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.I'll get it."She couldn't believe he had packed for her.He must be really worried.She put a hand to her temple, feeling dizzy and confused.She couldn't go away now.There was too much going on in her head.She'd spent the morning with Elena, trying to figure out what to do now that Edward Wingate was dead.She had hoped he might be able to build a bridge between them all.Now that wasn't possible.She would have to do it herself.She started as Vincent returned from the kitchen with the cooler."I just need to put the toothbrushes in a bag, and we can go," he said.She put up her hand."Wait.You're moving too fast.""I want to beat the traffic.""I can't go.""Why not?" His words came out like bullets, hard, fast, angry.He was close to the edge.She knew she had pushed him there.But dammit, she was right there, too.If they clung to each other, they could both survive.If they stayed apart they might both fall.He needed to understand that."You know why not." She caught his gaze and held it, willing him to understand, to see reason."I want to see her.""No.And I say this for your own good.""My own good or your own good?""They are one and the same, as we are one and the same." He took her hands in his."Sophia, tomorrow it will be forty years since we made our vows.This is our time to be together, to remember what we promised.""How can I go with you and have fun when I'll be thinking of her the whole time?""She'll no doubt be here when you get back," Vincent said, his voice filled with hopelessness."Perhaps by then you'll realize what's at stake.""I know what's at stake.I can't think of anything else.""Then come with me, Sophia.Please."It was the please that got to the heart of her, that made her feel guilty.She almost gave in.She almost said yes.The word hovered on her lips.She had been raised to be a good wife.It was the only role she knew, and it was far too late to look for another role to play.Her husband, her companion for life, was the most important person in the world to her.How could she take the risk of losing him now? She didn't know how to be alone."I'll get our toothbrushes," he said again, taking her silence for acquiescence.When his foot reached the bottom stair, she spoke."I can't go."His back stiffened.Slowly he turned."I won't take no for an answer."His stern gaze pierced her heart, but she held fast."I'm afraid you'll have to.Have you forgotten that Elena and Charles are taking us to dinner tomorrow night?""Elena will understand.""I don't want her to understand.We've planned it for weeks.They've made reservations.It's set.""Sophia, this is more important than your sister.""Running away will not solve the problem.As you said, Joanna will still be here when we get back -- unless you're planning to move?""Don't be silly.""I can't go on like this, Vincent.""You have to be strong, Sophia.You must do this for me -- for all of us.The family looks to us for guidance, for inspiration.We are the role models for all the children."His words twisted the knife in her heart.Role models.God help the children."We're human, Vincent.Perhaps the children need to learn that from us, more than they need to learn anything else."But Vincent couldn't show his children vulnerability, and this situation made him vulnerable.She knew that.She understood it.He was a man.She was a woman.She could bend and hopefully recover; but Vincent couldn't bend, he could only break.The doorbell rang and she moved to answer it.Linda stood on the doorstep, looking nervous and uncertain."Linda, is everything all right?""Yes." Linda glanced at the suitcase on the floor."Are you going somewhere?""No," Sophia said."Yes," Vincent said.Linda looked confused."Oh, then I guess it doesn't matter.""What doesn't matter?" she asked."I was going to ask if you could baby-sit for us tomorrow afternoon, Sophia.Frank and I were invited to lunch at that new restaurant downtown, Scarpino's, and Frank wants to check it out.We never go out together without the children.It's so expensive to pay for someone to watch four kids, then pay for a meal on top of that.""No," Vincent said."Yes," she said, contradicting him once again."I'd be happy to.You and Frank deserve an afternoon out.""Sophia, we're going away," Vincent interjected."If you want to go away, go.I'm baby-sitting.""It's our anniversary.I'm not going without you." He shot Linda a dark look."I'm sorry," Linda said."I'll find someone else." She backed toward the door.Sophia reached for Linda's hand with a reassuring smile."You won't find someone else.It's all settled.What time do you want me?""Eleven-thirty.I know Elena is taking you out for dinner.We'll be back in plenty of time for you to get ready.""I'm not worried.I think it's wonderful you and Frank are going out together."Linda looked over at Vincent, who was still scowling."I'll see you tomorrow then."Vincent slammed the door behind her."Why did you do that? You probably scared her half to death," she scolded."She deserves it for giving you an excuse to stay home.""I didn't need an excuse, Vincent, and you know it."He threw up his hands."You drive me crazy.I'm going to the restaurant, and I won't be back until late.Don't wait up for me.In fact, I may not be back at all."She sent him a steady look, even though her heart raced at the implication of his words."Is that a threat?""Yes." His dark eyes turned hard
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