When Dante meets Shakespeare

10. Be by my side

"Come oooon Jenny, we all know you don't love this man!"
"Shut up and sit Michael!" Alexis said.
"Shut your mouth little slight girl!" Michael said. He was drunk and shouting at the top of his lungs.
"You bastard! Leave, now!" Jake, Alexis's dad, ran onto Michael who was now screaming against him.
"Or what? Will you take me away from you little girl? She won't never leave me..she's mine!" Michael hissed. "Michael please stop. It's over. You're not able to control yourself and I'm tired of this. I can't go on." Alexis said sobbing. "You what? Say that again!" Michael screamed and slapped Alexis's face as she fell on the floor from the hurt. Jenny and Lilly ran over her and helped Alexis getting up. "Who are you? What have you done to my brother?" Lilly said coughing as her illness was starting to arise. "Lilly stay calm, please" Jenny asked. "I am your brother and always will be. And I will be your man too, Alexis. Don't try to hide from me, I will find you." Michael said in a low voice.

"No...no please stop. Michael please stop! NO!" Alexis screamed and got up from the bed. She was breathing heavily as a warm hand touched her back lightly "DON'T TOUCH ME!" She screamed, not realizing who was sitting beside her. "Hey Aly, it's me. It's Ben. Calm down. Breathe." Benedict whispered. Alexis started to cry hard and Benedict held her as she was started to sob. "Hush babe, it's all over. It was just a nightmare. Hush..." he whispered as Alexis was starting to breathe normally. "I'm sorry Ben, I'm terribly sorry..." Alexis managed to say in between her tears. "Why are you sorry? It's not your fault and you don't deserve this. Calm down now. Breathe. I'm here, I'm not going anywhere." Benedict said cuddling Alexis on the bed. "Thank you Ben." She said and looked up at him. Even in the dark she could see his beautiful eyes shining and felt really lucky to be in his arms. "Thank you" Alexis repeated and stood on her knees to face Benedict. She grabbed his neck and crashed her lips on his. After what felt like ages Benedict parted a bit and said "Let's go back to sleep princess." "Yes, my lord." Alexis replied smiling.

Alexis woke up late that morning feeling strangely happy even after that awful evening. She moved in the bed and realized she wasn't at her place. She blinked a few times before opening her eyes wide. The room was big and all was white and glowing. A soft scent of lemon and spices came from the sheets of the bed and she scented it deeply, smiling. Benedict's room was big and warm and Alexis felt herself safe under those covers. Suddenly, a voice from downstairs made Alexis smile:

"Soooo Sally could wait,
She knows it's too late..."

"Oh Ben..." Alexis said laughing lightly. She got up from the bed and put on one of Benedict's dressing gowns. It was a silky blue one, his favorite. She stepped in the kitchen tiptoeing and found Benedict at the counter cooking for breakfast. He was wearing his pajama trousers and a white shirt and was humming while cooking. Alexis reached him from behind and put her around his torso. "Oh hey! Good morning precious mine!" Benedict said and turned to face Alexis. "Good morning my king." She said placing her lips on his. "You know what? This dressing gown suits you better then how it suits on me" Benedict said rubbing Alexis's back. "Great! I'll steal it then! I like it so much!" Alexis said and reached a strawberry from a basket on the counter.

Benedict cooked some pancakes for Alexis and both had a lovely breakfast on the terrace. It was a warm day so the enjoyed the sun hitting their faces. "Ben, we are supposed to be at school now." Alexis suddenly said concerned. "No we aren't. Matt spoke to Graves. It's our day off." Benedict replied smiling. "I am supposed to make a good impression on him and this is not helping in the purpose. Plus, Graves isn't stupid, he'll find out that we are in a relationship after today." Alexis said. "First, you're a great professor and your children can't wait to have you back. Second, Graves IS stupid despite what he tries to show. So don't worry, today is our day off." Benedict replied grabbing Alexis's hand. They stared at each other for a long time, getting lost in their eyes without saying a word. After a moment Benedict started again "Listen, I'm sorry for what I'm about to say but I have to ask you. Yesterday, after I, well..." "Go on.." Alexis said "Yes. Well, after that thing I did yesterday you said something. Do you remember?" Benedict said, his eyes sparkling. Alexis replied "I do, yes. Erm, Ben, I'm sorry if I said what I said but we were both under pressure and didn't think before talking and..." "So you didn't mean that?" Benedict was worried and knitted his brows together. "Erm..." "Aly, please, I need to know." "I meant every single word I said yesterday." Alexis said firmly. Benedict widened his eyes a smiled. His soft, beautiful smile. "Say that again. Please." He asked kneeling in front of Alexis. She held her breath before whispering "I love you Benedict. I truly love you." "And I love you too, Aly. From the very first time I saw you I felt my heart bigger. You complete me and I'll be by your side as long as you want." Benedict replied crying in joy. Alexis smiled widely and kneeled down in front of him, hugging him tight.

"Oh my God did they seriously have a fight?" Annie asked concerned. "Yes. That guy is really dangerous. I hope we won't see him again. Those two are trying to have a normal life even where it's not possible. And this Michael is not helping in the purpose." Matthew said a bit concerned. "They'll figure it out. They love each other and make it all possible." Annie said patting her hand on Matthew's shoulder. "Professor Goode! In my office, please. I have to clarify something." Director Graves called from his office. Matthew took a deep breath and looked at Annie. "No worries. Go as normal as possible, it'll be fine." She blinked.