Sparks Fly- L.N

Chapter 35

When Elenore woke up that morning, she felt light. For the first time in months, happiness had found its way back into her heart. She found herself on Lando's couch, wrapped in one of his shirts—the tangible comfort of his presence lingering. However, Lando had retreated to his own bed. Elenore wanted to take things slow and savor the rekindling of their connection.Lando emerged from his bedroom, his hair tousled, clad only in his boxers. He glanced at Elenore on the couch and let out a sleepy yawn.
"Why did you leave?" he mumbled, sitting down beside her and rubbing his eyes.
"I think we should take it slow," she replied with a soft smile.
"But I sleep better with you by my side," he groaned.
"Lan, I think it's for the better," she said, gently caressing his cheek.
"Nope," he protested, pulling her into his lap. "I want you as close to me as possible at all times."
"Clingy, are we?" she teased, laughter dancing in her eyes.
"I've been missing you for over six months. Forgive me for being clingy," he whispered, nuzzling into the crook of her neck.
"Lando," she giggled, pushing him away lightly. "Remember, ask me out on a date first." She winked and stood up.
"God, you are a pain in the ass."
"Get used to it," she laughed, heading to the bathroom.

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Lando had an afternoon meeting, so Elenore decided to spend some time at her mom's place. As she walked through the front door, her mom greeted her with warmth and a tight hug.
"Oh, my baby is back home," her mom exclaimed, studying her face.
"You look tired, baby."
"I'm okay, Mama," Elenore reassured her with a weak smile. "It's just been a lot."
"How are things with... you know?" her mom inquired, her tone delicate.
"Lando?" Elenore completed the question.
"Well, we have decided to try again." A genuine smile graced her face.
"Oh, honey, I am so happy for you!" Her mom beamed and hugged her daughter again.

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Text Messages
Lando: Hey, where are you?
Elenore: At Mama's place.
Lando: How's it going?
Elenore: It's good. How about you?
Lando: Can you come back to my place? I need to ask you something.Elenore:
Sure, I'll be there in 10!

Elenore returned to Lando's place to find him with a beaming smile.
"Hi," he greeted her.
"Hey," she closed the door behind her.
"What's up?"
"I want to show you something," he said, taking her hand.
"Follow me." Leading her to the balcony, he revealed a setup with lit candles, her favorite flowers, peonies, and two glasses of champagne.
"I know you want me to ask you out on a date," he admitted, guiding her to a cozy lounge area. "But, Elenore, no date could ever be enough. I want to give you the world, but maybe I can start with this. I remember when you told me about how you could sit and watch this sea and just talk for hours. So that's what I want us to do—I want us to catch up and connect." He smiled softly, his cheeks tinged with a blush.
"This is the perfect date," she replied with a heartfelt smile.

Lando poured the champagne, handing a glass to Elenore. As they clinked glasses, a symphony of candlelight danced around them. The evening breeze carried the scent of the sea, intertwining with the fragrance of peonies. They settled into the plush cushions, the atmosphere saturated with a mixture of nostalgia and hope. The sound of waves crashing against the shore provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Lando began talking about his day, how the meeting had ended with two grown men yelling at each other because one of them bought lunch for the entire office. Lando was laughing through the entire thing, Elenore listened attentively, her eyes reflecting a myriad of emotions. There was a sense of familiarity in the rhythm of Lando's voice.

As the night unfolded, they delved into deeper discussions. They talked about the lessons they had learned during their time apart, the personal growth that had occurred, and the realization of how much they had missed each other. It was a gentle exploration of the wounds that had healed and the scars that remained. Lando's vulnerability matched Elenore's openness. They acknowledged the mistakes made, the hurt caused, and the profound love that had survived it all. It was a reckoning, a cathartic release of pent-up emotions that paved the way for a fresh start. In the soft glow of candlelight, Lando reached out to hold Elenore's hand.
"I've missed this," he admitted, his gaze locked onto hers. She smiled, a mixture of sadness and joy in her eyes.
"I've missed you." Lando took a deep breath, gathering his courage.
"Elenore, I want to make things right. I want to be the person you deserve. Will you give us another chance?" Elenore's heart fluttered as she met his earnest gaze. At that moment, the weight of the past seemed to dissipate, leaving room for the possibility of a shared future. She nodded, a tear escaping her eye.
"Yes, Lando. I believe in us." He smiled widely and hugged her.
"We'll take it slow, one day at a time." She nodded and smiled.

This was all she could wish for, he was here, with her and no one could split them.