"You'd let me do that?" Brad asked her softly, lifting his head to look at her. "You trust me enough, to do that?" He still had a guilty, and worried look painted across his face. He felt awful for everything. He was never given the chance to protect her, and when the offer was put in place, Caroline tended to take it from him.
She finally looked at him your my boyfriend and I'm your girlfriend we should protect each other" she said
"Yeah, but I didn't know if you still wanted to be that." Brad mumbled, sighing weakly. "I was just… never mind." He cut himself off, scooting up closer to her so he could hold her.
"I love you so much more than anything" she said
"I know you do… but I was worried you were upset that I couldn't offer you more." Brad whispered, slipping his arm over her shoulders to hold her close. "I haven't been able to protect you… you've only ever done it to me. Whenever I'm given the chance, someone else takes it from me. I can't protect you from anything, it feels like."
' i know I'm sorry' she said
"Don't be… I'm just being stupid." Brad mumbled as he shrugged a bit. He was being brutally honest right now, which hadn't been something he usually did. He was breaking down his walls, trying to let her in. But it was so difficult.
She kissed his cheek rubbing his arm
"I love you a lot… and hope you do too." Brad whispered, pulling her closer. "I just want to protect you. So badly."
"I do love you and I know you want to protect me but I couldn't continue with my life if yours was gone" she said " I can't I won't lose you " she said
"What about you?" He asked softly, resting his chin on top of her head. "I literally didn't continue my life when you were dead. Everything fell for weeks. I… I almost tried to kill myself, Caroline." He whispered, holding on to her tighter. "I couldn't do it again."
"I need you Brad because I won't try to kill myself I will" she said
Brad fell quiet, giving up on trying to argue his point. She wasn't listening anyways. Instead, he buried his face into her shoulder with a weak sigh. "I can't lose you again. Please. Don't put me in that position again."
She nodded " ok baby ok" she said
"I couldn't do it… not again." Brad whispered, tightening his hold on her. "I can't go back. I couldn't…" Tears were stinging at his eyes, as he held on to her tightly. He was so broken, it could be heard in his tone if you couldn't see his face.
"I'm here ok I'm going to get a degree with nursing and your going to do whatever you want whatever your heart desires" she said
"Be here… with you." Brad mumbled, trying to relax a bit. It wasn't really working, as his firm grip tightened just a little bit. "I don't want, or need anything. You're enough."
"Then one day in the future we will be married, husband and wife until death due us part" she said
"That's the part I'm scared about… death do us part. I don't want to lose you ever… but at least, not for a long time." Brad whispered, relaxing just a little bit. "If we can live together for a long time, then I'll be happy."
"and if that's what will make you happy I will stop at nothing to make sure it's a reality" she said
"That's the thing. You don't have to do anything but stay." Brad mumbled, kissing the top of her head. "That's all you have to do. You already do enough for me. I don't need you to do any more."
"then I'll stay " she said nuzzling her nose into his side
He forced a smile up on to his lips, as he fully relaxed into the bed. Those simple words relaxed him immensely. It was strange how much it relaxed him. His face relaxed, causing his smile to be more genuine. Though it was easier to see the tiredness displayed over his whole face.
"go to sleep my love " she said laying her head on his chest
Brad lifted his head up, glancing down to her. "Huh?" He asked softly, starting to pet the top of her head. "Oh- unless you're tired, I'll be fine. You don't have to worry about me. I'm alright."