Show Me

6.

*Trigger warning: one brief mention of sexual assault.

Happiness was a strange entity. Once it was lost, you learned to just go through the motions, to skate through the days as they blended into a single monotonous blur. But then, it snuck back in gradually, like a sliver of sunlight filtering through the crack of a blind. You didn't expect it, you weren't prepared for it, and yet, it returned, unannounced, without declaration or fanfare; quietly, simply and it was then and only then you allowed yourself to question how exactly you'd lived devoid of it for so many years.

Nearly two and a half weeks had passed since he'd taken a monumental gamble and decided to tumble forward with his feelings, still slowly, still relying solely upon instinct but it all felt good. Damn good. More than that, he realized a solid week in, after their nightly phone call, it was natural. He liked talking to her and she liked to listen.

At first, it was hard to reconcile completely that he deserved her and this tentative, fragile thing they were embarking on. And a part of him was still concerned that it wasn't enough for her. They spoke daily and she'd come to meet him often after work, long after everyone else had gone home, bearing coffee or food and they'd talk for hours. Still, getting in the same physical space with both of their schedules proved difficult and he couldn't help but feel she'd eventually tire of seeing him on such a strange timeline.

He hadn't mentioned he was seeing her to anyone, not even his mother, though he suspected Lukas knew what was going on. And there was the matter of Lea. Sundays were reserved for her and he was contending with the still obtuse idea of introducing her to Stefani. She hadn't pushed; she never pushed about anything but he knew that Lea would most likely warm to her immediately and if they spent Sundays all together, it was extra time they could be in one another's presence.

The more they spoke and the precious time they did manage to fit in, the more he got to know who exactly she was and instinctually, he understood that wasn't something to take for granted. He got the feeling she didn't reveal all of herself to many people; to be allowed in on her hopes and her dreams of the future, along with her fears, was being permitted to be in on the most beautiful secret.

Stefani was loyal, almost to a fault.

He'd mentioned what James's insane plan was over the phone a few days later and she'd paused.

"I may be able to help. Bo's friend is a pastry chef, I believe. I could make a few phone calls, see if she knows anyone who could fill in," she'd mused.

In the end, Stacia had been the one to get James to agree to a fill-in for two weeks, after which they'd hired someone. Bo's recommendation had been fantastic and knowing he had some of the pressure off of him was a great relief to Bradley. Of course, he hadn't said how he had found Greg but his resume had spoken for itself and all was well.

Stefani was kind.

This he had known instantly but being around her had reinforced the notion. She treated everyone with an equal amount of respect and worth which Bradley, who'd witnessed his fair share of celebrities living in LA for as long as he had, knew wasn't always the case.

Stefani was funny.

When she told stories, no matter if it was an anecdote about her Italian Catholic father or something crazy that had gone down on one of her tours, she retold the tale exuberantly, her hands flying everywhere, with colorful language which she'd apologize for and in the next breath let out a litany of curses.

Stefani was affectionate.

It wasn't just about an attraction, though that was clearly there. It was as if she constantly had to be physically close; a hand pressed to his upper back, a brush of her fingers against his shoulder, pressing her hands into his, sitting so close that their knees touched. Her kisses hadn't changed. When her lips met his, she poured every single ounce of who she was into that feeling, into that moment. It always left him breathless, wanting more.