Page 98 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

"Finding a replacement for you."He shook his head again."No one could ever replace you, honey.You're irreplaceable."

"Aww," she teased."There you go, sweet talking again."

He tightened his grip on her hips."Just telling you the truth.I'll be okay with someone else managing the reception for me.But you're the one — the only one — I want in my life.Until I met you, I didn't think I wanted anyone.And if you decide I'm not what you want, I won't be replacing you.I guarantee you that."

His heart pounded in his chest as she rested her forehead against his and looked down into his eyes.

"You are what I want, Trip, I ...”

His throat went dry, and his heart pounded even harder.For a moment, he thought she was about to sayI love you.

She didn’t; instead, she said, "You're irreplaceable to me too."

~ ~ ~

After they’d eaten, Shelley leaned back in her chair, smiling as she watched Trip pick at the few remaining crackers.

“Did you get enough to eat?I can make –”

He shook his head with a guilty smile.“I’m good, I’m just picking at them because they’re there.That was the perfect dinner, thank you.I appreciate it,” he said as he got to his feet and started to gather the dishes.

“It wasn’t exactly a big deal,” she said as she stood to join him.

“It was to me, honey.”

The way he met her gaze and held it said more than words could have conveyed.She nodded, understanding damn well that even though he might not want to say it out loud, he appreciated that she took care of him when she could.

She let out a short laugh when a thought struck her.

“What?What did I do now?”

“Nothing, I'm not laughing at you.It just struck me funny that we seem to have turned each other into the opposite of what we used to be."

"Huh?"He gave her a puzzled look."What do you mean?"

"I mean that I really enjoy doing whatever little things I can to take care of you.Whereas before..."She met his gaze."Part of the reason Jeff and I didn't work out in the long term is that I grew to resent the way he expected me to take care of him."

She shrugged."And it seems to me that you're the same.Some of the things you've said about Katrina...some of the ways she used to make you feel uncomfortable...I feel as though sometimes I do similar things to what she used to."

She broke off when she saw the look on his face, suddenly wondering if she should have kept her mouth shut.She knew what she meant, but she didn’t think she was explaining it very well.

She relaxed when he smiled.

"Don't look so worried.You're right.You're absolutely right.I guess the difference is...I don't mind doing anything for you — because Iwantto.And at the same time, I know that you neither expect nor need me to."

She nodded."Yeah, that's it.I'm the same way."

They exchanged a smile, and her pulse quickened when he said,

"I guess it’s not the roles that we had a problem with so much as...the people.I’ve seen it with each of the guys as they met their women.I’ve almost called them hypocrites a couple of times.Things they used to bitch about — they do happily now.I guess it just takes finding the right person."

Shelley inhaled sharply."I guess it does."

It didn’t take long to clean up after dinner, and when they were done, Trip extended his hand.

"What do you say – do you want to go for a walk?"

"I’d love to."