Deeper Than Sex

Chapter 4 : Permanent Changes

  Noah telling Alex he loved her, replayed in her mind all night. It was the sweetest sound. The sweetest melody. Alex was fully aware of how she felt about Noah but she wasn't ready to say the words yet. The court hearing started at 9:00am and the clock read, 1:30. "Okay Alex. Take your ass to sleep." An alert came to her phone. It was a text message from Noah. "I know you're still awake. Go to sleep, Crane. Lol."  Alex sucked her teeth as she smiled, "Check him out acting like he knows me." Alex replied to Noah's text with a heart emoji. 

  It felt like the moment Alex closed her eyes it was time to wake up again. She had a few text messages from Derek.  She vowed she wouldn't allow anyone or anything to come in between her being there for Noah. Derek included. She'd deal with him and their situation later. When Alex arrived at the courthouse she saw Noah standing outside. He kept checking his watch. She figured he was waiting for her. When Noah finally noticed Alex's car he walked over to her. He opened her car door.

  "Good morning."

  "Morning."

  "You look great."

  "Oh, I know."

  "Is that a new dress?"

  "I see someone has been working on their observation skills, hu?"

  Noah wasn't expecting her response. He was amused. "You are the only person who can bring a smile to my face at a time like this." They walked inside.

  Carlotta pulled up with Star, Simone and Davis. Star's attention was solely focused on the car that resembled Alex's. She knew there was no way in hell Alex was there. What reason did she have to be there? Star's thoughts were flowing a mile a minute. Carlotta hadn't fully put the car in park when Star abruptly got out the car. She got closer to the vehicle in question. 

  "Damn. This is Alex's car.  Carlotta, why is Alex here?" Star asked as if Carlotta had the answer.

  "I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine. The only thing on your mind should be this custody hearing. Everything else is irrelevant." Carlotta had no interest being in the middle of Alex, Star and Noah. Again.

  Simone didn't see what the big deal was. Star didn't ask Alex to accompany her to court. So, if Noah asked Alex, no harm no foul. 

  After Noah finished speaking with his lawyer, he asked Alex to stay back with him. Alex felt bad for both Star and Noah. Regardless of the outcome, someone she cared about would be deeply affected. 

  "Will you pray with me before we walk out?"

  Alex's eyebrows shot up. "Noah, you know I don't fully believe in all that.

  "Okay. You said you don't fully believe. So, there has to be a small part of you that does. Can that small part of you find it in your heart to pray with me?

 How could Alex say no to that. She couldn't.  "Alright. Let's do this."

  Noah held her hands, "God, whatever happens help me to be strong and not cave in if things don't go the way I want.  Thank you for bringing Alex back into my life..."

  Alex's eyes popped open. She wasn't expecting to hear her name. She couldn't understand how Noah had the mind or heart to think of her at such a critical moment. It further more solidified the type of man Noah had become. Something different was happening within Alex and it couldn't have come at the most inopportune time. She knew this wasn't time nor place to express herself but she knew she had to and soon.

  "All I want is the chance to be father to my son. Amen."

  "Amen." Alex could tell Noah was a ball of nerves. "Hey. You got this. Whatever happens I'm in your corner. Always."