Butterfly and Flame - Alina and Evan

"You took what I wanted"

Alina and Miranda stood up as soon as Christian walked in the room. He looked at them both and with a tentative smile raked his hand through his hair. "He's out of surgery and resting. He'll be in recovery for another few hours and then he'll be transported here. "Can I go to him? Christian? I want to be with him.... I need to be with him". Christian looked at Alina and although he understood her he was reticent to let her leave. "Please Christian, please let me go to him. We need to be together". He didn't have the heart to refuse her. "Alright, I'll take you but if it's to taxing for you or if there are complication....." she flung herself into his arms saying "there won't be. I can feel it. Thank you. Thank you!". Christian looked over the top of Alina's head at Miranda who's face shown all her emotions as she cupped her face with her own hands. She mouthed the words "thank you" and smiled softly at him.

Christian watched his brother drift in and out of sleep. The doctor had been in several times to check on him and said that he was confidant Evan would recover well but that there was some concern about his range of motion although he was young, healthy and very fit. Alina was by his side when he opened his eyes and they stared at one another before he fell asleep again. He asked Miranda to step out with him to give them some privacy now that he felt better about his brothers well-being. "Take a walk with me. We won't go far and we'll be minutes away." She nodded and they moved away from the small surgery center that was built on the island less than five years ago. The compound housed three separate homes, a surgical center, a full time vet for the animals and a small market and social hall of sorts. Outside of the compound was a small police station which really was nothing more than a well secured jail cell and an office. It had never been used until today. They stopped just beyond the trail that would take them down to the beach and he reached for Miranda's hand without being sure she would allow it. When she didn't resist he let out a pent up breath and led her to a small bench under some flowering foliage.
"Miranda"
"Christian"
They both looked at each other and while Miranda looked away, Christian looked down at his hands and then spoke again. "Miranda.... Thank you for your support. I know you are here for Alina and Evan but .... "Christian....stop. I'm not just here for them. I'm here for you too. After all we're friends now, aren't we?". He looked at her with a sort of sadness and nodded his head while pressing his lips together firmly. "Yes.. friends".

Miranda watched Christian and knew that he wanted to say more but he was holding back. She hoped he would reach for her but when he didn't she stood up and walked a short distance away to look out across the sea. Everything between them had happened like a whirlwind. He was everything a woman could ever want and more but was what she felt for him real, or was it all just a wild ride?. She knew he was good and kind but his world was so different and she had her feet firmly in Ash. It was illogical and impossible for him to make a life there, with her and her complicated life. Even if he chose to follow her there she was sure he would regret it one day and that she couldn't face. Better to never enter into a doomed relationship than to suffer from a broken heart forever. She turned to tell him exactly what she was feeling and walked right into the firm chest of a rock hard body. "Umf".

Christian was done waiting for the magical moment. He knew she was standing there searching for the right words to walk away from him and he needed to act now and decisively. Whatever happened he wouldn't be the one wondering what if. He stood and walked to her and before he could say a word she turned and ran right into his chest. Maybe the gods where on his side after all. This was a sign and he wasn't going to ignore it. He steadied her with his hands on her waist and held her close as she looked up at him. Her frown told him more than words could say so he chose not to use any and bent his head down and kissed her. She wasn't expecting it and she softly gasped giving him the entry he could only have hoped for. His tongue pushed past her lips and swept the sweetness of her mouth. When she moaned lightly he pressed her closer to himself and intensified the kiss putting all his desire and hopes in it. Willing her to deny what he knew she was feeling. He felt her relax slightly and he raised his hand from her waist to cradle her head and position it so that he could take her mouth with ease. He felt her breasts press up against him as well as her thighs against his own. His other hand drifted lower on her hip and there was no disguising now what he felt. A few seconds later she pressed her palms against his chest and tried to push him away as she pulled her mouth away from his. "Christian..... please". He knew it was now or never so he pressed her closer again taking her mouth once more in a slanted kiss that burned with his passion for her. Her hands finally raised beyond his chest and slowly found their way around his neck. He felt the moment she gave in and he took advantage of it by picking her up and moving toward the bench again with her in his arms as he sat down with her in his lap. "Miranda... I'm falling madly in love with you. Please don't deny me. Don't deny us a chance." Before she could say a word he kissed her deeply leaning her back in his arms and keeping her close on his lap and against his chest.