Committed ✦ Wilk

Eight

"So...the holidays are coming up," Sam said as we continued our walk through the park. I looked at him. "I want you to meet my family." I looked at him completely petrified like he was a mad man. He gave me a soft smile but it didn't make me feel any better. "It will be okay, everyone will love the two of you. Mom will be head over heels for Raina."

"I don't know, Sam...I mean I don't think any mother wants her son getting together with a girl that has a baby..."

"What does that have to do with anything?" He chuckled. "Who cares what anyone else thinks? You're a great mom, and a beautiful and amazing girl all around. My family will love you, my friends will love you, the fans-"

"No," I interrupted. "I'm not ready for any of that yet. "Friends and family are okay, but I can't with your fans yet. I know they all love you, but Raina is still so little and I don't want her introduced to that yet." I sighed. I didn't want to sound rude and ungrateful but I was absolutely terrified of something happening to her.

"Okay," he kissed my cheek. We walked around for quite some time just talking about everything like we always had. We talked about future plans, and music that he still wanted to release. We talked about his tour, and we even talked about my major in college. I asked about his friends and he told me fun and eventful stories that made us both laugh until it was hard to breathe. We fit together so perfectly and I felt to relaxed and at ease around him. I wanted to ask him about his opinion on meeting Alex at the diner, but I didn't want to get started in a sensitive subject when we were having such a great time. "Let's go get ice cream or something," he said completely out of the blue.

"What? It's kind of cold outside," I grinned. He shrugged.

"So? It's not a proper date unless ice cream is involved." He grinned causing me to smile as well.

"Well, the only quality place around here is a frozen yogurt place..."

"Even better," he said. We walked to the car hand in hand, and he turned up the music and sang loudly along with all of the songs that played on the station. I couldn't stop laughing the entire time, he was so lively and fun. I had never been around someone who was so carefree and enjoyed life like he did. He pulled up to the shop and we climbed out of the car. There were a few other people there--mainly groups of teenagers, but when I thought about it that's what we were too. "Come on...vanilla?" He raised his eyebrow as we sat down at one of the tables outside. He gestured towards my flavor choice and let out a chuckle. "And seriously strawberries and kiwi?"

"What? It's a lot healthier than that chocolate heart attack you're eating," I giggled. I took a spoonful of my frozen treat and sighed in satisfaction. It was simple yet wonderful at the same time.

"But it's good," he said referring to yogurt that was piled with chocolate candies and other sweets. "Here take a bite." I shook my head. "Come on, you'll see that it's amazing," I rolled my eyes and reluctantly took a bite. It was overly sweet and way too much chocolate for my liking. I scrunched my nose.

"I think I'll stick to mine," I smiled and he shook his head. We continued to laugh and joke around, and I countlessly wiped chocolate from the corners of his mouth. I was relaxed and completely at ease with him. "Thanks for taking me out tonight, by the way. It was wonderful," I said as we walked back into my apartment. He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on the top of my head.

"You deserved it," he said softly. He spun me around so I was now facing him and he kissed my lips gently. His hand moved down my side and he placed it on my thigh. I stumbled gently and his eyes focused on mine. I took a deep breath and grabbed his hand and pulled him down the hallway. We reached my doorframe and I turned around and gently slipped my arms around his neck. His height advantage made me have to stand on my toes, and I ran my fingers through his soft brown hair. I could have stood there forever staring into his eyes like that--it's like I could read every thought. He pushed me ever so gently and I landed on the cushiony mattress. He hovered over me and ripped off his shirt within seconds. I smiled softly and he kissed my cheek. "Are you sure?" He knew he was going to be my first since Alex, and he was respectful enough to not take advantage and to make sure that I was up for it. I nodded and I could feel his smile against my skin. He kissed my cheeks, my forehead, my lips, and moved down to my neck. I shivered from the cool touch of his lips on my skin and he caressed my sides lightly. There wasn't a nervous feeling in my stomach, and as a matter of fact I was completely calm. I knew he wasn't going to hurt me.

~

"Everything about tonight has been perfect," I say to him as we lay in my bed completely wrapped up in each other. He ran his fingers through my hair and as the morning drew closer I realized I needed to tell him. I didn't want to ruin the peace and tranquility but I couldn't keep it from him. "Sam...I have to tell you something."

"Anything, babe."

I sighed and looked down. "Alex wants Raina and I to meet him at this diner tomorrow for lunch. He wants to set up a visitation schedule."

"Okay, I'll go with you," he shrugged. I shook my head and sat up. I rested my head in my hands and he placed his hand on my back.

"No, you can't. He said only the two of us, and I'm afraid that if I bring you along then he'll try to hurt her. I don't care if he does something to me, but he can't hurt her. Alright? I can't let him hurt her."

"Okay," he whispered understandingly.