Sanctuary

Another week passed and the boys were back in the studio and things were getting better, I was getting better. That first day of work was a huge change as it was a little overwhelming, but by the end of the week, I was feeling better and maybe not the happiest I’ve ever been, remembering last week’s events, but it was pretty damn close. I’ve just been speaking to my friends via texts because of all of our work schedules, but we are all meeting up tonight at Miranda’s apartment for a girls night in and a sleepover like nearly all the ones I’ve had growing up, but I haven’t been without Alex, minus the me going to work, since this all happened and to be honest, I was worried about being without him for an entire night. I planned on putting all of that in the back of my mind and focus on enjoying myself for the night.

“So, Abby, how’ve you been over the past week?” Brielle asked.

“Good. Work has been amazing, but it was overwhelming on Monday. Outside of work, it’s been up and down, but I have Alex to help keep myself together.”

“That’s good to hear.” Kendra said with a smile.

“How’s Alex been since then?” Miranda asked.

“He’s been great. He’s a huge anchor and supportive, but, well...I have some other news.”

“What is it?”

“My mom’s coming to see me, but I don’t know when.”

“Really?” Brielle asked.

“Yeah. She sent that text she ends twice a year and I wasn’t gonna answer it, but I spoke to Alex and he agreed that I should call. I truly wanna reconcile with her. I miss that relationship we used to have.”

“That’s amazing. Your mom used to be so awesome.”

After all that talk of me, we set up Netflix and ordered pizza. While we watched our second movie, I began to think about Alex again and how much I missed him; I felt pathetic since I missed him when I sleep next to him every night and was similar to the feeling of a child being without his/her parents for the very first time. I tried to resist texting him, but I couldn’t help myself.

I miss you.

“Abby, are you okay?” she asked when I excused myself to the bathroom.

“No.” I said on the verge of tears.

She immediately wrapped her arms around me while I burst into tears for the millionth time in a week.

“Anything I can do?”

I shook my head.

“I miss him. I even texted him. How pathetic is that?”

“It’s not pathetic. You went through something incredibly traumatic and he’s your everything.”

I miss you, too. You want me to come get you?

“He’s too much. Look.”

She smiled.

“He loves you.”

“I’m gonna tell him no. I can do this.”

She hugged me again and I hugged her back.

“Are you good?”

“Yeah. Let’s get back to the movie.”

We got up off the bathroom floor and walked out, but not before I texted Alex back.

No. I’ll be fine. I just miss you.

“Is everything okay?” Kendra asked when we walked back into the living room.

“Yeah. I’m just missing Alex is all.”

Come the third movie, I fell asleep on the couch and had a great night’s sleep even without which was a step in the right direction.

“How’d you sleep last night?” Miranda asked.

“Great, but I missed sleeping with, literally sleeping with, that gorgeous man of mine.”

That caused everyone in that room to laugh.

“I’m curious about something.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t wanna be too nosy or anything, but have you guys ever talked about marriage?”

“No, but it’s crossed my mind. No one’s ever cared for me and loved me the way that he does, so I truly know he’s the one, but now’s a crazy time to even talk about it.”

“I think this time is good as any to talk about it, but it’s your decision.”

I nodded.

Ten minutes later, I left and headed back home. I found Alex in the shower and walked into the bathroom.

“Hey.”

“Hey Abby. Did you have fun last night?”

“Lots, but now I’m glad to be home.”

“Planning on a shower?”

“Oh, hell yeah.”

“Well, come join me. I just got in.”

I put on a huge smile. I hadn’t seen him naked since the night I moved in three weeks ago and immediately stripped.

“Coming in!”

I found out where he was, so I wouldn’t bump into him and stepped in. He kissed me and wrapped his arms around my waist while I managed to wrap my arms around his neck; I’m 5’7 and he’s 6’, So I was thankful for that.

“I missed you.” I said.

“I missed you, too.”

I buried my face in his neck and kissed it while he gave my ass a little squeeze and his hand travelled down my leg. I moaned and this time, it was on my own accord. It doesn’t take much to please me, especially in the bedroom or in this case, the shower.

“That feels so good.”

“It does?”

“Yes.”

”Well, let me know if something’s not right. Ok? I don’t wanna do anything you’re not ready for.”

He’s too sweet.

“Ok.” I said, smiling up at him.

He’s totally the one.

He squeezed the other cheek and moved a hand down to my vagina and began to rub it.

“Alex.” I moaned while digging my fingers into his skin.

“Yeah?”

“Fuck me.”

He picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He backed me up against the wall and began thrusting in and out. We were kissing heavily when I decided to bite his lip. He groaned and kept a tighter hold on me which was something I wasn’t comfortable with like I used to be.

“No.”

“What’s wrong?” he said, pausing.

“Don’t hold onto me so tightly.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

“Want me to continue?”

“Absolutely.”

