vehicle being the first one to get off when
> the tub came to a full stop. She had also decided to dig up that album
and
> looking through it with him when they got the chance.
>
> Talking to him about what had worried her helped, even liberated it. She
> wasn't worried anymore now that it was out in the open and Derek had
> answered it.
>
> Derek always meant what he said and there was no mistaking what was in his
> eyes or his actions.
>
> She felt.... well, she thought with a quick flashing grin as she put the
> vehicle in gear and followed the ferry's guide direction and getting off,
> visualizing all those poor misguided feminists that thought a woman
couldn't
> feel this way and still be strong, secure and even treasured.
>
> She hoped Derek knew that was how she felt about him - that there was no
> changing how she felt and that she held him closest to her heart.
>
> As for the other worries, he wasn't ready to talk about them. But now,
> especially after now, she knew that they would talk over them, be open
with
> each other, if it needed to really be discussed. It could also be
possible
> that they were addressed with their talk or just needed the love she
planned
> on giving him to be weeded out.
>
> It wasn't long until they reached Rachel's and Julia pulled up into the
> driveway and cut the engine.
>
> Julia looked at the house and remembered her promise to Kat about bringing
> Rachel home. Then she opened the door and slipped out, reaching back in
to
> get the folders and paperwork she had brought with her and giving Derek a
> warm, assured smile before straightening and closing the door.
>
> "Here you go," she teased him as she handed the keys back to him "All safe
> and sound and in one piece. And I hope they have coffee on."
>
Derek:
Derek took the keys and smiled wearily glancing at the folders she held.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we do that already?" He started
towards the house, "It's before 10:00am, I'm Nick stilll has coffee."
Derek
