Astrid closed her eyes as she pressed her cheek into his hand, a smile playing on her lips. She closed her eyes in contentment but also to hide the glimmering sheen of tears she could feel there.<br/><br/>Emotions surged threw her, powerful and conflicting. She tried to push them away and focus on the happiness she felt, but it felt as if the wall she'd always kept so close around her was crumbling and falling around her.<br/><br/>She felt raw and exposed. Fear made her want to pull away from him and run, so she could cry all the tears she'd denied herself for ten years. His gentle touch, the way he handled her like she was delicate soothed her and calmed her down so she didn't feel like she was either going to start balling or have a panic attack.<br/><br/>She took a deep breath and opened her eyes forcing her mind from the emotional war raging in her as old hurts, fear, and love fought for dominance.<br/><br/>As she looked at him she couldn't help but wonder if loving him would heal her or distroy her. Slowly and softly she smiled at him with love reflecting in her eyes as she turned her head slightly to kiss his fingertips as she cuddled closer to him soothed by being held in his arms safe from everything, even herself.