“Now, how about I give you another hug?” she opened her arms. 
I moved closer towards her, accepting the offer. Slowly, her arms folded around me. She covered me with all her love and warmth. I am at awe on how secured I feel within her embrace. 
She is my fortress. 
After a while, we pulled away from each other. “Do you feel any better?” she asked, smiling. 
I nodded as I sniffled. “Your comfort has helped me a lot today,” I said. 
“I thought you were uncomfortable because you rarely reciprocated my embrace,” she said. 
I scratched my nape as I replied, “I didn’t want to put any malice between the two of us. I don’t know how you’ll react if I returned your hug.” 
“You’re no different from me, Robert. If I offered you a smile or a hug, you can always give it back,” she answered. “You already held me in your arms multiple times. What’s the difference now?” 
My eyes widened at her response. She looked at me as if she was waiting for me to do something. With caution, I gently put my arms around her. As I tightened embrace, her arms wrapped around my torso. 
And everything just stopped. 
Somehow, it felt like it was only the two of us in this world. I closed my eyes as I smiled, cherishing this moment. 
“How do you feel now?” she asked, rubbing my lower back. 
I hugged her even tighter. “I never want to leave your arms again,” I said. I never want this feeling to end. Comforting. Gentle. Secured. 
I felt a small smile crept up her face as she buried herself into my chest. She rubbed my back a few more times before we stopped hugging. “I hope my embrace has given you a place of solace during this trying time of yours.” 
I held her hand and looked deeply into her eyes. “You did something even more, Laura. Your arms felt like another home for me,” I said. “You made me feel safe. You’ve become my fortress.” 
She blushed as she looked at our intertwined hands. “You do the same for me, Robert,” she said as she played with her fingers. “Who am I not to do that same for you?”
I lifted her face. “Thank you,” I caressed her cheek. 
She smiled, removing my hand from her face. “Would you like to have a picnic this afternoon?” 
“A picnic?” 
She nodded. “Perhaps it could help you feel a lot better.” 
“Won’t Grandpa Ben be furious if he found out you’re skipping work again just to comfort me?” he asked. 
She chuckled. “Robert, we’ve done that countless times. And he’s never said anything against it.” 
“And why would I be angry about that?” Grandpa Ben suddenly spoke from the door. 
“Good morning, Grandpa Ben,” I said as we stood to greet him. 
“Good morning to you as well, Robert,” he approached us with a smile. “I saw Laura gave you a hug. So, I thought I’d join in and listen to your conversation. You seem to be talking about a serious matter when I watched you through the window.” 
I smiled nervously as I nodded. 
“I heard Laura offered you a picnic in the hopes to comfort you,” he continued. “Did something happen?” 
“His champion was murdered,” Laura answered. 
Grandpa Ben’s eyes widened, horrified. “Oh my goodness, that’s horrible! Who would do such a thing?” He then turned to me as he stepped closer, “I’m very sorry for your loss, Robert. She was a beautiful companion.” 
“Thank you, Grandpa Ben,” I smiled. 
He then looked at the both of us and said, “I suppose Laura is finding a way to distract you from what happened today.” 
“Grandpa Ben, if she isn’t allowed, I understand,” I quickly replied. “I don’t want her to get into trouble, especially in regards to her work and everything.” 
He continued to look at both of us and thought for a moment. With his chin resting on his hand, he said, “I don’t see anything wrong with what Laura said. If anything, to go outside is better than staying in your room all day.” He then put his hands on top of his cane and continued, “And besides, I’d rather she spent her time with you than anything else. She barely has any friends. And to know that she’s going to be with you, I’m certain she’s in good hands.”
“Are you sure, Grandpa Ben?” I repeated. 
“Of course! Just make sure she returns before dark and in one piece,” he winked. 
“I will not let anything happen to her. I won’t allow it,” I said. 
“I know you won’t,” he nodded. “Well, I need to return inside. You,” he pointed at us, “can continue whatever it is you were talking about.” He waved at us and left us to ourselves. 
“So, this afternoon?” she asked. 
I smiled, turning to her. She had a grin on her face, thrilled. “Well, Grandpa Ben gave us his permission. I guess I have no other choice, then.” 
“Okay then. I will wait for you at the hills. We can take Leo,” she replied. 
My pain broke as she said the place of our picnic. The hills. One of the places where we used to trot in. And her final resting place. 
“Robert?” she called, concerned. 
“I, um… I chose the hills to be Lady’s grave,” I said, my voice lowered. “Right by the very tree that we sit under.” 
“Oh, I’m sorry, Robert. I didn’t know that,” she quickly held my hand. “Well, I can think of a different place for us to go to.” 
I smiled at how quick she thought of it. “You seem to be all too-knowing about me.” 
“Your face gave it all away, Robert,” she replied. 
I sighed, holding her hands tighter. “Wait for me until I return. I must go back and take care of Lady’s burial,” I said. I then kissed her soft cheeks. I quickly stepped away from her and both of us were shocked. Even I didn’t expect for myself to do that. It just happened… naturally.