She whirled around, stumbling into the mantel over the fireplace and going pale. “I-Isaac?” Her voice was barely audible, and one hand pressed to her breast. “You can’t be … real … I am dreaming again.” She took a step toward him, and another, until a tremble began in her body and she couldn’t move any further.
“Please be real.”
“I’m real — as real as the flames in the fireplace and the beating of your heart. Please don’t turn me away, Summer…I’m a mess without you and I need you…” He choked up and cleared his throat, eyes locking with hers. Seeing her approach, he reached out his hand, allowing her control of the moment when he wanted nothing more than to gather her up in his arms and never let her go.
Wobbling, she took another step forward, hand reaching out to his. She was visibly shaking, now, and pulled her fingers back briefly before letting them settle in his palm.
And then she was laughing and crying, smiling so hard she thought her face might crack and hurling herself into his arms. “Oh, Isaac, Isaac!”