He lossened up and began moving in and out again.

“Better?”

“So much.”

A few minutes later, I was on the verge of an orgasm.

“I’m almost there.” I said, now biting his neck.

I have a fetish for biting and Alex loves every bite I take and vice versa. He groaned and came as did I. Once he was soft, he pulled out and placed me back on the floor.

“Thank you. I missed that and didn’t realize how much I needed that.” I expressed.

“Thank you. I needed that too.”

We then proceeded to actually shower and stepped out ten minutes later. After I got dressed and dried my hair, I fell back onto our bed. He crawled onto the bed causing it to move which made me laugh.

“What?” he asked, laughing.

“The bed moved.”

“You are so weird.”

I laughed even more.

“I love you, you weirdo.”

“I love you, too.”

This is when he tickled me which caused another eruption of laughter. He pulled me onto him and I just relaxed into him.

“This is nice.” he said.

“You can say that again.”

I inhaled his scent, that cologne of his and melted into him.

“You smell so fucking good.”

He laughed again.

“So do you.”

“You smell better.” I said, running a hand through his amazing hair and looking up at him.

“You wanna go out for brunch and maybe even dinner?”

Both?

“Both sound good.”

“Good.” he said, smiling up at me.

We went to breakfast at the first place we ever had that meal together and Alex had the occasional people ask for his autograph and a picture, mostly they wanted a picture. Some over the past couple years were jealous, but that only made me laugh...internally, that is; today is one of those days. I shook my head once they left.

“How do you deal with people like that?”

“I’m simply used to it. Nothing’s gonna change my mind on who I love.”

“Seeing people jealous because of me was unheard of me until I met you. Is it bad that I take joy in it?”

“No. I actually like it.”

“How’s your breakfast?” he asked after we got our food.

“Delicious. Yours?”

We each ordered the same dish we had when we first ate here aka our third date; I had pigs in a blanket and he had a western omelette.

“Remember how frazzled you were? You worried so much about what you were wearing although we were out for breakfast. It was adorable.”

“I couldn’t help it. I was still in disbelief that you agreed to a third date with me.”

“Why?”

“Because you were/are the lead singer of my favorite band and I was simply a person who had been struggling all my life.”

“And I never said that it even mattered to me.”

The man was making me blush.

“You’re too much.”

He laughed.

When breakfast was over, we left and went back home for a long nap. He had a late night just like I did and if we were going out to dinner tonight, that’s exactly what we needed.

“You know, I’m so glad that my hair is easily fixable.” I said, looking in the mirror.

Alex came behind me and started to mess my hair up even more.

“Stop.” I said, swatting his hands away.

Then, I went and messed up his hair.

“Hey!” he said.

I laughed like a fiend.

“It’s only fair.”

He shook his head.

He had let me know in advance what kind of place were going to dinner at, so I picked out the most elegant dress I had in the closet and the heels to match it. I checked myself in the mirror once more before I walked down the hall and into the living room where Alex was.

"Hey." I said, standing in front of the tv since he was fixated on what he was watching.

"H-hey." he said, clearly speechless.

That was my intention.

"How do I look?"

"Stunning. Beautiful."

"Exactly the response I wanted." I said, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"It's the one you deserve." he said after we kissed.

Stop it, Romeo.

"Well, I'm ready if you're ready."

"I am."

"Let's go, handsome."

He smiled and took my hand.

He didn't tell me, but when we were on our last turn, I knew exactly where we were going. It was where we had our first date, but also where I work; I couldn't believe it.

"What do you think?" he asked when we pulled into the parking lot.

"I think it's absolutely perfect."

He opened my door just like he did on our first date and shut it when I was out of the car.

"What made you think of eating here?"

"It's where we went on our first date and now you work here, so I thought it'd be special."

"It is."

When we sat down, all I was feeling was happy and special.

"Do you remember what you had on our first date?"

"I had the chicken parmigiana and you had filet mignon. I've prepared both dishes in the past week of working here, actually."

I knew our waitress who was waiting on us and she looked at Alex then like they knew something I didn't; I decided not to say anything.

“Dessert?” he asked.

“Cannoli for me and tiramisu for you.”

He nodded.

“Wanna split?”

“Of course.”

After we ordered dessert, I excused myself to the restroom, but when I came back, I saw Alex getting out of his chair and on one knee. I was so speechless that I covered my mouth with one of my hands.

“Abby Marie Shaw, I never expected to meet someone so strong and with so much spirit in my life despite all the struggles in your life. I love and admire you more than you’ll ever know and I can’t imagine a life without you. Will you marry me?”

With tears in my eyes, I nodded and managed to squeak out a yes.

“Yes. Of course I’ll marry you.”

He smiled and came up to kiss me. I kissed him back with as much passion as I ever have. I’m engaged. I’m engaged to the man of my dreams.

Notes