Time Goes On

Keeping an Open Mind

The rest of the night was a blast. Isaac cut out about half way through to hook up with the blonde. I am sure I would find out later what her name was.

The pack rode back together on the subway but instead of going back to our own dorms they all split up into their couples. That left me alone in my room with Derek. "So, you can sleep here tonight if you want but if you prefer you can go back to your hotel room." I was combing the braids out of my hair, trying to keep my hands busy. I didn't know how to handle the situation.

"Em, you need to calm down. I can hear your heart racing." Derek took my hands and had me look at him. I could instantly feel the grounding effect take hold. "That's better. Now, I want to sleep here with you. We don't have to do anything. I just want to hold you."

"You are a man though. One who has been sexually active and has needs. I know that. I just..." He cut me off.

"First of all, yes, I have been sexually active. But secondly, I am not some guy who requires it. I want to have a meaningful relationship with you. I also would like to say that I don't care who you have been with in the past. You are with me now and we will figure it out."

I blushed a bit. "Okay, to be completely honest, I haven't been with anyone. Since I have known you since being bitten, it has felt wrong to be with anyone that way. I would feel slimy and nauseous."

"So you are telling me that you have never had sex before?" I sat on my bed and hid my face in my hands.

"Yes I am a virgin." I could feel the blush spreading across my face and down to my chest. Again Derek pulled my hands away from my face and held them in his own.

"Emilia Livingston, do you know how sexy that is? My mate is untouched and pure. I get to show you the wonders that there are to have. That I get to be your one and only? Hopefully. That is incredibly sexy."

The sparkle in his eyes, and the smile on his face aided his smooth heart beat. I knew he wasn't just saying it to make me feel better. "You really think that? Your heart beat was smooth."

"I am being entirely honest. If we weren't taking things at our own pace, I would show you just how sexy that is." I could feel the heat pool low in my abdomen. I leaned forward and kissed him. His left hand left my right and reached up to hold my jaw.

"For tonight, I would like to just be here with you. I am not ready for that yet."

"Sounds perfect to me. Although I should double check that you don't mind me sleeping in just my boxer briefs? I don't have any night clothes here."

"Night clothes? What are you sixty?" He chuckled and kissed my forehead. "I don't mind. I will be in pjs though." He smiled at me and I stood up to get my pjs. My dresser was organized so I would have to go in a few drawers to get what I needed. "Now, I am not sure if I should just change infront of you?"

"I can turn around or close my eyes if you would prefer." I wasn't sure what to say. "Okay, I will close my eyes and lay on your bed." I smiled, he was learning to read me before I even knew what I wanted.

I stripped out of my outfit and put it in the hamper. Removing my bra, I pulled on my tank top and sleep pants. I threw my dirty socks at the hamper and stepped over to the sink in the room to wash the makeup off my face. Derek had known me since before I wore makeup daily. I wasn't nervous about him seeing me without it.

I climbed into the twin XL bed and squished under the covers. Derek stood and stripped down to his boxer breifs. When he was done, he climbed under the blankets and we shifted close to each other.

"This will be interesting." He chuckled.

"As long as you don't kick or punch in your sleep, then we are fine." I smiled again and he wrapped his arms around me. I had never gotten such a good night sleep.

The next few weeks were interesting. Having a new relationship was nice, exspecially since it was with Derek. Classes kept taking me away from him but that couldn't be helped. I was nervous about Valentines day though. It would be my first with my mate.

I was sitting with the girls and trying to figure out what to get him. "I have no clue. What should I get Derek?"

"You know him better than you think. For example, every year I get Boyd a new piece for his collection. He has a shelf back home that is covered in recipe books. Since he loves to cook. So I get him either a new one, or a vintage one that has something special about it."

Erica was smiling as she spoke wistfully. Alison smiled and said, "Scott is a pretty easy guy. He likes lacrosse and me. So last year I wore his jersey with nothing under it." I could almost feel myself gag.

"I did not need to know that about my brother. Sophia, you can keep your story to yourself if it involves sex with Stiles."

"He loves myths and magic. So I give him books and trinkets that have significance. Last year it was a crystal to store a memory in. He now has a memory of his mom that he can never lose."

I thought about Claudia Stilinski. She was a perfect mother, especially to Stiles. She would bake cookies with just him so they could be together. "Do you know which memory?"

"Something about a water fight in the back yard with all of you?" I smiled softly. I remembered that day well. The Sheriff shot at us with the hose and we all started to shoot back with water guns. Scott was with me and Stiles vs the parents. My mom looked on from the back porch since she was in and out of the hospital. It was one of the best days of my childhood.

"That was a pretty great day."

"You guys really do go back. Stiles keeps telling me stories about you from elementary school. My favorite is the one with glitter in Mr. Jonathan's room?"

That made me giggle. Scott had gotten glitter every where and was covered in it. Stiles tried to help but only made it worse and I got covered as well.

I had gotten a few ideas, but this wasn't going to be easy. We all went to the mall, in a suburb of New York, that afternoon. The boys separated from us girls and we went on the hunt for our gifts. Erica found her's for Boyd in the bookstore, Sophia found a focusing crystal for Stiles. Allison was looking through the sporting goods store for lacrosse gear for Scott. His didn't survive high school.

I was having no luck. Why was it so hard to shop for a man? I had known him for a few years now and he was my mate. How could it be so hard to find a gift for the man I was falling head over heels for?

I wandered into a jewelry store since I was running out of options. I looked through the displays and saw that they did custom engravings. I found a stainless steel tag and asked them to engrave the triskelion on it. I showed them the mark of it that had appeared so many years ago on my shoulder.

I also asked for a special saying that I knew Derek would recognize. I walked away with the tag and a chain to put it on. We all met up for dinner at the food court and went back to our dorms from there. I called Derek to say my good nights and fell asleep pretty quickly.

Two days later, it was Valentine's day. Derek confirmed our dinner reservation and said he would pick me up at six. "So where are you going to dinner?" I asked Erica.

"We are borrowing Derek's kitchen. Boyd wants to cook for me. So you should be aware that we will be there tonight in case."

"In case of what Erica? You know that Derek and I are not there yet."

"I thought maybe tonight that might change since it is Valentine's day." I wasn't sure what to think. I wasn't sure if I was ready for that. "It is really amazing Em. Sharing that moment with your mate is beyond compare. I know Derek. He would never do anything to make it hurt or uncomfortable for you. Trust me. When you finally take the plunge, it will change your world."

I smiled at her words and gave her a hug. "Thank you for trying to make me feel better. I know my mate. He is one of a kind and really incredible. Maybe I am ready."

"In that case, you should have an actual normal bed to have your first time in. I feel bad about using Derek's place." I smiled again.

"I appreciate you trying to accommodate me. But I think we will figure it out."