Miracle

Pt. 6

Lily practically flew home, her heart still thrumming from her unexpected encounter with Alexander. She shed her park clothes and swiftly changed into her crisp new work uniform, her mind replaying every word, every glance, every hesitant smile they’d exchanged. He actually seemed like a genuinely nice guy.

She settled onto her couch, lacing up her sneakers, when her orange cat, Momo, sauntered by, rubbing against her leg with a soft purr. "Hello, my handsome boy," Lily murmured, smiling as she stroked his soft fur. "Don't miss me too much while I'm at work. Hold down the fort for me." She’d had Momo for three years now, a housewarming gift from her mother. Though caring for another living creature could be a challenge, she never regretted it. "Do you think I'll ever meet the handsome man again, Momo?" she asked, half-joking. Momo merely looked up, his head tilted quizzically, before letting out a small "Meow." Lily laughed softly. "Hmm, you're so right. What a wise cat." She leaned down and kissed the top of his head before heading out the door.

At the planetarium, she met her new boss, Ivy. Ivy was a quiet woman, with kind eyes and a gentle demeanor. Lily immediately sensed a kindred spirit, someone she could easily get along with.
"And that concludes our journey through the cosmos for today! I hope you all enjoyed exploring the universe," Lily announced with a bright smile from the stage, her voice resonating through the darkened dome. The crowd before her applauded, then began to slowly file out, their murmurs of appreciation filling the space. Lily felt a surge of exhilaration. Her first planetary show was officially wrapped.

She hummed a quiet tune to herself, a buoyant melody of satisfaction, as she began tidying up the room for the next show. Just a few minutes later, a soft knock echoed from the door behind her.
"Hi! I just wanted to let you know you did great on your first show," Ivy's voice drifted in. Lily turned to see her new boss standing in the doorway, offering a sincere thumbs-up.

A warm wave of pride swelled in Lily's chest. "Thanks, Ivy," she replied, her smile genuine. "I'm just so immersed in all this stuff, I hope I'm explaining it well enough for normal people to understand." Ivy's smile softened, and she chuckled. "I'm sure they understood just fine, Lily. Keep up the good work." With that, she offered another encouraging nod and quietly slipped back out, closing the door behind her.

Lily turned back to her tidying, a fresh burst of energy coursing through her. Then, another knock, softer this time, but distinctly different.
"Aw, it seems I missed the show, hmm?" a deep, familiar voice purred from behind her. Lily instantly recognized it, a playful thrill shooting through her. But she decided to feign ignorance. "Well, there's another in a few minutes, but I'm sure I won't be seeing you there."
A rich, deep laugh rumbled behind her.

Lily turned, a grin already forming on her lips, to face Alex. He stood there, her forgotten book held casually in his hand.
"How did you find out I was working here?" she asked, feigning suspicion, her hands settling on her hips as she leaned back against a desk. "Stalking me or something?"

Alex gave a nonchalant shrug, his mind racing for a believable lie. "Well, it was just a process of elimination," he said smoothly, a charming grin playing on his lips as he took a few steps closer. He had, of course, simply sensed her exact location, a Guardian's innate ability, but she didn't need to know that. "There are only a couple of planetariums in town, so I took a guess. And here I am."
He extended the book towards her. "You forgot something at the park. Thought you'd want it back."

Lily took the book, her fingers brushing his for a fleeting second, sending a familiar jolt through her. She set it on the desk. "Thanks for bringing it," she said, her eyes twinkling. "But what happened to 'Oh, you'll never see me again,' huh?"

Alex tilted his head, struggling to suppress a laugh. "What can I say? I'm finding it very hard to stay away from you." His gaze held hers, a hint of genuine vulnerability in his blue eyes. "But I didn't just bring you your book for free. Now you'll have to do something for me."

Lily giggled, crossing her arms. "Oh, yeah? And what do you want in return?"
Alex felt his heart, or whatever passed for it in his angelic form, quicken in his chest at her playful tone. She was clearly starting to open up, to trust him. This was good, but also incredibly dangerous, a thought that immediately sent a pang of anxiety through him. "Umm..." He ran his fingers through his perfectly styled blonde hair, feigning a deep contemplation of the situation. "Let me take you to dinner tonight." He said it softly, his voice betraying a hint of hesitation.

It was, he knew, a terrible idea, given Victor's warning, but he simply couldn't deny the powerful pull he felt towards her. Lily's eyes widened in genuine shock. That was the last thing she'd expected him to say. Her heart fluttered. Reaching into her desk, she pulled out a Sharpie. Then, with a boldness that surprised even herself, she gently took Alex's hand and neatly wrote her address and number on the back of it.

Alex watched her, a pleased smile spreading across his face. She truly had grown in confidence since their first awkward meeting. "Wear something pretty for me tonight," he murmured, his eyes lingering on hers. "I'll pick you up at eight." He slid his hands into his pockets, his grin widening, then turned and walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him. Lily stood there, still holding the Sharpie, a pleasant shock washing over her as the reality of what had just happened truly sank in.

(Mia note:Hey if you like this story why not check out my other ones)