Time Is All We Need

Chapter 5

Emily picked Alison up, twenty minutes early, for their evening out together. Alison didn't really know what to expect. She had been told to wear something comfortable, and specifically something that was warm. She was given no other directions, but the blonde rolled with it. Alison wasn't as nervous this time around. Maybe it was the fact that the two had been texting back and forth throughout the week, but whatever it was she was thankful for it. She hated when she made herself out to be a fool in front of anyone, especially Emily.

Emily was silent on their drive to the unknown destination. Alison had not so subtly stared at the girl, completely undetected by Emily. She was wearing a similar outfit to the one she wore last time Alison had seen her; instead of jeans this time she wore a pair of dark grey sweatpants. She loved the sight of the brunette in a pair of baggy sweats. She felt overdressed compared to Emily, but she herself felt that the pair of skinny jeans she was wearing, were inappropriate for a date. Now, she realized that Emily didn't care what either of them looked like, she just wanted to spend time with the blonde, and really, Alison should have known this sooner.

Emily stopped the truck, and grabbed a bag from the back before she met Alison at the front of her truck. Emily took her hand and led her to their destination. Alison took in her surroundings, feeling like the place was familiar but she couldn't decipher where she had seen it before. Emily stopped at the middle of the hill in front of the pond, sat everything down, and joined the items on the cool grass. Alison stood, still admiring the view around them. They were almost completely surrounded by trees, that were in a perfect circle around the pond in the middle of the grass. The moonlight reflected so perfectly against the water, something that Alison had always adored about water.

Emily tugged on the blonde's hand, wanting her to join her for their small little picnic. "I know it's not much but...there's ham, turkey, bologna, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich." Emily said pulling out the various sandwiches from the bag, "I didn't know what was your favorite, so I made everything I had."

Alison smiled, and took the turkey sandwich along with a water bottle and the carrots and celery Emily had packed for them. It was simple. "How was work?" Emily asked, taking a bite out of her carrot.

"Not a good one today, my patient died on the table."

"I'm sorry." Emily felt bad for bringing it up. She had asked the blonde every day how her day at work went and everyday thus far she had raved about work. Emily liked hearing Alison's work day stories. They were much better and much more interesting than any story she had ever heard at the station. "Do you recognize this place?" Emily looked away from the blonde, and at the sight before them, in an attempt to lighten the girl's mood.

"Kind of." The blonde answered, her face scrunched as she tried to think of how she knew this place. "Should I?" She asked turning to Emily, who smiled and nodded her head. "Hmm." Emily hummed, keeping her eyes on the pond in front of her. Alison wiped her mouth with a napkin and set it in the garbage pile.

"It's a painting in your hospital." Emily's voice came out so monotone, Alison had to check to make sure that it was actually her who had said it. The moonlight shined in Emily's eyes as she sat there staring at the pond. The light bulb went off in Alison's mind as she thought to all of the art in the hospital. Alison remembered the painting now, the first time she passed it, she stood there for minutes admiring the piece.

"How-"

"I painted it."

Emily had explained that painting was her second job. She told Alison all about her paintings on their drive back to Emily's apartment. She wanted to show Alison her studio, since she was the one who had inspired her so much recently, but of course she didn't voice that to the blonde. Emily unlocked her apartment door and let Alison walk in first. She could only imagine what she thought of Emily's little place compared to her neat and modern home. Alison was surprised to see how Emily lived, but at the same time she wasn't. She figured either Emily was rolling in money, or she didn't have very much. She felt like the place reflected Emily well though, but it definitely wasn't a place she would want to have people over. No kitchen table, no television, and basically no seating, does not equal a good recipe for company.