Once back at the apartment Caroline headed towards the bathroom while Tim checked the windows to be sure they had been shut after having them open all day, then locked the door.  He then headed towards the bedroom where he changed into a pair of lounge pants and tee shirt. He had always been a bit self conscious on how he looked without a shirt even when he went swimming. He really didn't need to be. He was tall, slightly tanned and slender with a bit of chest hair and just enough tone in his arms and chest. Not muscular by any means, that just wasn't something he was into. But he always felt embarrassed by how he looked. He laid down on the bed waiting for Caroline to come out of the bathroom. He was a bit tired but was also anxious to finally be spending their first night together in their new home. 

After a few more minuted he began to wonder what was taking Caroline so long. He got up and approached the bathroom door. Knocking softly he said " Caroline, are you alright? You've been in there quite awhile". He stood there for a moment, she didn't respond, he thought he could hear her crying. He opened the door. There she sat on the edge of the bathtub with tears streaming down her face.

"Darlin, what's wrong, are you ok?" he asked as he knelt down in front of her.

She looked into his eyes, she was afraid to tell him.

"What is it, you can tell me anything, you know that" he assured her.

"I...I.." she stammered. " I'm afraid" she finally told him.

"Of me?" he questioned softly with a bit of fear in his eyes.

"Not of you, Timothy, but of...." he stopped.

"Of what, darlin you're scaring me" Tim said with his voice cracking a bit.

"Of our first time together" she finally told him.

Tim pulled her into his arms as she sobbed, rocking her, soothing her with his deep voice. "I'm just as scared Caroline" he confessed. "I've never done anything before, you know that. I have no idea what will happen. All I do know is that I love you with all my heart and when the time comes, we will just follow our feelings, it will come naturally. We don't have to make tonight the first time, we can take our time, take it slow. We are just starting out life together, their is no rush, my love" he assured her as he held her tightly, kissing the top of her head.

Caroline raised her head and looked into his dark, loving eyes. "I love you so much Timothy. Thank you" she told him as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.

He stood up, bringing her to her feet. "Let's get some rest now" he said as she followed him into the bedroom. He opened the covers for her on her side of the bed and covered her up then crawled in along side her. Cradling her in his arms he hummed softly till he could feel her relax and her breathing slowed down. He whispered softly "I Love you Caroline, I will never hurt you" as he too drifted off to sleep.

The alarm clock ringing in his ear startled him awake. He bolted up in bed, looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings. Then realized where he was, saddened he said  aloud to himself  " it was all just a beautiful dream, only a sweet memory". He got out of bed and head to the shower to get ready to send off his Mother and Emily on their journey.