Is This Real Love?

Part 3

Steve watched Della sleep for most of the night. Around six am Della had gotten to fix some tea alobg with his pack of cigarettes on the edge of the lamp table. Her thumb runs across this lips as she too love this man. To Della, Steve is her hero. Saving her at anytime of day. The only person that is in her way is his mother.

Della will forever understand why Kelly wouldn't want them to be with each other. Della's sadness over comes her as she moves away from him.

Forcing herself on making him go on dates kills her. But he would be safe from her, in case of she did relapse that he would be taken care of. Never have to worry about her again. She would sacrifice her life to keep him alive.

Making toast and pancakes with muffins. His alarm went off as she pulls out the muffins. Calling out her name. "Kitchen."

Cigarette in one hand tea cup in another. "Yes I know you don't always have to make me breakfast every time I come over."

"Well I want too." Della took the muffins and put them on the plate.

Sitting on the stool. "You spoil me Del."

"Like you do with me. Fair is fair."

Della and Steve ate breakfast. Looking at his watch, Steve groans. Della smiled. "I wish that you can stay Steve."

"Me too."

Grabbing his bag patting Billy and kissing Della's cheek. "I'll see you next week."

"Steve.. before you go. You know it wouldn't hurt to see this girl that your mom wants you to see."

Shaking his head as he sighed. "No Della. I'm fine. I need keep my head at work." He hates that Della does this. Kissing her cheek once more. "I'll see you soon." Pointing to Billy. "Take care of your mom."

He got into the car as they both waved to each other. Driving he felt bad for leaving her. Steve hated it. He wanted to stay with her. Begging her to come with him would do no good.

Bones was coming out of his office with a smirk on his face. "So I'm guessing you went to Della's."

"I did." Steve sat down at his desk.

"Right. Can't the two of you date already?"

"And ruin our friendship? No way. If I have to hide my feelings then I'm going to do so."

Steve and Bones left it there. Weeks went on as Steve went on the date with this girl named Elizabeth. He knew that he was going to hate being there. But this would make his mother happy.

Elizabeth, blonde, blue eyes, green dress. Skinny. Beautiful smile. Steve sotra smiled at her. She was definitely not his type. But he went along with it.

They had nothing in common, they would go around in circles. Steve did his best by being nice to her. Walking her to her car. He could not wait to tell Della this when he got home.

Steve sat in his lazy chair leaning back with his feet propped up. Drink in his left hand while his cigarette in his right. Phone up to his ear. "I know she didn't seem like she was happy with the date. I don't think there is going to be a third one."

'Oh brother. I'm sorry that it wasn't fun for you.'

"It's alright. I just hope mother wasn't looking forward on meeting her."

'Steve you know that she was. Kelly wants you to start a family.'

"I know. I want to as well. But I'm at the start of my career. I wish she would see that."

'I see it. But I only want you to be happy Steve.'

"Having you on my side is all I can ask for."

Well Elizabeth called the next day asking for another try to do something a little more fun like bowling. Steve agreed to it. Elizabeth just isn't Della, not placing bets, just boring old bowling. Which is nothing wrong it. It's just he likes to make it a little bit more fun.

"Really you make bets on these types of games?" She wasn't to pleased by it.

"Yeah." He didn't know what else to say at this point. "We don't have too it's just an idea."

"I see." Getting up from her table grabbing the bowling ball she slid the ball down the aisle and hit four pins.

Elizabeth was cold and cut dry. Not meaning to be. But it was just the way she acted.

So Steve thought it would be okay for Elizabeth to meet Steve friends, Andrew and his wife Casey. Bones and Della.

All of them made bets with each other about winning or losing. Elizabeth didn't get it. "It's okay. No worries." Della said to Elizabeth. "It takes time."

"It's stupid, just play the game as it is."

Backing away Della smiled as Bones rolled next. "Okay Della, if I win this round you have to go skinny dipping."

Petting Billy, while Della was sitting back down. "Okay your on. And if I win Bones you have to do the same."

Elizabeth was in shock. "Well I would never."

Steve calmed her down. "It's just for fun. They're playing against each other. It doesn't include us."

Elizabeth nods as she smiled. Kissed his cheek. "Thank you Steve." Whipping the lipstick away she giggled a little bit.

Bones walked back after he bowled and mutter over to Della. "For real?"

It made Della realize that Steve needed to be happy more than ever. And that is what Elizabeth was doing. So it seemed to her. Shrugging her shoulders as she bowled, Della hit all the pins.

Not saying anything after she hit all the pins, Della took Billy outside so he can potty. Steve joined her as he smoked. "So??"

"If your happy with her and I couldn't be more happier for you Steve." They were so lying to each other.

"I want you to be happy as well Della."

"When I find the right one I will be. For now it will be just Billy and I." She patted Billy's head before he went to the bathroom.