Let Me Love You

Chapter 8

Norma laughed, lifting her head from where it was pressed against Alex's chest to look at him. "A date? I think it's a little late for that," she giggled.

He smiled slightly and nodded. "You're right, sorry."

She immediately picked up on the disappointment in his voice and reached up to stroke his cheek. "Of course I'll go on a date with you."

His eyes lit up and a smile spread across his face. "Really?"

She placed a gentle kiss on his lips. "I'd love to. What did you have in mind?" she asked when she pulled away.

"Well I have to go to that winter thing tonight and I was hoping you would come with me."

"What winter thing?"

"You know, downtown with all the lights and stuff... The winter festival," he smiled.

She began to feel a little nervous. Their bubble had been perfect but they hadn't been out together yet and she worried it might change things. But he sounded so hopeful that she couldn't resist him.

"Sounds lovely," she replied, snuggling back into his arms.

He squeezed her tighter, pressing a kiss to her head. "I have to go into the office for a few hours today and I was planning on leaving from there but I'll come back and pick you up first."

"No, that's okay. I'll just meet you there. You don't have to come all the way back here."

"Are you sure? I really don't mind, it's not that far."

"I'm totally sure. I was thinking about going to Portland to see Emma so I'm not even sure when I'll be back."

"Okay. How's Emma doing?"

"She's doing very well Dylan said. She's off the oxygen," she said with a wide smile.

He pulled back slightly to look at her. "Dylan?" he asked, a suspicious smile on his face.

"Yeah, he's been down there with her the whole time," she said, her eyes softening. His heart melted at the love in her eyes. She was different when she talked about her sons. She spoke softer and more thoughtfully and he could see with one look how much they meant to her.

"They're together?" he asked, unable to wipe the grin from his face.

"Apparently," she laughed before glancing down at his chest. "It's weird how people aren't at all together and then all of a sudden they are."

He watched her for a moment, waiting for her to meet his gaze and when she finally did, he took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

"I love you, Norma."

Her eyes fell shut and she smiled softly. "I love you too."

He watched the way the light danced on the backs of her eyelids. The way it made her hair shimmer like gold. He fiddled with her fingers, feeling her soft, perfect skin against his and realized in that moment that he had never been happier.

"Come on," he said suddenly, throwing the sheet off his body and climbing out of bed.

Her eyes flew open and she sat up to stare at him. "Where are we going?" she asked, her eyes inadvertently drifting down his perfect body. She couldn't tear her eyes away as he walked around the bed toward her.

He smirked, reaching for her hand and pulled her out of bed.

"Let's take a shower," he whispered, twining his arms around her naked waist and pressed a kiss to her neck.